KICNEWS

Category: Politics

  • Supreme Court Affirms Election Of Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Govs

    Supreme Court Affirms Election Of Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Govs

    Supreme Court Affirms Election Of Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Govs

    Election

    The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the election of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, his counterparts in Bayelsa, Duoye Diri and Kogi, Usman Ododo.

    Last year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the trio the winners of the off-cycle governorship poll which held on November 11, 2023 in their respective states.

    The three governors secured their victory in different court siting yesterday in Abuja, Channels TV reports.

    For Uzodimma, INEC said he polled 540,308 votes to beat Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 71,503 votes; and Athan Achonu of the Labour Party (LP) who secured 64,081 votes.

    Not satisfied with the tribunal’s verdict that ruled in Uzodimma’s favour, they approached the appeal court for redress.

    Hearing the case in Abuja, the apex court dismissed the two appeals filed by the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their governorship candidate challenging Uzodimma’s victory at the polls.

    The appeals of the LP governorship candidate, Athan Achonu and that of PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, were dismissed for want of merit by the Supreme Court which consequently affirmed Uzodinma as a lawfully elected governor of Imo State.

    In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, the LP and PDP gubernatorial candidates were said to have failed to establish allegations of overvoting and other malpractices against the November 11, 2023 poll.

    In Kogi, Murtala Ajaka, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, petition to unseat Gov. Ododo over allegations of age falsification and certificate forgery were dismissed for lacking merit.

    In a unanimous judgment on Friday, the apex court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal which on May 27 affirmed Ododo’s election.

    In Bayelsa, the situation was similar as the apex court affirmed Senator Duoye Diri’s re-election, thus dismissing the appeal of the APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva.

    A five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Lawal Garba, on Friday affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal of July 15 which deemed Sylva’s appeal as an abuse of Court process for filing two notices of appeal.

  • President Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN

    President Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN

    President Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN

    Acting CJN
    Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

    President Bola Tinubu has just sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

    Justice Kekere-Ekun took her Oaths at about 11:38am and took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left-hand side of the President at exactly 11:45am.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun is starting her new role as CJN following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.

    This appointment has made her the second female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who held briefs between July 2012 and November 2014. She will operate in an acting capacity until she is confirmed by the Senate.

    Among those who witnessed the event were other Justices of the Supreme Court; president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu and the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola, amongst others.

  • Cameroon President to contest again at 93

    Cameroon President to contest again at 93

    Cameroon President to contest again at 93

    Cameroon President
    Paul Biya

    Cameroon’s longest-serving president, Paul Biya is set to contest the country’s presidential election again at the age of 93.

    He is currently 91 years old and will contest in the 2026 Presidential Election to seek an eighth term, by which time he will be 93.

    Founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa, Kennedy Wandera disclosed this Thursday,  August 22, citing TheEastAfrican.

    The report read: “Cameroon is due to hold its next presidential election in 2025, longtime President Paul Biya will be 93. He has confirmed that he will contest.

    “If he wins the election, and completes the new seven-year mandate, Biya will be 100 years in 2032.

    According to the report, Biya’s decision to delay the election by a year (postponed from 2025 to 2026), and to allow him to contest despite his age, has angered the opposition in Cameroon.

    The report stated that opposition politicians may not be allowed to contest, leaving Biya free to win again and serve for 7 years.

    Biya has served as the President for 42 years since 1982. He also served as the Prime Minister for 7 years from 1975 to 1982 before then.

    The Cameroon president postponed the Parliamentary and Municipal elections until 2026.

    “Cameroon’s parliament last month approved Biya’s request to postpone parliamentary and Municipal elections until 2026 to allow some breathing space, claiming that the political calendar is crowded,” the report said.

  • New CJN: Tinubu To Swear In Justice Kekere-Ekun immediately

    New CJN: Tinubu To Swear In Justice Kekere-Ekun immediately

    New CJN: Tinubu To Swear In Justice Kekere-Ekun immediately

    Justice Kekere-Ekun
    Justice-Kudirat-Kekere-Ekun

    President Bola Tinubu will on Friday swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

    He said the swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun will succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Thursday after clocking the retirement age of 70 years.

    The President also congratulated Ariwoola, whose stint in the judiciary he described as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.

    “President Bola Tinubu congratulates Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, as he retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career,” the statement read.

    “President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.

    “President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.”

  • Breaking: Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria

    Breaking: Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria

    Breaking: Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria

    Olukayode Ariwoola
    Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola

    Justice Olukayode Ariwoola officially retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday, August 22, 2024, marking the end of his distinguished judicial career.

    Justice Ariwoola whose 70th birthday coincided with his retirement called for judicial reforms that could help to reduce the burden on the supreme court.

    He explained that there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.

    Justice Ariwoola stated this at a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja. He said access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.

    Justice Ariwoola explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard.

    He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.

    Then President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ariwoola as acting CJN in June 2022 following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. Ariwoola was subsequently sworn in October of the same year following his confirmation by the Senate.

    Ariwoola was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.

    He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of laws degree with honours in July 1980. In July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.

  • Ogun REC, Niyi Ijalaye slumps, dies after a meeting in Abuja

    Ogun REC, Niyi Ijalaye slumps, dies after a meeting in Abuja

    Ogun REC, Niyi Ijalaye slumps, dies after a meeting in Abuja

    Niyi Ijalaye

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Niyi Ijalaye, has slumped and died after a meeting at the headquarters in Abuja.

    A source who spoke to Channels TV revealed that the former Resident Electoral Commissioner had returned to his hotel room after the meeting before the incident happened.

    The cause of his death is yet unknown.

    The meeting presided over by the INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, centred on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as discussions on seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.

    Niyi Ijalaye, an Indigene of Ondo State was said to have participated actively during the meeting and was in good spirits before the death later in the evening.

  • Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso rejects loan from IMF

    Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso rejects loan from IMF

    Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso rejects loan from IMF

    Ibrahim Traore
    Burkina Faso’s President, Ibrahim Traore

    Burkina Faso’s Defacto leader, Ibrahim Traore has rejected a financial assistance offer from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Tekedia reported that the military leader rejected the loan amidst economic challenges affecting his country.

    The IMF, known for providing financial support to countries in need, had approved a substantial arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility for Burkina Faso, aimed at addressing the country’s balance of payments problems and supporting economic resilience and poverty reduction efforts. However, President Traore’s administration has opted to turn down this offer.

    One of the key reasons cited for rejecting the IMF’s assistance is the belief that such aid could perpetuate economic dependency and limit the country’s control over its financial decisions. There is also a sentiment that accepting the aid could keep the country ensnared in a cycle of debt.

    This perspective aligns with a broader trend among some African leaders who are re-evaluating the long-term implications of international financial aid and expressing a preference for policies that promote autonomy and self-determination.

    Additionally, the decision reflects concerns about the potential for international financial institutions to influence domestic policy and priorities. By turning down the IMF assistance, Burkina Faso is asserting its financial sovereignty and demonstrating a commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its citizens above external pressures.

  • Breaking: Thailand’s Parliament elects new Prime Minister

    Breaking: Thailand’s Parliament elects new Prime Minister

    Breaking: Thailand’s Parliament elects new Prime Minister

    New Prime Minister
    Thailand’s PM, Paetongtarn Shinawatra

    Thailand’s parliament has picked Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of the country’s former leader Thaksin, as their new Prime Minister.

    At 37, will serve as the country’s youngest PM and the second woman in the post, after her aunt Yingluck.

    Her selection comes two days after former PM Srettha Thavisin was removed by a constitutional court for violating the constitution. Both are from the Pheu Thai Party, which came second in the 2023 election but formed a ruling coalition.

    Ms Paetongtarn is the fourth member of the Shinawatra clan to lead Thailand in the past two decades.

    She was educated in Thailand before proceeding to the University of Surrey in the UK for her Masters. She has played an advisory role in government before her selection.

    She joined Pheu Thai in 2021 and was appointed party leader in October 2023.

  • N21M Salary: I’m vindicated – Shehu Sani tells RMFAC

    N21M Salary: I’m vindicated – Shehu Sani tells RMFAC

    N21M Salary: I’m vindicated – Shehu Sani tells RMFAC

    Shehu Sani
    Senator Shehu Sani

    Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker, says he has been vindicated by the confession of Senator Kawu on receiving N21 million monthly as salaries and allowances.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District had earlier claimed that senators receive a monthly running cost of ₦13.5m in addition to a ₦750,000 salary.

    Reacting to this claim, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) refuted Sani and stated that the salary of a senator stands around N1.06 million.

    However, in a twist of events, a lawmaker of the Nigerian Senate, Sumaila Kawu, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service said his salary and other allowances amount to N21m every month.

    He said this serves as funds needed for the running cost of his office as a senator. The lawmaker also stated that the few deductions on his salary are done by the RMFAC.

    Reacting to Kawu’s revelation, Sani took to X to write: “Yesterday, the RMFAC refuted my statement but I’m vindicated by Senator Kawu Sumaila who confirmed that the monthly alert is N21 million and not N1 million.

    “RMFAC make una mind yourself.”

    The controversy surrounding the salaries of lawmakers started after former president Olusegun Obasanjo alleged that members of the National Assembly fixed their salaries.

    Obasanjo also said that the present crop of lawmakers are being bribed by the executive.

  • We are paid N21m per month, Senator Kawu reveals

    We are paid N21m per month, Senator Kawu reveals

    We are paid N21m per month, Senator Kawu reveals

    Senator Kawu
    Senator Sumaila Kawu

    The lawmaker representing Kano South, Senator Sumaila Kawu, has revealed that senators are paid the sum of N21m per month as the cost of running their office.

    In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Kawu said the official pay of N1 million fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) drops to around N600,000 after deductions.

    However, he added that other allowances elevate their total pay to N21 million per month.

    The lawmaker said the allowances include office running, newspaper money, local travel and others.

    Lindaikejisblog reported that Kawu made the revelation a day after RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu said senators only get N1.06m monthly.

    But in his BBC Hausa interview, Kawu said, “The amount of salary received per month is less than N1 million. If there are cuts, it comes back to about N600,000. In the Senate, each senator is given N21 million every month as the cost of running his office.”