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PDP Delegates Arrive Abuja for Convention As Appeal Court Gives Go-Ahead
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Some of the 3,600 delegates expected for the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party have started arriving in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
One of our correspondents, who visited the Eagle Square, venue of the event, on Thursday, observed that the PDP flag had been hoisted in the venue, while banners and decorations adorned the area. A podium had also been assembled at the centre of the square.
“I’m already in Abuja; the congress is on; it will hold,” the Gombe State Chairman of the party, Maj Gen Mamman Kwaskebe (retd.), told one of our correspondents on the telephone.
However, there is uncertainty in the atmosphere due to a pending appeal filed by the party’s suspended Chairman, Uche Secondus.
However, when the court resumed sitting on Thursday to entertain and rule on the legal submissions of all parties, Oyetibo told the court that in adherence to its directives, he had amended the processes earlier served on all respondents and added the names of all the parties.
Oyetibo said all the 11 respondents had been served the amended processes, adding that one of his motions was filed afresh on October 27 and was ready to be taken.
He noted that Article 35(1B) of the PDP Constitution, made pursuant to Section 222(C) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, used the word “shall” and vested in the national chairman the right and not a privilege to preside over the national convention.
Oyetibo told the court that the intention of his application was not to prohibit the national convention, but to suspend it pending the determination of issues of leadership of the party, stressing that what the court was not to stop were primaries of political parties and general elections.
On his part, counsel for the 1st to 5th respondents, Henry Bello, opposed the application with a 24-paragraph affidavit sworn to by the 1st respondent and urged the court to dismiss the application with cost.
Bello argued that the application sought the determination of the main appeal, which was the leadership of the party, without a hearing, noting that such prayers were not attainable.
He said the five grounds of the appellant’s amended notice of appeal had no iota of allusion to the national convention of the PDP (6th respondent), adding that the application was a radical departure and alien to the main appeal.
Similarly, counsel for the PDP, S. I. Ameh, SAN, prayed the court to dismiss the application, saying the balance of convenience was on the court not to grant the application, because it fell within the set time for the convention as set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Counsel for the 8th respondent, Godwin Obla, SAN, in a 21-paragraph affidavit sworn to by one Joy Okonkwo, urged the court not to find merit in the application, but to dismiss it.
Also, Donald Dee-Wigwe, SAN, who represented the 9th and 10th respondents, told the court that the office of national chairman was a political privilege and that the decision of the High Court that sacked Secondus terminated that privilege.
Dee-Wigwe noted that being a political privilege, it could not attract a judicial response and urged the court to dismiss the application.
After listening to the arguments, the three-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani reserved ruling on the appeal for today (Friday) by noon.
“We are reserving ruling on this matter for Friday by 12 noon. Nobody has said anything about setting aside the application,” Justice Tsammani said.
The judge warned the media against publishing unsubstantiated reports about the proceedings of the court.
The Punch
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over what he described as a suspicious and unauthorised payment into one of his private bank accounts.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the transfer originated from an individual or entity unknown to him and carried the narration, “Contribution Electioneering Campaign.”
According to the statement, neither Atiku nor his campaign solicited, authorised or had any knowledge of the payment.
The former Vice President said the account was strictly private and its details were not in the public domain, raising concerns about how the information could have been obtained.
“How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?”
Atiku said the incident raised broader concerns about the security of Nigerians’ financial information, particularly if the private banking details of a former Vice President and presidential candidate could allegedly be accessed without his consent.
“If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe.”
He further expressed concern that the alleged disclosure could have involved individuals with privileged access to confidential information.
According to him, if such access is established, it could expose account holders to criminal elements, including kidnappers, terrorists, bandits and fraudsters.
The former Vice President also called the attention of Nigerians and security agencies to the incident, describing it as part of what he termed a series of “suspicious activities” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We therefore put the Nigerian public and the security agencies on notice about this latest incident in a litany of suspicious activities leading up to next year’s general elections.”
Atiku also alleged that the incident could be part of an attempt to damage his reputation as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
He urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he described as “tired tactics” aimed at character assassination.
“Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again.”
The ADC presidential candidate said he remained focused on his political agenda and his stated commitment to providing solutions to the country’s challenges.
“The Waziri Adamawa remains focused on offering Nigerians credible leadership and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima is schedule to begin a two-week leave this Thursday following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is the Vice President’s first official leave since assuming office on May 29, 2023, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha.
The statement highlighted that during the period of the leave, the Vice President will devote time to study, reflection and intellectual renewal as part of efforts to strengthen his capacity for continued service to the nation.
The leave offers Senator Shettima an opportunity to review the administration’s ongoing programmes, deepen his understanding of emerging national and global policy issues, and prepare for the responsibilities ahead as the Federal Government intensifies the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, the Vice President has remained actively engaged in the coordination and supervision of several strategic government initiatives, particularly in economic development, food security, humanitarian affairs, digital transformation, job creation and regional cooperation.
He has also chaired the National Economic Council, which brings together the governors of the 36 states, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant public officials to deliberate on policies affecting the economy and the welfare of Nigerians.
Beyond his responsibilities within the country, Vice President Shettima has represented President Tinubu at major international and regional engagements, advancing Nigeria’s position on economic integration, peace and security, climate action, investment and sustainable development.
Senator Shettima remains deeply committed to the ideals of loyalty, duty and service that have defined his role in the administration, as well as to supporting President Tinubu’s efforts to build a more secure, productive and prosperous Nigeria.
The Vice President will return to office at the end of the two-week leave period and resume his official responsibilities with renewed energy and dedication to the service of the nation.
President Bola Tinubu has approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with about 250,000 officers and men set to benefit from the enhanced remuneration package aimed at boosting troop welfare and morale.
The new salary structure, which takes effect from September 1, will see officers above the rank of Colonel receive a 30 per cent salary increase, while personnel from the rank of Colonel down to Warrant Officer will enjoy a 50 per cent increment. Soldiers from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant will receive the highest increase of 80 per cent.
The approval will raise the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the salary review underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel in recognition of their sacrifices in safeguarding the country.
The President noted that members of the Armed Forces have continued to display courage and dedication in confronting banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats across the country.
“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” Tinubu said.
He assured that his administration would continue to prioritise troop welfare while strengthening the operational capacity of the military through improved equipment and technology.
“Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,” the President stated.
Tinubu stressed that security remains central to national development, saying no country can attain sustainable progress without guaranteeing the safety of its citizens.
“Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.
The President urged military personnel to see the enhanced remuneration as a demonstration of the nation’s appreciation for their service and commitment.
“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” Tinubu added.
