Protest rocks Kaduna as New Nigerian Newspapers workers demand N2.1B entitlements.

…..says 102 workers died waiting for benefits

……gives 14 days ultimatum to occupy all properties sold

Workers and pensioners under New Nigerian Newspapers a company under Northern Governors on Tuesday trooped out to protests non payment of their benefits amounting to over N2.1B even after Northern Governors directives in 2016.

Reading an address jointly signed by Elder Amos Matthew Chairman Press Committee and the Treasurer Nigerian Union of Journalists Kaduna State Council and NNN Secretary Press Committee Comrade Nicholas Dekera said “as at today, more than 90% of the properties have been sold and over 2.7Billion naira realized (with some of these properties fully acquired and renovation works commenced a very good example is the Popular Nagwamatse house in the hearts of Kaduna city) but allegedly kept inside the same account management and Committee claimed have been garnished. “

It recalled that in 2023 after PTAD verified and begun payment of monthly Pension, the duo of Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule returned to court over an initial out of court settlement item- check up dues.

“The Federal High Court in May 2022 garnished the GT Bank account number 0605091406 with account name “New Capital Properties Ltd” where all monies realized for sales of properties was lodged into. The garnishee was vacated, but again the management and the committee failed to pay workers benefits even with express orders from former Kaduna SSG to present documents for onward approval and payments.

“On July 14, 2022 a second garnishee was served on the same account however, the Claimant counsel before the honorable judge confirmed that there was only N20 million in the garnished account whereas the total lodgement as at that time was over N700 million naira. Questions on what happened to the balance, who withdrew the money and for what purpose was the money withdrawn for was never answered by the committee and the NNN management. ” it stated

It pointed that Northern Governors Headed by the then Chairman who is now Nigeria’s Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at a Northern Governor’s Forum on Friday, 29th. April, 2016 at General Hassan Usman Katsina House, Kawo-Kaduna approved that Public private partnership and splitting the company into three (3) which
include Newspaper production, printing and publishing in commercial quantities and commercial properties and total liquidation of the company and all its landed properties across the
country to settle its liabilities once and for all.”

The Congress called on the Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and Northern Governors Forum to compare the management of New Nigeria Newspapers to immediately pay workers all entitlements without further delay threatening to occupy all sold properties after 14days ultimatum.

The Northern Coalition Of Socio Politcal Group has urged to the public to disregard the fake social media publication with the headline: “Minister Allegedly Organises Lavish Birthday Party”

Comrade Musa Mohammed, the national president of the coalition, in a statement issued to Pressmen on Saturday, said there have been an “orchestrated campaign of calumny targeted at Barr. Uju Kennedy, the Hon. Minister for women affairs, which is a game plan to take her down.

The statement further stated that, “It was the handiwork of some members of the party who are uncomfortable with the progress the minister was making in just few months of the Tinubu’ administration”.

“The negative media campaigns are succeeding in heavily distracting Government from achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, by forcing it to constantly react to these paid media blackmails.

“Unfortunately, this has become the new trend in this administration, and the opposition is cashing in on it. The belief is that once you pay for a media blackmail on anyone in Government, the President will suspend or remove the person.

“We have seen her selfless zeal to assist the less privileged, which have significantly touched the live’s of the poor and vulnerable across Nigeria

“Many people can testify that they are actually benefiting from the Federal Ministry of women affairs development”.

” She has made unprecedented achievements recorded in barely five months of resumption”.

“on assumption on duty as Minister federal republic of nigeria,
In partial fulfilment of her policy she mark her First Day with Women and Children in Hospital, to sustain her philanthropic drives towards providing succour to the less privileged in the society”.

“She visit the National Hospital to identify with indigent Nigerians who cannot afford their hospital bills.

“Which is part of her vision is to improve the well-being of Nigerian Women and Children through quality health care, skill acquisition programs and others in line with the policy focus of Mr. President on renewed hope for Nigerians.

“She embarked on a series of engagements demonstrating her dedication to the empowerment and well-being of women and children across Nigeria.

“The minister after her inauguration, had a meeting at the Ministry of Women Affairs headquarters with key members of staff to discuss strategic priorities and action plans aimed at advancing gender equality and the welfare of women in various sectors.

“Following the meeting, Minister Kennedy addressed the press in a candid press conference, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society where women’s rights and opportunities are safeguarded and promoted.

“She emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve tangible results in women’s development.

“Therefore, our stand is that blackmailers, those who fabricate stories and those who peddle false stories to malign Uju Kennedy, should leave her alone.

“The public should disregard the information in circulation, trending Online”.

Fake news” has become a much-used and much-hyped term in the so-called “post-truth” era that we now live in.

“Fake news” has also been flagged for fuelling propaganda and “hate speech” and even violence. “Pizzagate” is an infamous example of exceptional circumstances in which a false news story had a central role.

Group Calls For Sack Of Appellate Court President

A group, Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative, has called for the immediate sack of the president of the court of appeal.

The group, said that the president of the appellate and other justices nearly jeopardize national security by allegedly short changing clear winners in the last general elections in the country.

In a press briefing organized recently, they said that “we were on the brink of a monumental national crises due to a willful assault on our democracy by a set of Judges who abandoned the law, judicial precedents and sound legal reasoning to pursue interests suspected to be pecuniary.

” But all thanks to the Supreme Court who rescued the country and restored hope in our democracy by the sound judgements it delivered on Friday, January 12, 2024.”

They added that across the country, many elected officials lost their freely given mandate in suspect judgements in which the Election Petition Tribunal or Court of Appeals assumed jurisdictions over matters it has none.

It added that ” they happened as pockets of cases, grave as they were to democracy, till the monumental disaster which swept off nearly all the mandates given to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau. And this was in addition to the vexatious judgements in Kano and Zamfara States.”

The group said that security and political tension peaked at this point.

The group further added that what the Justices of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu who presided over the cases emanating from Plateau State did was horrendous.

“It remains one of the greatest assaults on democracy in Nigeria. It was indeed a brazen judicial heist. And coming from the judiciary? It is unacceptable. It must be repudiated. It has to be remedied. And this includes also those involved in the attempted judicial “banditry” in Kano and Zamfara,” they said.

“The Justices that are culpable should have no place in our judiciary. The thought that these set of Justices may one day find their ways to the Supreme Court is horrifying. It should not happen at all,” they added.

“For the records, these Justices unjustly sacked 2 Senators, 3 members House of Representatives and 16 State House of Assembly members in one State; Plateau State. There was no reason in the Nigerian laws to have done that.”

The group further alleged that it had have every reason to believe that justice was deliberately miscarried.

“Imagine the crises that would have been ravaging in Plateau now if the case of Governor Caleb Mutfwang were to be terminated at the Court of Appeal like those of the House of Assembly and National Assembly.

“This is how much crises a set of careless and perhaps, compromised Justices would have caused this country,” they said.

The said that such actions would have been the same in Kano and Zamfara States.

Stating that the country would have gone up in flames because these judges or Justices both at the Tribunal level and the Court of Appeal.

The said that there ” is a total lack of confidence in the Court of Appeal as we speak, especially against the backdrop of how they were severely berated by the Supreme Court.

” This looks more like a judicial hatchet job. The judiciary should be rid of Justices like these both in the Court of Appeal and the Tribunal (as in the case of Kano State),” they said.

They called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to act with dispatch and firmly as Nigerians are waiting for a firm and definite action while the world is watching.

Recruitments: Group Commends Interior Minister for Allocating 35% to Women in Four Agencies

Coalition of Women for Affirmative Action(CWAA) commended the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for taking the bold step to review employment guidelines and for allocating 35 percent slots for women in four agencies under his Ministry.

The Coalition, which described the decision as great feat , also said the guidelines review and subsequent allocation of the 35 percent slots to women will not only be acknowledged by women as one of the most important achievement by the President Tinubu led administration,but also sensitive,considering the important role women in play in security and development processes.

Recalled the Interior Minister recently announced the decision at the end of a meeting with boards of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board in Abuja.

The Coalition for Women Affirmative Action in a statement jointly signed by Dr. Fatima Abdul Idris, Chairperson and Mrs Janet Mosses Secretary expressed joy that the federal government is being gender sensitive. Stressing, “In today’s world being gender sensitive is not only a fundamental human right, but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable country.

According to the group, giving priority to employment of women is strategic and valuable for sustainable development and advancement of the family; community as well as the nation.

The statement further reads: “For any country to attain height of sustainable progress and development, such must take into account critical issue or women’s economic empowerment.

“We thank the federal government for hitherto the approval, because there have been several calls for the implementation of 35 percent inclusion of women in appointments in the public sector to the womenfolk, but to no avail.”

However,the women group, which expressed hope in what they termed, “The Project Nigeria” commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and passed a Vote of Confidence on his administration for bringing to an end the debate for the review of guidelines for recruitment into, and promotion in all the agencies under Interior Ministry.

“We are very happy that the issue has been finally laid to rest , especially with the cheering news of formal announcement of the implementation.”it said.

While urging Nigerians to pray for all leaders from the position of the President; Ministers ,Governors to Lawmakers and other public office holders ,the group called on others to emulate Tunji-Ojo.

“We are now convinced that Nigeria will great again with women taking their proper position of mothers of the nation in public offices”.

FCTA Honours 191 Staff, Pledges To Improve Staff Welfare 

No fewer than 191 staff across all Secretariat, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration have been honoured in the 4th edition of FCT staff award and recognition for their outstanding performance.

Also, the Administration has pledged its commitment to improve the welfare and living standard of the FCT Staff and the entire people of the FCT in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at the occasion, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the award was in line with one of the Federal Civil Service strategy and implementation plans which focuses on the general well-being of civil servants.

The minister who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy, Dr. Abdullihi Isah Kauramata, stressed that in every workplace, the heartbeat of success lies in the commitment and hard work of its employees.

The minister further said, “as we confer these awards, let us not only applaud the recipients but also reflect on the qualities that have set them apart – a tireless work ethic, innovative thinking, and a genuine passion for their roles.

“These qualities not only benefit the individuals, but also inspire and elevate those around them.

“In recognizing excellence, we strengthen the foundation of our Administration. It is a testament to the high standards we set and the aspirations we collectively hold”.

While commending the awardees, on the well-deserved recognition, she however, tasked the entire staff to foster a culture of support and encouragement, where each member feels empowered to reach their full potential.

In his remarks, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that in the past three years, management staff have made modest contributions to the administration of the FCT on staff development.

Adesola assured that in no long a time, the Abuja Rali Mass Transit, known as the Abuja Metro, would return to operation aimed at impacting the cost of transportation on income of Staff for those on the serviced routes.

” “Furthermore, arrangement is at top gear to return the AUMTCO to expanded scale of operations.

“Plan is also underway to deploy last mile vehicles to help check the challenges of commuting in places where the Mass Transit buses cannot go and thus provide alternative means of transportation to check the menace of the “One Chance” vehicular crime,” he added.

He, however, commended the FCT Minister and Minister of State, for keying into the staff reward scheme, stressing that since the inception of the merit award, the FCTA civil service has witnessed very significant positive developments.

The highpoint of the event was the surprised corporate gift items presented to the outgoing permanent secretary for his contributions during his tour of duty.

Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative aka Rescue Movement For New Nigeria and a former presidential aspirant under Labour Party, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph has raised alarm over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, especially as bandits are now ravaging the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria as he also proffer solution to the insecurity bedeviling Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a broadcast on his official YouTube channel on Saturday January 27, 2024.

The activist popularly called Fadojoe, in the broadcast noted that, “the insecurity in our country calls for serious concern for anyone in Nigeria. Gone are the days when anyone can sleep outside, when you can travel on the road any time and when we move freely without fear of being abducted.

Calling on the Inspector General of Police IGP and the Service Chiefs need to take it as a responsibility to end this menace that is also affecting the economy of the nation negatively. And has since assumed alarming rate to the extent that the capital city of Nigeria that supposed to be one of the safest places in Nigeria is now being ravaged freely by the bandits.

“Obviously, no country can survive economically when there is such insecurity, when traders are afraid to travel for fear of being kidnapped and being subjected to paying heavy ransom in addition to psychological trauma, if they are not brutally murdered. When farmers are scared of going to farm because of bandits.

“And what happened to our intelligence? There is no country that can survive insecurity in the world without good intelligence, precisely, human intelligence. Why can’t the government have men from the intelligence section that will be on the mission to dig out the secret of this banditry. And the citizens too support with intelligent information when they see something that they say something. Because these bandits are also human being and some are living among the different communities.

“The younger generation had to form militias across the country like Amoteku, IPOBs, Arewas etc. If younger generations can be formed into vigilantes, why can’t the younger generation be recruited into the Army?

Lamenting that “the safest place in any country should be the Federal Capital, but it’s so pathetic that the Federal Capital of our dear nation, is now being constantly attacked by these evil men. I am afraid of what else to expect as it’s as if even our military men are finding it difficult to protect our territorial integrity from the invading terrorists coming from other countries to wreck havock on our dear country.”

Calling on our lawmakers to sponsor a bill that will recommend capital punishment for bandits and terrorists since it’s been used to snif life out of innocent Nigerians. He also called on the executive to employ and train more vibrant and younger Nigerians who are willing to join either the military or the police and pay our security men well as well as introduce insensitive that will boost their moral.

Concluding by calling on the America and other western nations not to watch Nigeria crashing under the yoke of insecurity, but come to our aid. And that the APC led federal government school keep pride aside and call for help from countries that can help the country. “As we cannot continue to claim to be the Giant of Africa when insecurity has turned to giants terrorising Nigerians”.

Fadojoe Suggests Solutions To The Insecurity Ravaging Nigeria Capital

Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative aka Rescue Movement For New Nigeria and a former presidential aspirant under Labour Party, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph has raised alarm over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, especially as bandits are now ravaging the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria as he also proffer solution to the insecurity bedeviling Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a broadcast on his official YouTube channel on Saturday January 27, 2024.

The activist popularly called Fadojoe, in the broadcast noted that, “the insecurity in our country calls for serious concern for anyone in Nigeria. Gone are the days when anyone can sleep outside, when you can travel on the road any time and when we move freely without fear of being abducted.

Calling on the Inspector General of Police IGP and the Service Chiefs need to take it as a responsibility to end this menace that is also affecting the economy of the nation negatively. And has since assumed alarming rate to the extent that the capital city of Nigeria that supposed to be one of the safest places in Nigeria is now being ravaged freely by the bandits.

“Obviously, no country can survive economically when there is such insecurity, when traders are afraid to travel for fear of being kidnapped and being subjected to paying heavy ransom in addition to psychological trauma, if they are not brutally murdered. When farmers are scared of going to farm because of bandits.

“And what happened to our intelligence? There is no country that can survive insecurity in the world without good intelligence, precisely, human intelligence. Why can’t the government have men from the intelligence section that will be on the mission to dig out the secret of this banditry. And the citizens too support with intelligent information when they see something that they say something. Because these bandits are also human being and some are living among the different communities.

“The younger generation had to form militias across the country like Amoteku, IPOBs, Arewas etc. If younger generations can be formed into vigilantes, why can’t the younger generation be recruited into the Army?

Lamenting that “the safest place in any country should be the Federal Capital, but it’s so pathetic that the Federal Capital of our dear nation, is now being constantly attacked by these evil men. I am afraid of what else to expect as it’s as if even our military men are finding it difficult to protect our territorial integrity from the invading terrorists coming from other countries to wreck havock on our dear country.”

Calling on our lawmakers to sponsor a bill that will recommend capital punishment for bandits and terrorists since it’s been used to snif life out of innocent Nigerians. He also called on the executive to employ and train more vibrant and younger Nigerians who are willing to join either the military or the police and pay our security men well as well as introduce insensitive that will boost their moral.

Concluding by calling on the America and other western nations not to watch Nigeria crashing under the yoke of insecurity, but come to our aid. And that the APC led federal government school keep pride aside and call for help from countries that can help the country. “As we cannot continue to claim to be the Giant of Africa when insecurity has turned to giants terrorising Nigerians”.

Alleged Scholarship Non-payment: Hon. Gabriel Saleh Debunks Allegations Raised By Students

 … Says it’s concocted lies to damage his image 

Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Gabriel Saleh has debunked story making rounds in the media about some students, who claimed they were promised scholarships and not paid in the end . 

The lawmaker,described the allegations raised by the students in the sponsored write-up as not only frivolous , but also concocted lies to damage his hard earned political image. 

In the published story , some Medical Students and others Science Students from Kachia Kagarko Federal Constituency had cried out  over ‘Political gimmick’  of the former member and vowed to vote him out.”

Reacting in a press statement personally signed , Hon. Gabriel Saleh, said he never made any promise of sort and failed during the course his stay as House of Rep member and entire political career . 

He further explained:”I was popularly voted by the good people of Kachia/Kagarko to represented them in the House of Representatives and I did my very best to do so,while my tenure lasted. 

“For the records,  they should cross check again in Kaduna State University, (KASU), when my team went to pay scholarships for students that were captured,located and paid accordingly . Anyone  in doubt should go to KASU and ask the Student Captured if they got it or not. 

“All that I did were documented and there was no time that I promised and failed our people.

“Those that were captured  for scholarships  by team  were shortlisted and  paid to KASU . Before  going to  press, I expected those who carried such frivolous story to confirm whether those captured got it or not .” 

The lawmaker,who expressed displeasure over the story noted ,” I have four years tenure, how would I promised to take off tuition fees for medical students who will be in school after my 4 years tenure.

While describing the story as the  handiwork of political enemies, who are  threatened by his popularity, he said, “It’s a matter of time, God will vindicate me and expose their evil machinations.”

Speaking about the Petition with claim that he supporter Labour Party presidential candidate during the elections , Hon. Saleh simply referred  the detractors  to Hon. Faleke.”  

He however stressed, ” Anyone in doubt about my contributions to Asiwaju’s campaign and election victory should ask my  colleague Faleke ,who was  then the Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council of Asiwaju.”

According to him, the public should know that the faceless group,which wrote the petition under  guise of ‘Concerned APC Members Kaduna State’ (Kachia/Kagarko Federal constituency) was sponsored to de-campaign him . Adding  that If there was a need for a petition, it should come from the party Chairman of the polling unit, ward or even the State office.

He explained further,”There are 22 wards , why is it that there are no signatures from the wards? That is to show that the whole idea is a lie and calculated attempts to reduce my popularity ahead of the by-election. 

Meanwhile, he disclosed ,”My campaign is going on and will continue until the D-Day of the by-election.”

On his achievements ,Hon. Saleh said,” We provided 36 major projects ranging from hospitals; schools Boreholes and also sponsored a bill to create a Federal college of agriculture, Kagarko, which has gone through  the second reading and ready for public hearing.

He also revealed ,”We touched lives  of so many people including widows, orphans, youths,students Traditional and religious leaders.

“We organized an annual programme  tagged “Peace Conference” where lectures on peace and  conflict resolution are taught while at the end fertilizers and rice were shared to farmers and the less privileged with  cash donations to indigent families. Over 110 motorcycles and some vehicles were distributed and good number of our youths employed  in critical positions.

“And these good works ,we have promised to continue to do if re-elected.”

In a reaction to the issue  of petition against Hon. Saleh via telephone,the Chairman of  All Progressives Congress (APC), Kachia local Government, explained: In the first place, most of those who signed the petition are not our party members. How did they arrive at the conclusion that Hon. Gabriel Saleh Har was engaged in anti party activities at any time ,when they not  members of the party? 

“One name we saw on the so called petition, Junaidu is a suspended member of the party. He was caught red- handed on video working against our lawmaker for the upcoming rerun election.Another person who signed ,was the former party secretary, Mr. Daniel Ibrahim ,who has debunked signing the petition and the other persons is not our members. The Petition does not hold water as far as we are concerned, thus should be disregarded . 

“On the the forthcoming rerun election for Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency, the Chairman said , ” APC is battle ready for landslide victory.All we know is that Hon Gabriel Saleh Har is a loyal party member, who has always sponsored the party and its activities without looking back.We know him as one  who takes care of the party.Of course, if you’re in power, you will have more enemies, more so, that he’s widely known  for  given to people and helping the less privileged .

“Ahead of the rerun the party,we are more determined  and working tirelessly to ensure overwhelming victory God willing.”

Similar, the APC Chairman Kagarko local Government area, Mr. Christopher Mailafiya discredited the petition and described  it  as a “Fiction of imagination” of the writers. 

” We can’t allow such shenanigans to distract us from winning the forthcoming rerun election . Hon. remains the candidate to beat and the party is leaving no stone unturned to make  sure Hon. is again returned as our House of Representatives member.”

APC Chieftain Congratulates Kaduna Governor on Supreme Court Victory

All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Comrade Musa Mohammed, lauded the outcome as a divine orchestration and urged the governor to embrace inclusivity in governance for sustained development.

In a congratulatory message, Comrade Mohammed expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s ability to propel kaduna state towards unprecedented progress and set an example for other states in Nigeria.

The APC stalwart’s counsel for magnanimity in victory reflects a call for a leadership approach that fosters unity and collaboration. By reaching out to all segments of society, Governor Uba Sani can harness the collective potential of Kaduna populace, yielding enduring advancements. This advice underscores the importance of nurturing a cohesive and inclusive administration to advance the state’s welfare.

The Supreme Court’s pivotal ruling and Uba Sani’s felicitation amplify the relevance of this verdict beyond regional borders, signifying a triumph with transcendent implications. As the people of kaduna celebrates this legal affirmation, the global audience gains insight into the dynamics of Nigerian politics and the imperative of holistic governance.

He said the legal battle is part of the democratic process that should be cherished and supported irrespective of the outcome as it has allowed all players to seek legal redress through the courts as prescribed under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

the APC Chieftain however, said this is the right time for progressive governance which Governor Uba Sani should utilise to deliver to the people key elements of good governance which comprises consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable and inclusive.

“He should rule the state with the fear of God and provide dividends of democracy to assuage the sufferings of the people.

Kaduna guber: Supreme Court judgment has been reserved till a date that would be communicated to parties.

By Comrade Musa Mohammed

….As INEC, APC ask Supreme Court to ignore PDP’s appeal

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have asked the Supreme Court to ignore the appeal brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate, Mohammed Ashiru Isa.

INEC and APC in separate preliminary objections against hearing of the appeal insisted that the petition by the PDP and Isa is incompetent and worthless to be considered for adjudication.

At Thursday’s proceedings, the two respondents drew the attention of the apex court to the findings by the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal to the effect that the petition was not filed in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Among others, the electoral body and the APC maintained that records established that the petitioners acted in breach of Paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022, when they prematurely applied to the tribunal for the issuance of a pre-hearing notice.

They explained that the law provided that such an application must be filed seven days after the close of pleadings by the parties.

According to them, the law is that a case must be initiated by due process of the law.

They subsequently asked the Supreme Court to turn down any request to attach probative value to the appeal and to either strike out the appeal or dismiss it in its entirety.

INEC and APC were represented by Abdullahi Aliyu, SAN, and Mohammed Sani Katu, SAN, respectively.

In the main appeal, governor Uba Sani represented by Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal for want of merit and substance.

Ojo, a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice canvassed that the totality of the case of the PDP and its governorship candidate did not establish any of their allegations.

The senior lawyer argued that most of the appellants’ witness statements were invalid because they were not filed alongside the petition.

Besides, the former AGF informed the apex court that the witnesses brought by the appellants gave hearsay evidence against the March 18, 2023 election of governor Uba Sani.

He thereafter asked that the appeal be dismissed and that the concurrent findings of the Court of Appeal and the Tribunal which had earlier upheld the election of his client be upheld.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who led a panel of five Justices, after taking arguments from lawyers, announced that judgment has been reserved till a date that would be communicated to parties.

The court of appeal in Abuja had on November 24 last year in a unanimous judgment affirmed the election of Uba Sani as Kaduna State governor.

The PDP and Ashiru challenged the outcome of the governorship election held in the state on March 18.

They alleged that Uba was not duly elected by a majority of valid votes cast in the election, adding that the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

They further alleged that some polling unit results were wrongfully cancelled, insisting that there were inconsistencies in accreditation records from the INEC.

However, in a judgment delivered on September 28, two of the three Tribunal judges dismissed the petition on technical grounds.

Victor Oviawie, who led the panel, said that the petition was deemed abandoned because the PDP and its candidate did not file their pre-hearing application within the time prescribed by law.