Tinubu will work with Atiku, Obi, says FG, SANs hail S’Court

The Federal Government has said that in spite of Thursday’s judgment that affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu, he is open to working with the major contenders in the February 25 presidential election; Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this on Friday as a sequel to Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Tinubu as the winner of the election while dismissing the appeals filed by Obi and Atiku. The apex court on Thursday upheld the September 6 ruling of the Presidential Election Petitions Court. The five-member panel of the PEPC, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the petitions by Atiku, Obi and the Allied People’s Movement challenging Tinubu’s victory. Dissatisfied by the ruling of the PEPC, the PDP and LP presidential candidates filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. They respectively asked the apex court to annul Tinubu’s victory and declare them as winners. The seven-man panel of the Supreme Court was led by Justice Inyang Okoro, while other justices on the panel were Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Agim agreed with the lead judgment dismissing Atiku and Obi’s appeals. But following the Supreme Court’s Thursday ruling that brought the litigation to a conclusive end, the minister in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday night said the President remained open to work with the opposition. Asked if Tinubu would be ready to work with both Atiku and Obi, Idris stated, “Since the President won this election, he has always invited people to come and join him for the good of Nigeria. Mr President is not the kind of person to say ‘I have become president, everybody should go away’. No. They (Atiku and Obi) are the ones that have not heeded that call. “Anytime any of them is willing to join hands with the President, why not? The President is open and willing to accommodate everybody, irrespective of religious, social and political affiliation so that we can all join hands for Nigeria to go forward.” Earlier at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, he called on Nigerians to put the election matters behind them and join hands together with the government to tackle the myriads of challenges confronting the nation. He said the President had made it clear that he would be a President for all Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, ethnic, partisan or religious affiliations. He added that Tinubu, since assuming office on May 29, had been working tirelessly to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda that formed the basis of his campaign. He stated further, “The courts have spoken and the President and the governing party, the All Progressives Congress, have welcomed this judicial victory as pronounced. We thank the judiciary for the painstaking work that they have done and for rising up to the occasion in fulfilment of their constitutional mandate as the final arbiters of electoral proceedings in the country. “Now that the legal contest regarding the outcome of the presidential election is now behind us, it is time for all of us to come together and move forward, into a season of governing that is without distraction. Tinubu will work with Atiku, Obi, says FG, SANs hail S’Court 28th October 2023 Tinubu, Obi and Atiku Tinubu, Obi and Atiku Tunde Ajaja, Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, Godfrey George, Ayoola Olasupo, Daniel Ayantoye, Muhammed Lawal and Daniels Igoni Govt planning national discourse on unity – Minister Jonathan visits Aso Villa, ex-VP deserves rest, says aide The Federal Government has said that in spite of Thursday’s judgment that affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu, he is open to working with the major contenders in the February 25 presidential election; Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this on Friday as a sequel to Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Tinubu as the winner of the election while dismissing the appeals filed by Obi and Atiku. The apex court on Thursday upheld the September 6 ruling of the Presidential Election Petitions Court. The five-member panel of the PEPC, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the petitions by Atiku, Obi and the Allied People’s Movement challenging Tinubu’s victory. Dissatisfied by the ruling of the PEPC, the PDP and LP presidential candidates filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. They respectively asked the apex court to annul Tinubu’s victory and declare them as winners. The seven-man panel of the Supreme Court was led by Justice Inyang Okoro, while other justices on the panel were Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Agim agreed with the lead judgment dismissing Atiku and Obi’s appeals. But following the Supreme Court’s Thursday ruling that brought the litigation to a conclusive end, the minister in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday night said the President remained open to work with the opposition. Asked if Tinubu would be ready to work with both Atiku and Obi, Idris stated, “Since the President won this election, he has always invited people to come and join him for the good of Nigeria. Mr President is not the kind of person to say ‘I have become president, everybody should go away’. No. They (Atiku and Obi) are the ones that have not heeded that call. “Anytime any of them is willing to join hands with the President, why not? The President is open and willing to accommodate everybody, irrespective of religious, social and political affiliation so that we can all join hands for Nigeria to go forward.” Earlier at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, he called on Nigerians to put the election matters behind them and join hands together with the government to tackle the myriads of challenges confronting the nation. He said the President had made it clear that he would be a President for all Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, ethnic, partisan or religious affiliations. He added that Tinubu, since assuming office on May 29, had been working tirelessly to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda that formed the basis of his campaign. He stated further, “The courts have spoken and the President and the governing party, the All Progressives Congress, have welcomed this judicial victory as pronounced. We thank the judiciary for the painstaking work that they have done and for rising up to the occasion in fulfilment of their constitutional mandate as the final arbiters of electoral proceedings in the country. “Now that the legal contest regarding the outcome of the presidential election is now behind us, it is time for all of us to come together and move forward, into a season of governing that is without distraction. “These are indeed challenging economic times, not just for Nigeria, but also for many countries around the world, and all hands must be on deck to tackle the challenges confronting us.” Govt plans discourse In a related development, the minister said the Federal Government was planning a national discourse to address the issues of national values and unity. He stressed that the discourse would be distinct from the constitutional conference organised by previous governments, saying this had nothing to do with the constitution but national orientation. He stated in the interview, “It’s true the Federal Government is planning a national discourse for national orientation. It’s a discourse for us to look at our nation again and decide where we want to be as a nation, and citizens and everybody would key into that. “Everybody knows what they are expecting from Nigeria and citizens can also do a lot for their country. We need to agree on the kind of nation we want to build. What our founding fathers left for us is gradually being eroded. Trust in the leadership has waned over the years and that is clear. “We must agree on what we want as a country, where we want to be and then work collectively towards achieving that. There would be a national discourse so that Nigerians would have the consciousness about their country and strive towards keeping that for the benefit of all.” Asked when the discourse would hold, he said the decision had yet to be taken but that it would hold soon, noting, “The previous ones were for constitutional reforms but this one is about all the key segments of the society coming together; youth, women, elders, religious leaders, professionals. There will be representation. We will come together to agree on the set values that we want to promote as a country so that everybody will move in that direction. The difference is that this is about value orientation that all of us will collectively agree on.” Hardship temporary – Minister The minister also said the President had implemented reforms that would yield benefits for all and serve as the necessary foundation for economic growth and prosperity Nigerians deserve, noting that the pain being experienced would only last a short time. He noted that the removal of petrol subsidy, envisaged by the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 was freeing up significant resources for federal and state governments to invest in infrastructure and welfare programmes for the citizens. He said the harmonisation of the foreign exchange regime was to close loopholes that had been exploited over the years, leading to the loss of billions of dollars. He added, “The combined impact of these reforms, no doubt, has produced pain for many of our citizens, which the President and the administration have never shied away from acknowledging. No serious government seeks to inflict burdens on its people. “We are very clear in explaining that these pains being felt are a short-term sacrifice to make for the kind of country that we want and that we deserve.” He outlined some of the efforts so far made in the short and medium term, including the monthly provisional wage increment of N35,000 for six months, establishment of an Infrastructure Support Fund for states to invest in critical areas that would create an enabling environment for businesses; launch of a N100bn CNG bus rollout programme to deliver CNG-powered buses and establishment of a presidential committee to drive implementation. APC, Onanuga speak The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also said the President had never hidden his intention to work harmoniously with the opposition. He stated, “If you read the president’s statement yesterday (Thursday), you will notice he extended out an olive branch to them, saying he will welcome their participation in his government. This has been consistent with his declaration on May 29 when he came in. “He said he sees it as a normal thing in democracy for them to contest his victory and still regard all of them as brothers, members of the same family living in the same house but in different rooms. “The President stands by that declaration and will always welcome them. You remember he said he was not a ‘superman’ but a human being that will always welcome alternative ideas that the opposition may also provide. The ball is now in their court to take the olive branch President Tinubu has extended to them.” He said they observed that 24 hours after the Supreme Court judgment, both Atiku and Obi had kept mute. When reminded that Obi was not in the country, the presidential aide said distance was not an obstacle, adding, “The world is a global village. Wherever Obi is at the moment, nothing stops him from congratulating the President. That will be his demonstration that he has forgotten all about this election matter and is ready to uphold the verdict of the Supreme Court, which we know is also final.” Speaking on reports that Tinubu might use the reconciliation process as a smokescreen to go after his political opponents after the judgment, Onanuga dismissed the notion, saying, “President Tinubu is a democrat who won the election free and fair. He is also an accommodating president who welcomes ideas. The President is not someone who believes anybody with a contrary opinion must be alienated. No, they are Nigerians too.” Also, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said Tinubu deserved to be commended for walking his talks, adding that the appointment of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, were a testament that he was indeed running an inclusive government. He added, “It goes without saying that the APC is a progressive party. Right from the very beginning, the President has made it very clear that he wants to carry everyone along. The idea is to renew the hope of Nigerians and give them a new sense of belonging and direction. “Regardless of where you belong, as long as you have something to contribute to the progress of Nigeria, you will be welcome by the president and the ruling party. What Atiku and others have done by going to court instead of resorting to the use of cutlass is a welcome democratic process. But now that the Supreme Court has affirmed the legitimacy of the president, it is for them to be good sportsmen by coming on board and contributing to the progress of Nigeria.” Jonathan visits Villa Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday visited Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, saying with the elections over, past and present leaders and the electorate must work together for a better future. “Elections are over and so we must move forward. Yes, we have challenges economically now, but we still have what it takes to lead Africa,” Jonathan affirmed while speaking to State House Correspondents after he emerged from closed-door talks with the President. Referring to his active role in peace and diplomacy in West Africa and across the continent, the former President said he had been actively involved in regional dialogues with plans to visit Kenya and Liberia in the coming days. Commenting on the court judgment, Jonathan said, “We need to bring all our political leaders together. If top leaders continue fighting, they might not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will.” Diri explains visit Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, clarified his visit to the Villa on Thursday, where he was seen felicitating with the President in his office after the Supreme Court judgment. Speaking at Igbedi community in Constituency 2 of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state during the visit of the PDP governorship campaign on Friday, Diri said he was at liberty to congratulate the President following the Supreme Court verdict on the presidential election. A statement by his spokesperson and member of the Publicity Directorate of the Bayelsa PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying he was at the presidential villa to discuss serious state matters with the president, whom he said attended to the issues positively. He stated, “Yesterday (Thursday), I was in Abuja and most of you saw the video trending. The opposition is now jittery and is telling lies. Of course, that is in their character. As a sitting governor, there is a sitting President and I do not owe them any explanation about my visit to the president. “If the Supreme Court affirms the president of the country, as a sitting governor, I reserve all the rights to visit him. But beyond that, I went for very serious state business and I can tell you that Mr President attended to all the issues I raised. Those whose names have been delisted by amendment number one of INEC can no longer sleep. They will continue to have sleepless nights.” SANs hail judgment Some senior lawyers on Friday hailed the Supreme Court judgment, as some of them also demanded accountability from the Independent National Electoral Commission. Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said the judgment of the apex court was in tandem with the law of the land, adding, “I think the judgment generally represents the position of the law in accordance with electoral jurisprudence, which is quite a technical aspect of the law that is difficult to assail. Even if the lawyers of the petitioners were changed to represent the respondents, the result would have been the same. “The problem with this is that the people who are challenging the elections don’t have access to the election materials because they are in the hands of the electoral umpire.” He added that the statement made by one of the Justices that INEC’s failure to upload election results affected confidence in the system was a weighty one, noting that the declaration showed a lack of capacity and failure on the part of INEC. He said there should be a penalty for such an infraction. He said, “This is such a serious thing that affected a good number of Nigerians who came out to vote because they believed the process would be credible and transparent. It would be devoid of manipulation by human agents. By this, the head of INEC should not be allowed to conduct elections.” Another senior lawyer, Mr Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), corroborating Adegboruwa’s stance, said the judgment was simply a restatement of the position of the law. He added, “There is nothing novel about what the apex court said. Even the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal restated that position, which is the position of the law. It is very unfortunate if a lawyer who has been involved in election petition cases says that a judge or justice who made such a decision has been compromised. “Thursday’s judgment was clearly the position of the law. There are several cases which followed that precedence. If you read the Oyetola Vs Adeleke judgment, you would see that there is really nothing different from what the Supreme Court said. How can you confer special status on the FCT? The Supreme Court did justice to the law, and its decision should put everyone to rest,” he said. Another senior lawyer, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), said the judgment had been able to settle a lot of issues regarding the electoral process, noting that the verdict was unassailable. He added, “They established that the IReV is not a collation centre and that the FCT is not special in Nigeria. All votes are equal and so there is nothing like a special voting requirement for Abuja. They have also demonstrated that we need to do much more in order to show that there is non-compliance in an election. “You have to give particulars and see how it can substantially affect the outcome of the result. More particularly, they have been able to hold the key point that you must also show your own scores as an alternative to the one INEC announced. The petitioners’ cases are abysmally poor and so it was quite expected that the outcome could not be other than what the Supreme Court decided.” Falana faults INEC Meanwhile, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) said the failure of INEC to conduct credible elections created the avenue for the judiciary to be part of the process. Falana who stated this during a Friday interview on a programme on Channels TV, said, “It is very clear that Nigerians have a long way to go in terms of ensuring that credible elections are conducted. Nigerians need elections that will be devoid of acrimony, one that everyone would be proud of. “We are still a long way from there even with the Thursday judgement. For now, the presidential election is concluded. It should have been concluded in February but it has just been concluded by the Supreme Court and it shouldn’t be so. “The judiciary should not determine the winners of elections. Judges are not suited to determine the winners of elections. That is a job reserved for INEC if things are done properly. That is why we must put an end to the shame that becomes our law in terms of conducting elections.”

IGP Mandates Treatment Of Gunshot Victims Without Police Reports

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has mandated the treatment of gunshot victims without police report.

makeitupNews reports that the police boss, gave the order in a police internal memo signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu, dated October 25, 2023. In the memo addressed to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri and EnuguEnugu, the IGP explained that the directive was in line with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017. According to him, the Act, which came into effect on the eve of 2018, mandates all health facilities to accept victims of gunshot for immediate treatment without a police report. The memo read, “I forward herewith a copy of letter HMSH&SW/IG/CTCV/ 10/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023 received from Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on the above-underlined subject, and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you comply with and enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 without any hesitation. “The Inspector-General of Police further directs that you make this a subject of lecture and circulate widely for the members of the public to be aware of our compliance with the National Law.” This platform understands that in an attached letter from the Minstry of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of State, Olatunji Alausa, had called the IGP’s attention to the low compliance of the act. Get New DJ Mixes The minister attributed the low compliance to the provision of the law to poor awareness among policemen and sympathisers who may fear being implicated.

Actor Ninalowo Speaks On Ex-Wife Being A Mistake Of His Life

Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo has said that his ex-wife, Bunmi, was not a mistake in his life, adding that her presence in it was divine. Ninalowo made this known in an interview on TVC’s Your View, posted Friday on Instagram. According to the actor, he is a unique being who walks with God’s grace and thus attracts divine beings.

‘I’m a very special person,” Ninalowo began. He continued, “I’m anointed. I’m graceful and very spiritual. “My ex-wife was not a mistake in my life; it was divine, and the next woman I will meet will also be divine. You can not have a destination without a journey. “I’m not interested in a million women. When I see the woman, I will know.” Ninalowo and Bunmi were married for 17 years before going their separate ways. They have two children. ‘I Was Cheating, Breaking Her Heart’ – Bolanle Ninalowo Recall, the actor in the interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, said there was a time he was cheating and breaking his wife’s heart because he was feeling young. The actor revealed he was unavailable to his family and was busy pursuing his dreams. Bolanle Ninalowo said he had to make amends after realizing he had lost control over his wife because she eventually started to perceive him as an outsider in their home. He said, “The years when I was feeling too young and cheating all day, breaking her heart and everything to the years when I wasn’t there and pursuing my dreams. “But I forgot this was a human being that was taking records and taking experiences of her life as well. So, I became somebody that she didn’t recognise anymore. “At some point, I couldn’t call her to pick up my call. The woman I had control over, I had no more control because she outgrew me.”

Davido Responds To Dammy Krane’s Debt Allegations

Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has responded to the debt allegation of his colleague, Oyindamola Emmanuel, better known as Dammy Krane.

makeitupnews reports that Dammy Krane has consistently accused Davido of being reluctant to settle the debt for his songwriting contribution to an earlier released track, even after contacting the DMW boss privately. On Friday morning, he took to his X handle to troll Davido and list out the things Davido owes him, stressing he filed a petition against the singer at a police station about a year ago. Responding, Davido stated that he never got paid for the three verses he sang on Dammy Krane’s song nine years ago, including the royalties. He wrote: “I never got paid for that also my 3 verses I’ve gifted you all your dead careeer … .. oh yea plus my royalties, we charge now so that’s about $150 k x3 a verse.. also house rent and food when u stayed in my house in Atlanta when you were homeless ..”

Businessman, Abu Salami Accuses Davido Of Running With His N218 Million Meanwhile, Davido, has been accused of breaching a financial agreement between him and a businessman, known as Abusalami, on Instagram. makeitupnews understands that Abusalami took to his Instagram page to allege that the renowned musician breached the agreement in relation to a children’s project. The complainant claimed he paid Davido the sum of 218 million naira, out of a total project cost of 326 million naira, but that the singer did not fulfil his obligations. In a detailed statement shared on his Instagram page, Abusalami explains that the project, which involved young talents from 20 different states, was scheduled but ultimately cancelled by Davido, resulting in a financial loss of 42 million naira for Abusalami. Abusalami also claimed that he requested Davido to do a commercial about the project, which the singer refused to do. He stressed that the singer went away with his money without delivering the project, labelling Davido as a “thief.” He also highlighted his own financial difficulties and the potential negative impact on the young players who were supposed to benefit from the project.

Details Of Goodluck Jonathan’s Meeting With Tinubu Emerge

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Jonathan, while speaking at the end of the meeting, described himself as a “roving ambassador”. The former President spoke while fielding questions from State House reporters after a closed door meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Jonathan revealed that he came to brief President Tinubu on his regional, continental, and international assignments. He further stated that he used the visit to congratulate him on his victory at the apex court. Jonathan said, “I have been involved in a number of things in West Africa and Africa. In fact, tomorrow (Saturday), I will be in Kenya and on the 14th of November I will be in Liberia, so I am like a roving Ambassador seeing how we can bring peace to the subregion and the continent.” Speaking on how Nigeria could lead Africa with the successful transition of power, Jonathan said: “That is what all Africans are saying, I had a programme on democracy dialogue and Prof Lumumba spoke there, he emphasized the need for Nigeria to take a lead in Africa. Yes, we have challenges economically now but we still have what it takes to lead Africa. “These are some of the issues I will continue to have conversations with Mr President, including briefing him on all my foreign programmes. They are not personal issues, traditionally, former presidents when they go outside the country for continental or regional programmes and even some international. When you come home, you brief the president that is the tradition. “When you see me here, what we come to do, to move Nigeria forward and to move ECOWAS forward and to move the African continent forward.”

#BBNaija: Why I Slammed Ilebaye – Doyin Spills

Big Brother Naija reality star Doyin David has opened up on the reason she lashed out at her fellow all-star housemate, Ilebaye. Doyin revealed this during an Instagram live session on Thursday after a follower queried her over her altercation with the Gen Z Baddie. Speaking about her behavior, Doyin said she lashed out at Ilebaye because she did not return the favour of fighting for her after she defended the latter against Venita and other housemates who attacked Ilebaye. She said, “So what thing you people need to understand is sometimes that outspoken strong person also needs somebody to be there for them and that’s the truth there is no human being that doesn’t need somebody to be there for them. “What you people saw was me lashing out, I want you to paint a scenario where you stand up for your friend against some other people and that same person you are standing up for against some other people you see them kiking with the people that you fought them for, I was pained. “I didn’t feel like I had a friend, I also needed a friend, I don’t think you people even have an idea what I went through in that house and how mentally draining it was feeling like I did not have anybody so forgive me if I’m a human being and I feel let down and I’m lashing out that doesn’t make me a bad person it just makes me a human and that was it, I was lashing out.”

IGP Decorates 12 AIGs, 19 CPs (Photos)

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, decorated 12 Assistant Inspectors General of Police and 19 Commissioners of Police with their new ranks. Naija News gathered that the ceremony took place at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The Force Headquarters said the event followed the approval by the Police Service Commission of the NPF recommendation for the promotion of the 31 AIGs and CPs, as well as 5,687 other dedicated senior officers within the Nigeria Police Force. The 12 former CPs now decorated AIGs are, Ogundele Ayodeji, Patrick Edung, Badru Lawal; Bartholomew Onyeka; Suleiman Yusuf; Idowu Owohunwa; Rhoda Olofu; Godwin Aghaulor; Effiom Ekot, Stanley Ude; Longe Patrick; and Ndu Anene. The occasion had in attendance the Governors of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Kogi, and Lagos States, Dame Patience Ebele Jonathan, IG Usman Baba (retd.) and his wife; the Senator representing Kogi Central, and royal fathers from Kogi and Lagos States, members of the Force Management Team; and other senior police officers, relatives and loved ones of the promotees, and well-wishers. The spokesperson of the force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement made available to newsmen. Adejobi noted, “The IGP, in his address, charged the promotees to continue to exhibit the core values of service, sacrifice, and selflessness in the discharge of their duties. He also commended their dedication and hard work, which has earned them these well-deserved promotions. “He noted that the newly decorated officers have demonstrated exceptional commitment to maintaining law and order in their respective duty posts, and as such, the new ranks symbolise their added responsibilities and the trust placed in them to continue leading by example. “The Inspector General of Police congratulates all the promoted officers and encourages them to redouble their efforts in service to our great nation. “He also appreciates the Police Service Commission for their thorough and objective evaluation of the officers’ performances assuring of improved collaborative efforts to deepen excellence and uphold the NPF’s duty to serve and protect the people of Nigeria.” See photos below: