Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has questioned whether the circumstances surrounding the court judgment that nullified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s candidacy for the Imo West Senatorial District election reflected what some have described as the “voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Abati examined the controversy surrounding the ruling and warned against making unsubstantiated claims about possible external influence on the judiciary.

The former presidential aide stressed that the legal battle was not yet over, pointing to the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Abati explained that the Imo APC had raised constitutional concerns relating to Section 285, particularly the provision stipulating that pre-election cases must be instituted within 14 days.

According to him, the party argued that Senator Rochas Okorocha, who challenged Uzodimma’s candidacy, failed to file the case within the constitutionally prescribed period.

He noted that the Court of Appeal would have the opportunity to review issues surrounding the procedure, timing, technicalities and evidence presented before the lower court.

Abati maintained that the legal questions raised by the Imo APC should be resolved through the appellate process rather than through speculation about the circumstances surrounding the judgment.

He said, “So the matter is not ended yet. They will go to the Appeal Court, and then, the Appeal Court will be able to look at the issues either about procedure, about timing, about technicality, about evidence, how evidence was filed, and whether the procedure should have been originating summons or another thing.

“That’s the purpose of an Appeal Court.

“Finally on that subject is the fact this is the voice of Jacob and the hand Esau, without putting on the table the implications of that caveat, because I’ve seen some people saying there are questions to be raised about some people having powers over the judiciary. But we cannot speculate in that regard.”

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Pat Utomi, has said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, plans to strengthen the naira to ₦500 against the US dollar if elected president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As of Friday, the naira traded at ₦1,346.86 per dollar on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), while the dollar exchanged for approximately ₦1,385 in the parallel market.

In a post on X, Utomi explained that strengthening the naira from about ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would help tackle inflation, reduce poverty and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

He described the proposed exchange rate as a key component of Obi’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Utomi projected that the price of a loaf of sliced bread could fall from ₦1,750 to ₦800, while a 50kg bag of imported rice could drop from ₦55,000 to ₦27,500.

He further estimated that a medium-sized tuber of yam could decline from ₦2,400 to ₦1,200, while a 50kg bag of maize could reduce from ₦75,000 to ₦37,500.

According to him, the price of a bunch of plantain could also fall from ₦2,500 to ₦1,250, while a whole chicken could become cheaper, dropping from ₦7,000 to ₦3,500.

The NDC chieftain also listed petrol and cement among the commodities expected to become more affordable under the proposed economic programme.

Utomi said the party was convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by strengthening the naira from ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would be a winning strategy.

“We are convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by reasonably strengthening it from ₦1,350/$ to ₦500/$ as part of our manifesto is a winning strategy.

“It offers a direct, multi-faceted approach to curbing inflation, reducing poverty, and lowering the cost of living,” he said.

He added that the proposal reflects the party’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those affected by multidimensional poverty.

“It clearly demonstrates our concrete plan to uplift the 140 million Nigerians currently experiencing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated six executive directors to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), forwarding their names to the Senate for confirmation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development was announced on Friday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, three of the nominees are returning directors seeking reappointment, while the remaining three are new appointments.

If confirmed by the Senate, all six nominees will serve five-year terms.

The three nominees seeking reappointment are Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director of Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community.

The newly nominated directors are Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ms Ogechukwu Modie, Executive Director of Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Said Abutalib, Executive Director of Corporate Services and Administration.

President Tinubu has asked the Senate to give the nominations prompt consideration to ensure continuity within the Authority and strengthen its regulatory and oversight responsibilities.

The President also approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board/Authority and Legal Adviser, subject to the completion of the statutory procedures outlined in Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

It will be recalled that Tinubu appointed Engr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the chief executive of the agency in April.