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The Business and Property Court in London has ruled in favour of the Nigerian government in its legal case against Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited, an engineering and project management company, squashing an $11 billion arbitration award initially issued in favour of the company.
Here’s what you should know about the situation and how Nigerians are reacting.
What happened?
It started in 2010. P&ID entered into a business agreement with the Nigerian government, and the plan was to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State. It was a contract billed to last 20 years.
Two years later, P&ID claimed the deal couldn’t pull through because the Nigerian government didn’t keep their side of the agreement. According to them, the FG failed to put in place the required infrastructure to kick off the project.
The company took the case to court. On January 31, 2017, a tribunal ruled that the Nigerian Government should pay $6.6 billion in damages to the company, as pre and post-judgment interest at 7%.
The FG applied for an extension after the ruling and the application was granted by Judge Ross Cranton in September 2020.
In the application, the FG alleged that P&ID tried to defraud the country with the deal, adding that officials of the company paid bribes to secure the contract.
In March 2023, the FG argued in a trial court that the P&ID deal was conceived through dishonest means, and as such the awarded sum, which had risen to $11 billion due to the 7% pre-and post-judgment interest, should be thrown out.
Court Rules in favour of Nigerian Government
On October 23, 2023, Justice of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, Robin Knowles, upheld Nigeria’s prayer on the ground that the P&ID contract was obtained by fraud.
If Nigeria had suffered a negative ruling, this would have seen a significant hit to the country’s foreign reserves. As of May 2023, the foreign reserves stood at $34.4 billion.
How are Nigerians reacting?
The ruling has sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media. Almost everyone acknowledges paying the sum would have seriously affected the country’s already weak economy.
Tweets below:
GREAT NEWS:
UK court just ruled in favour of Nigeria in the P&ID case, squashing the $11 billion award against Nigeria.
International judges are doing justice for Nigeria without bribery but Nigerian judges are collecting bribes from Nigerians to give fraudulent judgement. Just image this judge took bribe. https://t.co/a0Fi28Tubq
United Kingdom 🇬🇧: Nigeria 🇳🇬 has won its case against Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited, which sought enforcement of $11 billion debt in its favor. Congratulations Nigeria. Thank you @MBuhari, You insisted and you got this for Nigeria. https://t.co/tR77PENk18pic.twitter.com/ozUDwzVu64
You’ll have your fill of grilled, peppered or fried meat and many more at Zikoko’s meat festival on November 11. Have you bought your Burning Ram ticket? You can do that real quick here.
On October 9, 2023, a Lagos State High Court sentenced Nigerian police officer, Drambi Vandi, to death after he was found guilty of fatally shooting Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.
Vandi shot Raheem, an expectant mother, on Christmas Day in 2022 in Ajah, Lagos state. While this sentence offers respite and some level of justice to the victim’s loved ones, the country is still riddled with pockets of police misconduct and brutality against citizens.
Source: Maritime First Newspaper
In commemoration of the third-year anniversary of the #ENDSARS protest, we’ve compiled a timeline of notable dates and events that defined October 2020.
But first, what were the five-point demands of the Nigerian youths who stormed the streets in unity to demand an end to police brutality?
#ENDSARS Five-Points Demand
End SARS
Compensations for victims of police brutality
Investigation of police misconduct and prosecution of the indicted
Release of arrested protesters
Increase in the salaries of police officers
A timeline of events that shaped October 2020
October 3, 2020
A video surfaced on social media showing the moment SARS in officers Ughelli, Delta State, assaulted a Nigerian man. The clip sparked public outrage and escalated into widespread protest in the state.
October 4, 2020
Then Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, in an X post claimed the young man in the viral video from Ughelli, Delta State was alive. He claimed he spoke with the victim’s brother, Ochuko.
October 6, 2020
The protest continued in Delta State with youths blocking off major roads and ultimately driving heated conversations on X.
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October 8, 2020
Demonstration kicks off across major cities in Nigeria. Young people, including celebrities, in Lagos converge at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to protest against police brutality. Many spent the night there.
October 9, 2020
Police forcefully disperse peaceful protesters at the police headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly addressed protesters.
October 10, 2020
Protests continue across the country. The situation takes a heated turn after police officers in Ogbomosho, in a bid to disperse peaceful protesters, shot Jimoh Isiaq.
October 11, 2020
Source: Signal
IGP, Mohammed Adamu, announced the dissolution of the SARS unit. However, demonstrations continued across the country, with three more protesters shot dead in Ogbomosho.
October 12, 2020
Ebonyi youth joined the ENDSARS protest while Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State banned protests in the state. Meanwhile, stray bullets from the police killed a bystander in Lagos.
October 13, 2020
Source: Premium Times
Protesters defy Governor Nyesom Wike’s order and trooped out to protest. The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo Olu, met President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the protests and demands.
October 13, 2020
The FG announces the establishment of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to replace the disbanded SARS unit. Governor Sanwo-Olu announced a ₦200 million fund for victims of police brutality.
October 14, 2020
Source: Rex Features
Nigerians in Belgium, the U.K., and the U.S. joined the #ENDSARS protest. Meanwhile, pro-SARS individuals attacked protesters and burnt vehicles in Lagos and Abuja.
October 15, 2020
FCT minister, Muhammad Bello, banned protests in the capital city. International hacking group, Anonymous, infiltrated the Nigerian police website.
October 16, 2020
X created a special emoji to show solidarity with the #ENDSARS movement. Meanwhile, Muslim faithfuls in Lagos held the Friday jummah prayer on protest grounds.
October 17, 2020
Two protesters died in Osun after hoodlums hijacked the peaceful protest in the state.
October 18, 2020
The National Examination Council (NECO) postponed its examination for the year.
October 19, 2020
Hoodlums attacked the Benin Correctional Centre to free some inmates in one of the cells. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) condemned #ENDSARS protesters for non-peaceful and destructive actions.
October 20, 2020
Governor Sanwo announced a state-wide curfew late evening in Lagos, but some protesters remained at the Lekki Toll Gate area. Later, soldiers deployed to the Lekki Tollgate area opened fire on protesters. Gory videos and images of blood-stained Nigerian flags flooded social media.
Notable events post #ENDSARS protest
October 19, 2021
Source: The Nation
Lagos State Judiciary Panel of Inquiry concludes its findings into alleged shootings that took place on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Tollgate. The panel awarded a total of ₦410.2 million to over 70 petitioners as compensation.
October 20, 2021
Police in Lagos and Ogun insist that there should be no street protests in commemoration of one year anniversary of #ENDSARS protest.
November 15, 2021
Governor Sanwo-Olu sets up a four-member committee for white paper reports on the reports submitted by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters.
October 20, 2022
Police fire teargas at peaceful protesters who converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the second anniversary of the #ENDSARS protest in Lagos.
You’ll have your fill of grilled, peppered or fried meat and many more at Zikoko’s meat festival on November 11. Have you bought your Burning Ram ticket? You can do that real quick here.
In 2016, I was in my final year at university. For my project, I had to do a content analysis of the Nigerian media coverage of Boko Haram insurgency for the 12 calendar months of the year under review. It was impossible to access old newspaper publications online, so I had to comb Ibadan for libraries that kept old newspapers. It was a daunting experience, mentally, physically and financially.
Source: Reuters
Seven years later, undergraduate students like me, researchers, journalists and anyone interested in our history need only carry out a simple search on Archivi.ng, a website that has successfully scanned 50 years of Nigerian newspapers in the first phase of its newspaper digitisation project.
Here’s all you should know about the team and the important work they’re doing.
What is Archivi.ng?
It’s a project committed to “digitising old Nigerian newspapers and making them accessible to everyone online.” The Archivi.ng team’s first phase goal is to upload 18,627 different newspapers and 360k pages from January 1960 to December 2010.
How did it start?
In August 2019, Fu’ad Lawal, Archiving CEO, asked a question on his Twitter page: “Who’s going to get all the Final Year research papers rotting in the Faculty storages across tertiary schools in Nigeria, and bring them online?”
Who's going to get all the Final Year research papers rotting in the Faculty storages across tertiary schools in Nigeria, and bring them online?
This need to do something with loads of research work Nigerian students churn out yearly soon metamorphosed into a different direction.
On November 10, 2019, his attention was drawn to a throwback video shared on Twitter which captured the court proceedings that led to the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and other members of the Ogoni 9.
Fu’ad expressed sadness at the fact that Nigerian knowledge seekers or researchers would only obtain the full context about the historical incident from the archives of an international publication like the New York Times.
“My own sadness is that if you want to read about this case, you’ll have to go to the New York Times.”
My own sadness is that if you want to read about this case, you'll have to go to the New York Times. https://t.co/ChzA6uTNXN
Five days later, he returned with a post stressing the need for old Nigerian newspapers to be archived. “Our old newspapers need to be archived, for the culture. Contextual reporting becomes easier when you can just google 1999, and Punch/Guardian pops.”
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Fu’ad’s tweets started to receive a cocktail of reception from followers, friends and acquaintances who shared similar sentiments. Subsequently, he drew up a concept note with a clear goal to retrieve and digitise newspapers from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010 — a total of 18,627 days. The months that followed would see Lawal, his friends and other volunteers sourcing newspapers. In less than five weeks, they’d sourced 95% of the newspapers needed for the period of focus.
But sourcing the papers wasn’t enough; they also needed a digital home where the papers could be housed and easily accessed. And this birthed Archiv.ng.
How does the website work?
The search box on Archivi.ng
If you enter specific keywords, names and dates in the homepage’s search box, it’ll return a string of scanned newspaper pages. Each scanned newspaper page comes with an AI-generated summary.
For example, when you enter the date below, it returns with the newspaper images.
At the moment, Archivi.ng only accounts for PM News reports from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010 which is approximately 50,000 pages. Publications like The Punch (1971), Tribune (1949) and Vanguard (1983) are yet to be scanned and uploaded to the archive. However, it’s all part of the goals in the first phase of the project.
Is the website free to use?
The website has been free for visitors since it launched on September 30. However, there’s an option to donate and support the project. The team has raised over $37,000 in donations but still needs at least $100,000 in funding to complete the first phase of the project.
Burning Ram tickets are now available. Get your personal meat and many more at Zikoko’s meat festival coming up on November 11th. Tickets are available here.
Liberia is set to hold elections for its presidency, House of Representatives and half of its Senate, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The current president, George Weah, is running for a second term of six years. Here are five interesting things to know about Weah and his first term.
Personal life
International football star
After dominating Liberia’s local leagues, Weah moved to Cameroon to play for Tonnerre of Yaoundé. The Cameroon national coach, Claude De Roy, noticed and recommended him to Arsene Wenger, who signed him to Monaco, bringing the star to Europe.
Weah went on to win the French Cup in 1991 with Monaco. He will later move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), winning the French Cup, the league title and reaching the semifinals of the 1995 European Champions League, where he was the top scorer. In 1995, he transferred to AC Milan, winning the 1996 and 1999 Serie A league titles. Weah won the African Player of the Year in 1989, 1994 and 1995. He also won the Best FIFA Men’s Player and the Ballon d’Or in 1995. He remains the only African player to have won the award.
His son, Timothy Weah, currently plays for Juventus. In 2022, Weah drew criticism when he was out of the country, watching his son play for the United States national team in Qatar, during the 2022 World Cup.
Musician on the side
Weah has always loved music. In 1998, he joined other football stars: Ibrahim Ba, Omam Biyik, Manuel T. Dimas, Oumar Dieng, Joachim Fernandez, Mohamed Kallon, Raul Phil Masinga and Taribo West, to team up with singer, Frisbie Omo Isibor, on Lively Up Africa, a song to raise funds for children.
Weah recorded and released music to raise awareness of Ebola as a senator, and COVID as president.
He collaborated with Liberian artists to sing the theme song of the Miss Earth beauty pageant, recorded a reggae version of the “Happy Birthday” song and several other songs to throw subs at political opponents, most of which he’s performed on past campaign trails. He also went viral for participating in Kizz Daniel’s Buga Challenge.
Accusations of infidelity
After he was fired in 2021, the Deputy Director General for Rural Broadcasting at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), accused President Weah of extra-marital affairs, attributing his dismissal to the president’s relationship with his wife. He claimed the president even purchased a Ford Escape car for her. The official will later apologise and retract his claims. In response, Weah released a reggae song called Mr Liar Man with these lyrics: “You know I didn’t do the things you said I do, Mr Liarman”.
In 2019, another businesswoman accused the Deputy Head of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) of “badmouthing” her to the president amidst claims that they are both his mistresses.
Government policies
Free tuition
In October 2018, President Weah declared a tuition-free policy for all undergraduates in public universities. His administration also pays WASSCE fees for all 9th and 12th graders in public schools. Despite the policy, students and instructors have protested multiple times over poor educational infrastructure and non-payment of salaries. During the COVID pandemic in 2021, students of the University of Liberia protested against the e-learning platforms, questioning their functionality.
Dual citizenship
Liberian citizenship has been largely restrictive. However, in Weah’s first national address as president, he announced his support for a change in the law, and in 2022, Weah signed a bill that amended the country’s law.
While the amendment does not allow non-Negros to acquire citizenship, it permits dual citizenship by allowing Liberians to acquire a second nationality without losing their Liberian citizenship as was previously the case. The law also allows individuals to claim Liberian citizenship through their mothers.
It’s been seven months since the 2023 presidential election, and five months since Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s president.
But it doesn’t appear we’ve heard the last of the events that happened before, during and after the elections. Although the election tribunal struck out the petitions brought against the legitimacy of the elections and Tinubu’s presidency, Atiku Abubakar is still pursuing the case in court.
He has now taken the fight to the United States, convincing a court in Chicago to ask Chicago State University to turn in Bola Tinubu’s academic records. Chicago State University has complied with the court orders and released the documents.
So, what are the facts?
Tinubu’s certificate is disputable
Atiku Abubakar’s biggest argument is the authenticity of the certificate Tinubu presented to the election commission. Taking his case to a United States court, Atiku and his legal team had three asks from the University:
An example of a CSU diploma issued in 1979
Tinubu’s certificate issued in the same year
Any example of a CSU diploma that “contains the same font, seal, signatures and wording” as Tinubu’s diploma issued in June 1979.
Under subpoena, the Chicago State University has complied and released a few copies of diplomas the university issued in 1979 and subsequent years.
A copy of a 1979 CSU diploma looks like this:
However, this is a copy of the diploma Tinubu submitted to INEC:
That said, Chicago State University did confirm that Tinubu attended the institution between 1977 and 1979. But they couldn’t provide an original certificate because the university doesn’t keep original copies of students’ diplomas.
One of the transcripts Tinubu used to apply to CSU is gendered female
Another fascinating item in the documents Tinubu submitted to INEC is a certificate issued by Southwest College and presumably used by Tinubu to apply to Chicago State University. The bearer is a Tinubu Bola A., which checks out. But what’s odd is that this person’s gender is female.
This begs a question: Is this Bola Tinubu also Ahmed, our President?
What happens now?
It’s against the provisions of the Nigerian constitution to contest with a forged certificate
Section 137 of the Constitution provides grounds for disqualification from the office of President of Nigeria. It’s a long list, but its position on submitting fake certificates is clear:
A person shall not be qualified for the office of the president if they present a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With Atiku Abubakar still pursuing the case in court, one of the primary things he’ll want to prove is the veracity of Tinubu’s results — are they genuine or not?
In the end, the Supreme Court will decide on one of the following:
If Tinubu did submit and run with fake certificates
If that is sufficient grounds for disqualification
If an election rerun will be held or Tinubu’s runner-up will be declared the new president.
A Nigerian poet, Oruz Kennedy, and an unconfirmed number of fellow bus passengers have been abducted.
Here’s all we know about the situation.
When did it happen?
According to information shared by a friend, Oruz Kennedy was kidnapped on Monday, September 11, on a journey from Abuja to Port Harcourt.
“The kidnap happened on Monday. It’s not just him but the entire passengers on the bus that were kidnapped. They were coming back from Abuja and got intercepted at Kogi.”
Kennedy had attended a literary festival in the capital city and was returning home when the unfortunate incident happened.
The poet’s last Twitter post was shared on the same day at 3:34 p.m., suggesting it was a few hours before his abduction.
When spirit sings, flesh must follow I desire to complete my book in Bauchi
In a Twitter video shared on the same day, Kennedy’s wife, Faith, confirmed her husband’s kidnap. According to her, the kidnappers reached out demanding a ₦20 million ransom to secure his release.
“He was kidnapped on Monday on his way back from Abuja and the kidnappers are demanding ₦20m for his release. Most people have been calling to tell me it’s a prank, it’s fake and the rest. I’ve been the one the kidnappers have been reaching out to and I know what I heard.”
Hello, guys. A friend @oruzkennedy has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding 20 million naira. Kindly support us with any amount, to 3056553755 Budonyefa F. Okere First Bank
6411591022 USD 6411591046 £ Budonyefa F. Okere Fcmb Bank
However, on Wednesday, September 13, @tamaradogubo returned to Twitter announcing that the ransom had been slashed to ₦5 million. According to her, the kidnapper gave an ultimatum of 9 a.m., Thursday, September 14.
We have raised 2M so far but now we've been given till 9am tomorrow to make it 5M naira. I beg us all, please help. Please. The accounts for donation are below: Naira: 3056553755, Budonyefa F. Okere, First Bank USD: 6411591022, Budonyefa F. Okere, FCMB pic.twitter.com/OlDUCSc7s9
@tamaradogubo returned saying ₦4 million had been raised out of the new ransom. However, she claimed that the abductors insisted on getting the full amount before releasing him.
We are at 4 Million Naira. God bless you all. Please we need 1 Million Naira to get our friend @oruzkennedy back. Keep reposting the fliers. Send in your little token. It goes a long way#FreeOruzKennedyhttps://t.co/sqPkKhryv6
Zikoko understands that an official report was made to the police and the anti-kidnapping unit. However, Kenndy’s friend claimed, “There’s been no substantial feedback nor action from them”.
Several Nigerians on social media have equally tagged the handles of the local authorities to look into the matter.
What about the other passengers?
While Kennedy’s case has gained public attention, there are no updates regarding fellow passengers who were also kidnapped along with him.
In a tweet posted on Monday, September 11, President Bola Tinubu revealed he had struck a diplomatic deal that will lift the Dubai visa ban on Nigerian travellers.
While the UAE has been silent on their end, according to Tinubu’s tweet, there was more to his trip to Abu Dhabi. He met with their president to discuss ways to strengthen diplomatic relations and seek new investment opportunities.
Good evening Nigerians – Home and abroad,
Today, in unity with my friend, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @MohamedBinZayed , we have initiated a new era of collaboration and friendship between our nations – Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Tinubu announced in a Twitter post that he met with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, September 11. The strategic discussions included the immediate removal of the Dubai visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.
Recall that the ban took effect in October 2022, following a months-long diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE over flight allocations and a prior COVID travel ban. In 2021, Air Peace had requested a slot of three weekly flights from Nigeria to Sharjah Airport in UAE, but only one was granted. In retaliation, the federal government cut Emirate’s slots from 21 to one, causing the airline to pull out of the Nigerian route indefinitely.
Etihad and Emirates Airlines resume work in Nigeria
According to President Tinubu, the new deal will also see to the “Immediate resumption of flight schedules into and out of Nigeria by Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines, without any immediate payment required from the Nigerian government.”
Billions of dollars worth of investment
“An agreed framework for new investments worth several billions of U.S dollars into the Nigerian economy by the UAE government, covering multiple sectors including defense and agriculture,” President Tinubu shared in a Twitter post.
Foreign exchange programmes
Although the exact details have not been announced, President Tinubu is pushing a new foreign exchange liquidity programme between Nigeria and the UAE.
Improved foreign relations
Jagaban assured Nigerians that he’s making moves to “normalise and enhance” the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE, hence the collaboration with President Al Nahyan.
The UAE’s position
The UAE embassy’s official statement doesn’t mention a visa ban removal or flight resumption by Etihad and Emirates Airlines as announced by President Tinubu and the federal government.
While the statement confirmed that the two leaders met, it only highlighted discussions around diplomatic relations and investment opportunities.
“The UAE President and Nigerian President explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries’ sustainable economic growth, including the economic development, energy and climate action fields. The two sides also exchanged views on several regional and international developments of interest.”
Nigerians react to news
Some Nigerians have since taken to social media to celebrate the news while others have expressed strong reservations, noting that they’d only believe when the UAE issues an official statement.
Turns out UAE lifted the visa ban on Nigeria after all.
I understand your pains, and I share in the pain too.
If you are not careful, you will turn yourself into talkative and a noisemaker if all you do is find fault in every move of the government.pic.twitter.com/Ops6wboC3I
While the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, President Tinubu’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, has stressed that things will take a different turn in a bid to cushion developments that led to the ban in the first place.
During an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Ngelale said, “Every agreement comes with mutual responsibility. There is no free lunch. What I mean by that is the notion that floodgates will open up and we go back to business as usual. That is not what Nigerians should expect. I want to be very clear about this so that everybody can understand.”
On March 1, 2023, the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results of the keenly-contested February 25 presidential election, declaring Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new Nigerian President. Subsequently, he was sworn in as President on May 29, 2023.
But this didn’t mark the end of the election process.
What happened?
Nigerian elections are usually fierce contests, but no election since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 was as close as the 2023 cycle. Three favourites emerged in the months leading to the polls: Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and eventual winner, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
While Tinubu’s 8,794 726 votes were enough to be victorious at the polls, it was the smallest win margin by any Nigerian President since 1999. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi followed relatively closely at 6,984 520 and 6,101 533 votes, respectively.
This wasn’t the most significant bone of contention, though. The election was also allegedly marred by violence, voter intimidation, harassment and other irregularities, begging one question: Can the legitimacy of the results be trusted?
Following INEC’s declaration, various calls emerged to invalidate the results, accusing the electoral body of multiple electoral irregularities. Since May 2023, three political parties — Labour Party (LP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied People’s Movement (APM) — have contested the INEC results that declared Tinubu president, basically telling the tribunal to evict Tinubu from Aso Rock.
Here’s what to know about the petitions
On March 21, 2023, four presidential candidates from four political parties lodged different suits with the election tribunal, seeking to nullify the results.
Labour Party (LP)
The party believes the new President and vice were not qualified to contest the election, referencing Tinubu’s alleged involvement in narcotics and his running mate, Shettima’s nomination, while being the Borno Central constituency’s senatorial candidate. Also, President Tinubu didn’t get 25% of the votes in the FCT, which according to the Labour Party, should have stopped INEC from declaring him the election winner.
The petition prays the tribunal to order a return to the polls where Tinubu and Shetimma will not participate.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
PDP’s petition also asked the tribunal to dismiss the results of the presidential elections. They argue the invalidity of the results based on electoral irregularities during the process.
Allied People’s Movement (APM)
The petition noted that Shettima’s double nomination is against the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and electoral act.
Action Alliance (AA)
The party asked the tribunal to annul the election results because its candidate, Hamza Al-Mustapha, wasn’t allowed to contest by INEC.
AA subsequently withdrew its petition.
What will the tribunal ruling mean?
The tribunal announced it’ll deliver its ruling in Abuja on September 6, 2023. One of two things will happen: uphold the election results and confirm Tinubu as President, or cancel the election and order a rerun.
If the former happens, the petitioners can seek out the Supreme Court and appeal the judgement. According to the law, an appeal should be concluded within 60 days from the date of the tribunal judgement.
Whatever the Supreme Court decides is the final judgement. There is no other place to go from there.
Highlights From the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Judgement
Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Petition: The party noted that Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, was a senatorial candidate at the time of his nomination, which, according to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act, is a case of double nomination.
The party asked the tribunal to void all the votes scored by the APC and announce PDP’s Atiku as the authentic winner of the election.
Judgement: Justice Haruna Tsammani cited the petition as “incompetent” and noted that the issues raised were pre-election matters outside the tribunal’s ruling. The election petition tribunal dismissed the APM’s case, noting that the party had no legal standing to file the motion.
Labour Party (LP)
Petition: The party’s candidate, Mr Peter Obi, sought to have Tinubu disqualified on the basis of an alleged pre-existing drug case in the U.S., making him unqualified to contest for the election.
The petition challenged his vice, Kashim Shettima’s nomination while being the Borno Central constituency’s senatorial candidate.
The petition also noted that Tinubu failed to secure 25% of votes in the FCT, so he shouldn’t have been declared the winner.
Judgement: Justice Abba-Bello Mohammed read the court’s judgement, throwing out Peter Obi’s petition to disqualify Tinubu based on a U.S. drug case. According to the court, the U.S. court fine, which led to a civil forfeiture of $460k, did not disqualify Tinubu from running for president of Nigeria.
The tribunal has also held that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were qualified to have contested the last presidential election.
Peter Obi’s motion to cancel the election result based on manual transmission has also been dismissed. According to the tribunal, INEC can transmit election results how they see fit.
Obi’s last two motions to cancel the election results on allegations of overvoting and corrupt practices and the failure of Tinubu to secure 25% of votes in the FCT have also been dismissed by the tribunal.
All of Peter Obi’s motions have been dismissed in favour of Tinubu.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Petition: The party sought the tribunal to dismiss the election results based on electoral irregularities, as well as allegations of Tinubu’s dual citizenship.
Judgement: Justice Boloukuoromo Ugo read the court’s judgement, throwing out all the motions filed in favour of Tinubu.
The tribunal made a unanimous decision
All five judge-members of the presidential election tribunal have unanimously affirmed Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s validly-elected president. Justice Haruna Tsammani, in the lead judgement, held that none of the three petitioners was able to prove their allegations as contained in the petitions. They claimed the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence.
According to Justice Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf, “It is clear from the outset that the petitioners were engaging in wild goose chase and an inquisitorial adventure.”
Most of the exhibits and testimonies tendered by the petitioners were rejected based on “procedural blunders” and “technicalities”. The entire judgement ran for over 12 hours.
Is this the end of the road for the petitioners?
Far from it. The petitioners have the opportunity to file an appeal to the Supreme Court within 14 days to counter the tribunal’s judgement. It’ll likely be a long road ahead.
President Tinubu is steadily delivering on his promise to drive inclusion in his government. Even though it’s only a slight bump, Tinubu’s female ministers are eight in number compared to the seven in Buhari’s administration.
These are the women helping him drive his agenda for a renewed Nigeria.
Lola Ade-John
Source: People’s Gazette
Lola joins President Tinubu’s administration as the Minister of Tourism with a career in the banking and technology sectors that has spanned 30 years. She has a degree in computer science from the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, and has worked in notable organisations like Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Magnum Trust Bank Ltd. (now part of Sterling Bank Nigeria Plc.) and Access Bank.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
She’s the new Minister of State, Police Affairs, the first woman to occupy the position. The Nasarawa state indigene was the federal commissioner of the National Commission For Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). Sulaiman-Ibrahim also served as the director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from December 1, 2020, till May 27, 2021, and was a special adviser on strategic communication to the former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Onyejeocha joins the Tinubu administration as the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity. She served as a commissioner for resource management and manpower development under the Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu in 2003. Onyejeocha contested for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2019 but stepped down for her main opponent, Femi Gbajabiamila, current Chief of Staff to President Tinubu. She holds a master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Imo State University and another in Shipping from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Doris Uzoka-Anite
Source: The Guardian
A graduate of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Doris Uzoka-Anite is the new Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. She has over 20 years of experience in the banking sector and served as general manager of Zenith Bank. She served as the commissioner for finance and coordination in Imo state, under Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration,and was a member of Tinubu’s Presidential Policy Advisory Council (National Economy). Uzoka-Anite holds a master’s degree in business administration from the London School of Economics.
Hannatu Musawa
She’s the new Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy. Prior to her appointment, Musawa was a special adviser on culture and entertainment to President Tinubu. The 43-year-old Katsina indigene is the daughter of famous Katsina politician, Musa Musawa. She’s a lawyer and politician with a law degree from the University of Buckingham, a degree in oil and gas law from the University of Aberdeen and a master’s degree in legal aspects of marine affairs from the University of Cardiff. She served as a deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s presidential campaign council.
Betta Edu
Source: Momodu Media
The 36-year-old is the youngest of Tinubu’s female ministers, and she’s the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Edu, a Cross River state indigene, was the former national women leader of the APC. She was also the youngest person to serve as the commissioner of health in Cross River, under Ben Ayade’s administration. Edu has a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Calabar, and a master’s degree in public health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Uju Kennedy Ohanenye
Source: CoreReporters
She joins President Tinubu’s administration as the Minister of Women’s Affairs. Uju was the only female candidate in APC’s June 2022 presidential primaries, but she stepped down for Tinubu. She has a law degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Uju is a property magnate with several high-end properties in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri and the US. She is the proprietress of Kenuj Angels School and MD/CEO of Kenuj O2 Malls both in Abuja. Through her foundation, Shower of Love Foundation, she champions several empowerment programmes focused on upgrading the economic status of women.
Mariya Mairiga Mahmoud
Source: LegitNG
She’s the new Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory. Mariya has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She is a member of the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Physicians. She is a member of the implementation committee for the establishment of the College of Health Sciences at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and a member of the Kano State Committee on Prevention of Drug Abuse among the Youth. Mariya was the commissioner for higher education in Kano State under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Lagos State Government recently declared August 21 as a public holiday in commemoration of Isese Day; a special day dedicated to traditional worshippers in the state. Here’s all you should know about the traditional celebration.
What is Isese Day?
Isese is the Yoruba word for “tradition”. Isese Day is essentially an umbrella term for different festivals celebrated by traditional worshippers in Yorubaland and in the diaspora. Some of the activities include singing, praying, chanting and offering sacrifices. Common colours worn on the day include white, red and black.
Is it a national public holiday?
It is observed as a regional holiday in some southwestern states. Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and recently, Lagos, have officially named August 20 as the day set aside to mark the traditional celebration.
When was it declared a public holiday?
Isese Day was first declared as a public holiday in August 2014, in Osun state during Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration. According to the then Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, the United Nations (UN) celebrates indigenous religions across the world on August 20.
On August 18, 2023, the Lagos state government followed suit as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared Monday, August 21, a work-free day for public servants in the state. According to Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision was taken “with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage.”
What festivals are celebrated in honour of Isese Day?
Ojude Oba, Olojo, Oro, Sango, Eyo, Osun Osogbo and Igogo are popular festivals which are celebrated in the weeks leading up to August 20 which is the grand celebration known as Isese Day.
