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PDP Cautions CJN As Apex Court Denies Ariwoola Statement.

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After appearing to get caught up in a political controversy yesterday, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, distanced himself from a claimed statement on the actions of the G5 Governors, or displeased governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This occurred when the PDP accused the CJN of interfering with and meddling in the party’s internal affairs.


According to reports, Ariwoola expressed his satisfaction that Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, is a G5 Governor.
Given the sensitive nature of the position he holds, critics had said that the statement revealed the head of the court to be supporting politics when he was supposed to be apolitical.

They provided two examples.
First, one of the five PDP governors, Makinde, welcomed the CJN to a reception shortly after he took office, where he is alleged to have made the contentious remark.

Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi are among the other members of the G5 who are opposed to the PDP’s leadership and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Enugu).

The Oyo State capital function where Ariwoola was hosted was attended by the other four governors.

PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja, yesterday, said: “While the PDP has the utmost respect for the institution of the judiciary, our party rejects any action or utterance by any judicial officer, let alone the CJN, that undermines the integrity of the judiciary.

“By delving into the internal affairs of the PDP at a public event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, where he was reported to have referred to the political activities of some PDP governors, which comment is viewed to be encouraging division in our party, the PDP posits that the CJN’s action is unacceptable and inconsistent with his status as the head of the judicial arm of government.

“Our party is worried that such partisan comment by the CJN is in violation of his Oath of Office as the head of the country’s judicial arm which is expected to be impartial and non-partisan.

“Irrespective of the circumstance or situation, the CJN is expected to be circumspect at all times and avoid partisan actions and utterances that are likely to erode the institutional integrity of the judiciary and bring it to disrepute especially as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections.”

The PDP spokesperson added that Nigerians expected the CJN, with his experience, to be in a position to advise, rebuke and punish members of the judicial arm who got entangled in the political arena.

“The fact that the CJN himself is the one reportedly violating this critical ethic of neutrality, fairness and respect for the Oath of Office for Judicial Officers raises serious concern in our polity”, he said.

“The question is, how do Nigerians and especially the PDP trust that the CJN will be an even-handed arbiter in any case or matter relating to internal issues in our Party or those connected to other political parties?

“It is instructive to note that the test for a Judge to recuse himself from a matter is the ‘likelihood of bias’ and the CJN is expected to be mindful of that test in his public engagements”.

Rebuttal

But the apex court, in a reaction, stressed that Ariwoola never made any comments to the effect that he was happy that his home state governor, Seyi Makinde, is among the G5 Governors.

A statement by the Director of Information and Press, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande, said that those crediting the CJN with the comments were just out to score cheap political goals.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication with the caption “I am happy, Makinde is among G5 Governors” making the rounds in both conventional and social media.

“We wish to state unequivocally clear that the CJN had never at any point said such during his brief remarks at the State Banquet organised as part of the events lined up for the commissioning of the two judiciary projects undertaken by the Rivers State government.

“Issues bordering on misconceptions and misrepresentations of this nature are not always strange in times like this when the country is preparing for general elections, as some people may want to take advantage of every opportunity to score very cheap goals.

“We wish to set the record straight by making it clear that the CJN and other senior Judicial Officers drawn from different parts of the country were in Port Harcourt on Thursday and Friday, to commission the two buildings to accommodate the Federal Judicial Service Commission’s South-South Liaison Office and the Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili Judicial Institute, that were conceptualized and constructed by the Rivers State Government.

“Even at the State Banquet organised as part of the events, the CJN made it clear in his brief remarks, that he (CJN) was not in Port Harcourt for the State Banquet but simply to commission the two projects as a mark of honour for the Judiciary and Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, CFR, JSC, Rtd and later go back to Abuja thereafter.

“Similarly, he said he was very surprised to see the “G5 Governors” (“Integrity Group Governors”), just as he equally expressed the same surprise when he saw them in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the reception organised in his honour by his state government in October.

“His surprise particularly stemmed from the fact that he saw his own State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde (who incidentally is a member of the “G5 Governors”) at the Port Harcourt occasion.

“He equally stated jocularly that being that HE Engineer Makinde married from Rivers State and is equally very close to HE Nyesome Wike, he would be able to replicate the developmental strides of the latter in Oyo State for the good of the citizenry.

“This, of course, is a comment that, ordinarily, ought to elicit applause and not myopic misrepresentations, as governance is all about positive comparisons and healthy competition.

“Anyone or group of individuals making these unconscionable assumptions and pervading the misinformation are by implication, creating the impression that it is now a crime for the CJN to have come from Oyo state, which coincidentally, has a member of the group, Engineer Seyi Makinde, as the Governor.

“Let it be noted that anything said, assumed, presumed, reported or placed in the public domain outside the above facts, is simply a mere figment of the imagination of such authors and doesn’t in any way represent what the CJN said in Port Harcourt, as we are not ready to join issues with such purveyors of misinformation”.

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“Name Anyone In ADC As Corrupt As APC Members” — Ex-Osun Governor Osunbor Sparks Debate.

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A former Governor of Edo State, Oserheimen Osunbor, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the strongest platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Osunbor said the ADC represents hope for improved governance in Nigeria, insisting that the country is in urgent need of a leadership reset.

He made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he reacted to recent political developments and defections involving the party.

Osunbor dismissed concerns over defections from the ADC, arguing that the party is actually recording more gains than losses.

He said, “There are more people joining the ADC than those leaving. That should give you cause to be happy.

“There is freedom of association, but if at the end of the day there is net gain rather than net loss, we should be satisfied. We don’t have any right to tie anybody down.”

The former governor maintained that the ADC remains a credible political alternative for the 2027 presidential election, adding that Nigeria urgently needs a proper leadership selection process capable of producing competent leaders.

He said, “It offers the best option to rescue Nigeria, to reintroduce good governance in Nigeria because nothing will work unless the leadership recruitment structure is gotten right.”

He further stressed that democratic institutions must be strengthened and allowed to function independently for meaningful national progress.

“Unless democratic institutions are allowed to function as they should, unless the laws and regulations and due process are followed, we will continue to sink deeper into the morass of underdevelopment,” he added.

Osunbor Alleges Plot Against ADC

Osunbor also alleged that some of the legal challenges facing the ADC were politically engineered to weaken the opposition party.

He said, “The legal problems confronting the ADC are orchestrated. I just gave you an example of somebody who was already out of the ADC for a long time, but he was encouraged to stay there and scatter them, fight them.”

He further expressed concern over what he described as increasing executive interference in state institutions, particularly the judiciary.

“What bothers Nigerians is executive interference and the judiciary,” he said.

Responding to criticisms that the ADC is filled with politicians who have held office without significant achievements, Osunbor defended the party’s members.

He said, “Name anybody in ADC who is as bad, who is as corrupt or who is as vile as those in APC.

“If you tell me one corrupt person in ADC, I can show you ten in APC. There is no perfection in this world. Because if we are bad, we are not as bad as the APC.”

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MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Bias In Airport Chapel Project, Relief Distribution.

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government of showing bias in the proposed construction of a N25 billion ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Friday, the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the project—reportedly being developed in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)—raises concerns about fairness and equal treatment of religious groups in the country.

MURIC also criticised what it described as uneven distribution of relief funds, pointing to the alleged allocation of N2 billion to victims of violence in Plateau State, while claiming that other affected states such as Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kwara received no comparable support.

The group further questioned reports that N1.2 billion was shared among the 19 northern states for Eid al-Kabir celebrations, arguing that the amount was disproportionately lower compared to the Plateau intervention.

“How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion? But is it right to treat Muslims like second class citizens, animal farm?” the statement read.

MURIC also called on the Federal Government to clarify its plans regarding Muslim religious infrastructure, urging equal consideration in the allocation of resources.

“So we must ask the federal government to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to Muslims to build their grand national mosque. Of course, the federal government must not forget the N25 billion cooling off somewhere in the Central Bank which will accompany the land allocation for Muslims,” the group added.

The organisation urged authorities to uphold fairness and inclusivity in governance, warning that perceived imbalance could heighten religious tensions in the country.

As of the time of this report, neither the Federal Government nor the Christian Association of Nigeria has issued a response to the allegations.

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Shock Reward: E-Money Gifts Carter Efe ₦50 Million Following Portable Boxing Defeat

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Lagos socialite and businessman, Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, has confirmed that he will fulfil his ₦50 million pledge to social media comedian Carter Efe.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This comes after Carter Efe secured a unanimous decision victory over street-hop artist Habeeb Badmus, popularly known as Portable, at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event held on Friday night at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

E-Money reaffirmed his promise after the Chief Executive Officer of Balmoral Group Promotions, Ezekiel Adamu, raised the issue at the end of the event.

He congratulated Carter Efe on his win and reiterated his commitment to the reward.

E-Money said, “You know we put our money where our mouth is, and so congratulations Carter on your win. ₦50 million for you.”

Adamu also praised the success of the event, noting that it met expectations.

He said, “We promised Chaos in the Ring and we have delivered very entertaining fights tonight. There is more coming, thanks to everyone that made this a success and to the fighters for the great display.”

The fight between Carter Efe and Portable was preceded by weeks of heated exchanges between both entertainers.

Portable came into the bout with prior celebrity boxing wins over Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington, which had earned him two belts. Before the fight, he confidently declared that Carter Efe would be his next opponent to secure a third title.

He said, “I will use you to collect my third belt. Charles Okocha was bigger than you, Speed Darlington was bigger than you and I beat them. I will beat you now.”

Carter Efe responded simply, saying, “One punch and you fall.”

When the fight began, Portable opened aggressively with wild punches, but Carter Efe controlled the pace using his height and reach advantage.

As the rounds progressed, Portable continued with wide swings and clinches, while Carter Efe landed cleaner, more effective combinations.

At the end of the bout, all three judges scored it 27–30 in favour of Carter Efe, awarding him a unanimous decision victory and the celebrity boxing title.

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