THE HOT NEWS.

The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the ban by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the use of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes as legal tenders.

The  apex court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel of Justices, held that the old banknotes should remain valid legal tenders until December 31, 2023.

It held that the old Naira notes should be used concurrently with the redesigned Naira notes.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgement, stated that the preliminary objections by the defendants (the Attorney General of the Federation, Bayelsa and Edo states) are dismissed as the court has the jurisdiction to hear the suit.

The court said the naira redesign policy has led to some Nigerians engaging in trade by barter in a bid to survive, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s disobedience of its February 8 order is a sign of dictatorship.

 LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi rejects the outcome of the election, vows to challenge it in court.

Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, on Friday, secured leave of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja to have access to all the sensitive materials the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, deployed for the conduct of the presidential election that held on February 25.

The appellate court, which will sit as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, equally ordered the electoral body to also grant the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, access to the election materials.

A panel of the appellate court led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh made the orders after it heard two separate ex-parte applications the two aggrieved presidential candidates filed alongside their political parties.

Cited as Respondents in the matter were INEC, the acclaimed winner of the presidential election, Bola Tinubu, as well as his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Both applications were predicated on Section146 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, Paragraph 47 (1, 2 &3) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act of 2022, as well as under the inherent jurisdiction of the Court as referenced by Section 6 (6) A & B of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

While Obi, in his application that was moved by his team of lawyers led by Mr Alex Ejesieme, SAN, sought six principal reliefs, on the other hand, Atiku’s lawyer, Mr Adedamola Faloku, sought seven prayers from the tribunal.

Specifically, the applicants urged the court to compel INEC to allow them to obtain documents in its custody that were used for the presidential election.

They maintained that the requested documents would aid their petition against the outcome of the presidential contest that was declared in favour of the candidate of the APC, Tinubu.

It will be recalled that INEC had declared Tinubu of the APC as the winner of the presidential poll, ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

According to INEC, Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes and Obi of the LP who came third with a total of 6,101,533 votes.

Both PDP and LP had since rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge it in court.

BREAKING: Don’t rush to congratulate Tinubu – US Senator warns Biden.

Jim Risch, the United States (US) Senator on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has warned his country and President Joe Biden against embracing the outcome of the presidential election in Nigeria.
The February 25 election produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as president-elect.

A number of irregularities and shortcomings marred the National Assembly and Presidential elections, from alleged fabricated figures from key states to glitches connected to the Result Viewing Portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement released, Risch said the “rush” of authorities to “embrace” the results of the 2023 presidential election, “will undermine our (the US’) ability to be an effective partner to all Nigerians, especially given their (Nigeria’s) longstanding desire for democracy”.

Risch’s statement reads in full: “The electoral process in Nigeria is widely viewed as deeply flawed by election observers and many Nigerians. “It is disappointing to see the administration rush to embrace the result while the full picture of what occurred during this electoral process is yet to be seen.

“I’ve expressed similar concerns related to other areas of our relationship with the Nigerian government. I worry this rush to judgement will undermine our ability to be an effective partner to all Nigerians, especially given their longstanding desire for democracy.
“With Nigeria heading into state-level elections in just a few days (March 11), it is important that the United States be more concerned with supporting the Nigerian people and their democratic aspirations than embracing Nigerian government”.

APC demands immediate resignation of Malami, Emefiele after Supreme Court verdict.

The National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress, Mallam Salihu Lukman, on Friday called for the resignation of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami for misleading the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari to flout the Supreme Court order on the new naira redesign policy.

The development comes hours after the apex court invalidated the CBN policy on the grounds that it was implemented without due consultation, adding that it was also not in line with constitutional provisions.
Consequently, the Supreme Court ruled that the old N200, N500 and N1,000 naira notes should co-exists with the new ones until December 31.
Reacting to the news, Lukman lamented that the sudden implementation of the cash swap policy and tight deadline had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

The Kaduna politician, therefore, noted that the right thing for public office holders like Emefiele and Malami to do after such public office abuse was to accept their limitations and resign honourably.

In a statement titled “Cashless Policy: Supreme Court Invalidates Actions of the Federal Government”, Lukman expressed delight in the ruling of the Court declaring the FG’s cashless policy as unconstitutional and an utter violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

He said, “It is also unfortunate that President Muhammadu Buhari could be misled into such acts of illegality and abuse of executive powers as pronounced by the Supreme Court. We, and indeed all Nigerians, are grateful to the Supreme Court Justices led by Justice Akomaye for this landmark judicial intervention.
“Given the injurious nature of the consequences of the cashless policy of the Federal Government as was implemented thus far, and the damage of the Supreme Court ruling to the profile of President Buhari, Godwin Emefiele and Abubakar Malami must take personal responsibility for this act of illegality by the Federal Government. In advanced democracies, public officers who commit such acts of illegality voluntarily resign from their appointments.

“Therefore, if indeed, the cashless policy of the Federal Government was supposedly designed to conform with extant legal provisions of the Nigerian Federation, now that it turned out in the direct opposite, both the CBN Governor, Mr. Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Malami should accept the limitations of both their knowledge of the law and commitment to democracy by resigning from their respective offices forthwith. Rule of law is fundamental to democracy and individuals who flagrantly violate the laws or promote acts that breach the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must not be tolerated.”

The APC vice chair also saluted the resilience of Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) for challenging the Federal Government on behalf of the masses.
He noted that they have shown true heroics through their action alleviating the sufferings of the people.
“On behalf of our party leaders and members from North-West, we salute our three Governors, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, Alh. Yahaya Bello and Alh. Bello Matawalle, respectively of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states for their courage and initiative to challenge the action of the Federal Government in the Supreme Court. It is a patriotic duty to challenge the policy of government, which unfortunately plunge Nigerians into hardship and unimaginable shock, notwithstanding partisan affiliations.
“By doing so, our leaders in APC led by Mallam Nasir, Alh. Yahaya Bello and Alh. Matawalle has once again demonstrated superior commitment to democracy. We call on Nigerians to take note of the fact that the crusade against the Federal Government cashless policy was led by APC, not minding the attempt to sensationally politicise it to the benefit of opposition political parties and their candidates in this election season.

“It is gratifying that Nigerians resisted the antics of subversive politicians who wanted to use such crude methods, including inflicting untold hardship and pains on Nigerians to provoke citizens into voting against the APC during the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections. We commend and salute Nigerians for their faith in our party, APC and determination to support our party and our candidates during the 2023 elections. We are indeed confident that Nigerians across all the 36 states of the Federation will reaffirm this confidence during the Governorship and States’ Houses of Assembly election on Saturday, March 11,” he stated.

“I cant see rejoicing to Tinubu’s victory, the streets are quite as graveyard”- Pa Adebanjo.

The Leader of the Afenifere Soco-cultural group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo has alleged that the reactions of Nigerians after Bola Ahmed Tinubu victory as President-elect have been noiseless. He berated Asiwaju for winning under a process that is being challenged by Nigerians across the Nation.

Pa Adebanjo argued that Asiwaju’s victory would be overruled by the APEX court. He stated that they have a lot of evidences to void his success in the election. He likened Asiwaju’s current President elect position to Ernest Shonekan who governed Nigeria as an Interim.

He said, ”When a good government comes into power, people will rejoice. I can’t see people rejoicing at Tinubu’s victory, the streets are quiet as graveyard. Tinubu is an interim government put in power, he’s another Shonekan. In due course, he will leave that position. This is not a matter of Igbo or Yoruba, President is of National matter. You have to be accepted by the people you are about to rule. He lacks that National acceptance at the moment.”

EL Rufai Reacts After Supreme Court Ordered Old Notes To Remain In Circulation.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai slammed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele shortly after the Supreme Court ordered old naira notes to remain in circulation till December 31st, 2023. El-Rufai, who was present in the court for the judgment on the naira redesign policy, claimed that Emefiele put the policy together to help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) win the elections.

While speaking to reporters, El-Rufai accused Emefiele of deceiving President Muhammadu Buhari into thinking that it is possible to implement the policy in a short period. He added that the policy was supported by those who wanted to run for president or governor but they didn’t make it.
“This is the policy of the PDP. Emefiele was appointed as CBN governor by the PDP originally so let us not forget where he came from. He was the one that put this policy together to help the PDP win the 2023 general elections.
He deceived the president into thinking that it is possible to withdraw N2trn from circulation and reprint everything in 3 months. He gave the president wrong information and the Attorney General supported him and we know why. These are the people that wanted to run for president and governor in our party but didn’t make it”.

‘Nothing Surprising’ – Sowore Rubbishes Presidential Election Results.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has rubbished the results of the just-concluded 2023 presidential election.
Speaking in his state of the nation address on Wednesday, the presidential candidate stated that the election results do not reflect the will of the people.
Sowore asserted that the 2023 presidential election did not meet any legal requirements of a free, fair, and credible election, describing it as a fraudulent election.
The media entrepreneur said he was not surprised about the outcome of the election, saying that the political gladiators have no interest in organizing a free and fair election.

Stop Being Delusional And Quietly Return To Dubai, You Destroyed PDP – APC Fires Atiku.

The Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for claiming victory at last Saturday’s presidential election.

Reacting to a press conference by Atiku, where he had vowed to approach the courts to reclaim his mandate, the APC described him as delusional.
In a statement to Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo (SAN), accused Atiku of destroying his party, noting that he reaped the full consequences of his indiscretion.
Keyamo, who is the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, said Atiku Abubakar should be thankful that he even exceeded expectations in the elections by coming 2nd.

Buhari’s Minister Reveals What Destroyed PDP, Fingers Top Politician.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has revealed what destroyed the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Keyamo, who is the Director of Communications of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, made this known in a post on Twitter on Thursday.
According to the Minister, said the PDP’s failure to zone the presidency to the South was behind the party’s collapse.

Keyamo also stated that the selfish ambition of the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was behind its destruction.

He wrote: “It is now safe to say that the failure of PDP to respect the country’s zoning formula plus ATIKU’S inordinate ambition, destroyed PDP. Simple.”
The PDP’s failure to respect the country’s zoning formula in picking a presidential candidate and national chairman led to an unfortunate division which birthed the Integrity Group and the G-5.

“We Will Win All The ‘Winnable’ And Make Some Sacrifices Where Necessary” – APC National Chairman Speaks On 2023 Governorship Election.

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu has boasted that his party would record outstanding victory in the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections.

Adamu who spoke on Thursday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja expressed confidence that his party would record impressive wins in the March 11 elections just as it won the February 25th presidential election.
The APC chairman said the victory of the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu in last Saturday’s election is a confirmation of the people’s choice.
He added that the APC victory is a triumph of democracy in Nigeria.

Ahead of the governorship elections, Adamu said while the APC may not win all the states in the forthcoming governorship polls because it is not a greedy party, he is sure the party will win all the ‘winnable’ and make some sacrifices in the interest of democracy.
When reminded that the APC failed to win some stronghold states in Saturday’s presidential election, Adamu said ordinarily the party would have wished it won them all but what happened is simply a lesson in democracy.
Adamu stressed that the APC is grateful to God that it could win enough to clinch the presidency.
He however added that the APC has taken necessary steps to ensure the party records success in the governorship elections.

Wike Storms Oyo For Makinde Ahead Of 2023 Governorship Elections.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is set to visit Oyo State on Friday, March 3rd 2023 to commission some projects executed by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

According to a statement made available on Thursday by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, Wike is expected to commission and flag off three projects.
Olatunbosun said the projects billed for commissioning are the Dr. Omololu Olunloyo Airport road, the Aviation Fuel Tank Depot and the Dr. Omololu Olunloyo Park in Ibadan.
The projects are part of the State Government’s quest to boost its economy and create accessible roads in the State, the Commissioner explained.

He said, “This is another opportunity coming to Oyo State, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde. As we all know, his administration has focused on even distribution of infrastructure networks in Oyo State.”
The commissioning of projects is coming about a week before the scheduled March 11 governorship election in Oyo State in which Makinde is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

President Buhari Speaks On Naira Redesign Policy After Tinubu’s Victory.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday revealed why the naira redesign policy was introduced.
The President, who apologized to Nigerians, said the policy was not introduced to cause hardship in the country.

President Buhari stated this hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu was declared president-elect.
There had been claims that the policy was introduced to hinder Tinubu from actualizing his presidential ambition.
Recall that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele in October 2022 announced the plan to redesign the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.
The apex bank fixed February 10 as the deadline for the use of old naira notes which led to the scarcity of the currency.
President Buhari in a video clip posted on Twitter by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna, Uba said the policy was meant to boost the economy.

We Won The Election And We Will Prove It – Peter Obi.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has stated the his party won the just-concluded election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
The former Anambra governor made this known while speaking at a press conference where he noted that they will prove it to Nigerians and will explore all legal and peaceful options to reclaim their mandate.
According to LP candidate, Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, “robbed” their way to being declared winners, but would be stopped through the courts, adding that the efforts of his supporters will not be in vain.

INEC Failed Woefully In Conduct Of Presidential Election – Atiku.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has slammed the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the just-concluded presidential election.
Recall that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having won in 12 states and pulled 8, 794, 726 votes to defeat Atiku, who scored 6,984,520.
While the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, scored 6,101,533 votes; and the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, garnered 1, 496, 687.

However, in his press conference on Thursday, Atiku condemn the action of INEC, noting that its mode of operation during the presidential election was a rape of democracy.
The former Vice president added that the just-concluded presidential election and its process were grossly flawed, adding that INEC failed woefully in the conduct of the exercise.

Atiku Rejects Bola Tinubu’s Victory, Vows To Go To Court.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said the presidential election that produced Bola Tinubu as the president-elect was marred by “unprecedented fraud”.
Speaking at a world press conference on Thursday, Atiku vowed to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal.
He however stated that he has nothing against the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, adding that he is open to forming an alliance with him.

Fayose Resigns From PDP.

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has announced his resignation from the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Fayose announced his resignation from the PDP yesterday while appearing as a guest on a programme on ARISE News.
He said: “Let me say this, from today (yesterday) I stay off PDP. In party politics there are certain facts you must be able to speak. I am 62 and I can’t, at this age, begin lying. When something is wrong with your family, confess.”
The former governor blamed the loss of the PDP in the presidential election on the leadership of the party.

He said the PDP was already fractured before the election, with so many aggrieved aspirants whom were allegedly swindled by the leadership of the party on one hand and the inability of the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to reach an agreement with the G-5 governors.

He said: “I warned Atiku that the problem will consume PDP. I told him there was danger ahead.”
Fayose added that the G-5 governors demanded that Atiku make an official announcement to run for only one term and hand over to any member in the south but “Ayu was leading Atiku to Golgotha.”