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Supreme Court reserves judgment in Kano governorship legal battle.

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After an intense legal battle lasting six hours, the Supreme Court in Abuja, on Thursday, withheld its decision in the Kano State Governorship legal dispute. The focal point of the conflict involved the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with their respective governorship candidates, Kabir Yusuf and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Chief Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the Supreme Court to overturn the decisions of both the Appeal Court and the Tribunal. Olanipekun specifically implored the five-member panel of the Apex Court, led by Justice John Inyang Okoro, to determine whether the guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could serve as grounds for invalidating the election victory of a candidate who secured a margin exceeding 100,000 votes.

The senior lawyer contended that it was unprecedented in electoral jurisprudence for an election to be annulled based on the absence of signatures or stamps on the back of ballot papers. He argued that INEC guidelines did not anticipate the courts nullifying an election due to INEC’s alleged failure to stamp the back of ballot papers.

The legal team for the governor asserted that their client’s affiliation with the NNPP was a pre-election matter, and the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain it. Olanipekun expressed dissatisfaction with the judgments of the lower courts and urged the Supreme Court to overturn them.

In a counter-argument, Chief Akin Olujimi, counsel for the APC, maintained that the Electoral Act required INEC presiding officers to sign the back of ballot papers after the conclusion of the election for them to be considered legal. Olujimi stated that the tribunal’s findings revealed that the ballot papers were not signed or dated, leading to the cancellation of the election where these ballots were used.

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Regarding party membership, Olujimi argued that the NNPP membership register did not list Abba Yusuf’s name. INEC’s counsel, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, supported Olanipekun’s arguments, asserting that the decisions of the lower courts were flawed.

After hearing arguments from all parties, Justice Okoro reserved judgment on the governor’s appeal. The tribunal had previously nullified Yusuf’s election in September, citing over 160,000 invalid votes due to missing signatures and stamps on the ballot papers. The APC had contested the election outcome, alleging electoral malpractice, and the Court of Appeal later dismissed the NNPP candidate’s appeal against the tribunal’s judgment, affirming the APC candidate as the winner of the governorship poll held on March 18.

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Why I may not hesitate to support Peter Obi in 2027 – Atiku Abubakar

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has suggested he might support Peter Obi, his Labour Party counterpart from the last election, in 2027.

The former Vice President, currently in merger talks with stakeholders from various opposition political parties, indicated he would back Obi if the Labour Party nominates him for the next election.

According to The Sun, Atiku made this statement during an interview with BBC Hausa Service.

It was recently reported by DAILY POST that Obi and Atiku had a closed-door meeting, sparking rumors about a potential merger of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku confirmed the efforts of opposition parties to align in order to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election, saying, “We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.”

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Atiku added that if the new party decides it’s the turn of the South-East and chooses Peter Obi, he would not hesitate to support him.

“I have said repeatedly, and even before the 2023 general elections, that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it.

“But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was open to all members of the party,” Atiku explained.

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I once struggled with pornography – Bishop Oyedepo’s son, Isaac

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Isaac Oyedepo, son of Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church, has admitted to having struggled with pornography at one point in his life.

Isaac revealed that he became involved with pornography during a trip to a European country.

Speaking on the podcast “Confession Box,” Isaac shared that he overcame this challenge with God’s help.

He explained: “My confessions are positive and meant to help others. I struggled with pornography before.

“I remember how it began; we traveled to a country, and I was alone in my room. I turned on the TV, and that’s how it started.

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“But God helped me overcome it quickly. Many people still struggle with it, and I think if someone who had previously struggled with it had approached me and showed me how to break free, I would have overcome it sooner.

“Some topics are often avoided, but today, many pastors and church members still struggle with this issue.

“You might be anointed and performing signs and wonders, but that doesn’t mean you are living right.

“There’s an old saying that if it works, it means you’re standing right, but I found out that’s not always true. There were times I realized I wasn’t right, but grace and mercy found me.

“For the sake of someone genuine in the congregation, God can bypass you to reach that person; this is my confession.”

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Alleged Corruption: Rights lawyer petitions Minister, seeks suspension of NSCDC CG, Audi

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Former Special Prosecutor for the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Properties, Tosin Ojaomo, has petitioned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, regarding an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into corruption allegations against Ahmed Audi, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Ojaomo recommended Audi’s immediate suspension to ensure public safety and protect the integrity of the investigation from possible interference.

The petition, dated May 15 and made available to DAILY POST, was addressed to Tunji-Ojo and copied to President Bola Tinubu, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, and EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede.

Ojaomo highlighted that the EFCC has been investigating the NSCDC for alleged financial mismanagement, making significant progress. He also mentioned a pending allegation against Audi regarding unexplained property acquisition filed with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CBB).

Ojaomo’s request is based on Section 8 of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 (as amended), and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, 2004, which allow the minister to recommend the appointment and removal of the NSCDC Commandant General.

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The petition stated, “We are compelled to make this request as the investigation of the agency cannot be thoroughly and discreetly conducted if the current Commandant General of the NSCDC is allowed to continue in office while the investigation continues because most of the financial activities of the agency which form the subject matter of the investigation are conducted under the current CG’s watch.”

He further emphasized that the suspension would safeguard the investigation process and prevent possible interference. Ojaomo cited allegations linking Audi to a company, Keltes Security and Consultancy Limited, which allegedly received contracts from Tantita Security Limited, a company under the NSCDC’s supervision.

He concluded, “In view of these facts, it will be in the interest of public safety and to protect the integrity of the office to suspend Dr. Abubakar Audi, the current Commandant General of NSCDC, so that the EFCC can conduct a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter.”

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