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The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, earlier today, dismissed the suit filed in Baruwa vs APC and two others, contesting the eligibility of the Ogun State Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to contest the last governorship elections.

The Appeal Court Panel consisting of Justices Yahaya, Akomolade Wilson and Idris Kutigi, in the Appeal number CA/A/269/2019, in dismissing the action decided that the action arose upon submission of Form CF 001 submitted in Ogun State submitted on October 25, 2018 and published in Ogun State on October 9, 2018, therefore the legal action commenced on December 13, 2018 was “statute barred”. The Appeal Court pronounced that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to try the matter and the suit was consequently struck out.

The Court also found that the event complained about occurred in Ogun State, and that the mere fact that the affidavit was deposed to in FCT, Abuja, was not sufficient to confer jurisdiction on the trial court.

In all, the preliminary objection and cross-appeal by APC and Prince Dapo Abiodun, were upheld by the Appeal Court.

E-signed
TUNDE OLADUNJOYE
Publicity Secretary
OGUN APC caretaker Committee

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adeseye Ogunlewe, said on Friday that he was set to dump the opposition party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

APC logoMr Ogunlewe, a former senator and Minister of Works, confirmed the development in an interview with a political correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He was reacting to the recent defection of his son, Moyosore, from the PDP to the APC.
Moyosore contested for a place in the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP but lost and soon after, announced his resignation from the PDP.
He has been attending APC meetings in his area with other APC chieftains, including Bayo Osinowo, a member of the state assembly and senator-elect for the Lagos East Senatorial District.
Mr Ogunlewe told NAN that his lawyer son had indeed defected to the APC and that he would be joining him within the next 30 days.
He said his decision to dump the PDP was because the party was rudderless and that it had been perpetually enmeshed in crisis.
Mr Ogunlewe said he saw no future in the PDP and that nobody should expect a politician of his stature to stay in a house where some leaders were only after their selfish interests.
The former minister said that issues arising from the governorship elections exposed the fact that some people were only after money and not the progress of the PDP in Lagos State.
”Yes, I am set to leave. My son is already there and he is expecting me to join him. I am leaving in the next 30 days.
”You see, for now, there is no chairman in PDP. We don’t have leaders and you don’t expect me to stay in a party that is not stable and with people that lack focus.
”Look at what happened in the last elections. The supposed chairman of the PDP in the state asked members to vote for the opposition for whatever reason.
“Is that a party? Should I remain with people like these?
”What these people care about is only their selfish interests and not the interest of the party. I am giving the party 30 days’ notice, after which I will leave.
”I am tired of a party running into one problem or the other and I tell you, these people can never change.”
The former minister said that he was also joining APC because he was convinced that the party would zone the presidency to the South West in 2023, apart from being a better-organised party.
Mr Ogunlewe said he would not want to be left out of any arrangement to give the region the presidency in 2023.
He said he would be leaving the PDP with his teeming supporters, promising to add value to the APC. (NAN)

National Chairman of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Bishop Amakiri, has accused the current cabinet ministers to President Muhammadu Buhari of underperformance after much was expected from them.

Amakiri who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday scored the ministers below 50 per cent.

He urged President Buhari, who has less than 24 days to his May 29 swear-in ceremony, to appoint a new set of people not peculiar to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Governance is a continual thing and the president by now should know that there is need to have another set of people and I believe when you talk about governance, it must not be peculiar to party men or members.

“You have to bring on-board people of competence, who believe in nation building, who actually are ready to jettison personal interest and bring forth public interest.

“I will say that the last cabinet would not be scored up to 30%. We expected much from virtually all of them and so far, they have underperformed to my own opinion,” he said.

He further disagreed to the claim that young people are not ready for leadership but claimed that the opportunity had not presented itself.

“One of the problems I think we have is the fact that we do not have leaders that think about the next generation.

“I disagree to the claim that young people are not ready for leadership. I fall in that age of young people and so many of them are out there that are innovative and industrious, and are really making Nigeria proud.

“The problem we have today is the fact that the opportunity has not been given to many of us.”

Meanwhile, Kayode Ajulo, who described himself as a ‘Sympathiser’ to the APC, urged President Buhari to work towards policy formulation that will help the country develop.

“There is always the time for politics and there is time for policy. I believe this is the time that the president should now be thinking of policy in the way he understands it.

“The time of politics is over, now it’s to look for how to move the country forward, how to get the best of Nigeria to ensure that we sail the ship of the country to a place where it won’t be shaky.”

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students’ Zone C under Comr. Sulieman Mohammed Sarki, The Coordinator NANS Zone C Through: Comr. Adebayo Kayode J. The Public Relations Officer NANS Zone C in a reports made available to VAM News welcomes the Blessed month of Ramadan, the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to guide mankind; a month for extra prayers, reflection, generosity and taubah. 
I extend  to the teeming populace of Nigerian students my warmest greetings and good wishes at this important time.

NANS logoIt is imperative we master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that is alive around us, and reconcile ourselves with our environment.
Hence, I seek for your indulgence to use this season of rectitude to call on Allah to look down and heal our epileptic education in Nigeria, we can not afford to continue like this as a country. All our facets of life as country needs Allah’s visitation for a total turnaround for the betterment of all and sundry. 
I would once again like to wish Nigerian students a rewarding and successful Ramadan. I pray that Allah (SWT) grants us health and imaan to seek His reward through good deeds. I also pray that Allah (SWT) grants ease for all our brothers and sisters around the world who are facing difficulties and suffering hardship. Amen 
Ramadan Kareem and best wishes

In observance of 2019 Ramadan fast, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Muslim faithful to use the Holy Month to pray for the peace, security and development of the country.

APC logoMalam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary gave the charge in a statement on Monday in Abuja while wishing Muslims “Ramadan Kareem”.
The APC spokesman noted that Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement, sacrifice and increased devotion and worship.

“We implore the Muslim Ummah to follow and apply the teachings of Islam in our relationship with our neighbours, Muslims and non-Muslims.
“We should remember and cater for the less-privileged in our midst, stay humble and abstain from all bad deeds.
“It is our inalienable right as humans to safely go about our daily activities and to live in peaceful coexistence with our neighbours.
“In our places of worship, educational institutions, socio-political gatherings, markets, social media and all other public spaces, we must resist divisive agents and their equally divisive messages and actions,” Issa-Onilu said.
He stressed that Muslims must report to security agencies agents of destruction who disguise as ethnic or religious champions to achieve their diabolic, selfish and heinous agenda by exploiting the peoples’ perceived differences.
He noted that cases of kidnappings, banditry, ethno-religious and resource-fuelled crises and other violent crimes recorded in parts of the country are undoubtedly serious sources of concern.

According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is adopting multifaceted approach to permanently tackle conflicts and crimes in party of the country.
He added that the president had already given marching orders to relevant security services to deal with the security threats and restore normalcy in affected areas.
“In different fronts of our national life, the Buhari-led APC administration has laid a solid foundation for national development, peace and progress.
“The result is apparent in our strengthened economy, improved electioneering, refocused value system, waning corruption, social investments, massive infrastructure drive, better standing and influence in the comity of nations,” he said.
This, the APC spokesman added is in line with the promises contained in the party’s change agenda for Nigerians.
He stressed that the party is set to consolidate on work done so far and do more as it gears up for the Next Level of its renewed mandate.
Issa-Onilu further urged Muslim Ummah and indeed Nigerians of other faiths to continue to pray for the country.
He also urged all faithful to continue to pray for wisdom, good health and safety of the country’s leaders in a collective bid to take the country to its deserved heights. NAN

Two suspected armed robbers, Abubakri Ibrahim, 20, and Akinwale Akeem, 22, were on Monday remanded in Ilesa Prison custody over alleged armed robbery.

The Magistrate, Mrs Aishat Oloyade, had ordered that the accused persons be remanded behind bars due to the magnitude of the alleged offence they committed.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Temitope Fatoba, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 19 at about 10:00 p.m. at Isale Osun area, Osogbo.

Fatoba alleged that the defendants with others now at large conspired among themselves to rob one Rasheed Yusuf Babatunde of his iPhone valued at (N50,000) and the total sum of N25,000.
He said the duo were also armed with dangerous weapons such as knives, guns, and charms among others.
The prosecutor said the offence committed contravened Sections 1(1) (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 14 Vol. 11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused persons had no legal representation when their case was called by the court clerk and they both pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The Magistrate, however, ordered that the case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) while the defendants be remanded in prison custody till t June 27 for mention.

President Muhammadu Buhari has awarded a pass mark to the Acting Inspector General of Police Muhammad Adamu, saying the fact that the IG has been losing weight is evidence that he is working hard at securing the nation.

Buhari allegedly spoke on Sunday on arrival from his 10-day private visit to the United Kingdom.
In a video tweeted by a journalist at the VOA, Saleh Shehu Ashaka, via his verified Twitter handle @AshakaSaleh, a reporter had asked the President: “Are we likely to see a different approach in the fight against insecurity, especially kidnapping, which is a big issue now Sir?”
The President responded: “You know, I have just seen the IG, he is… I think he is losing weight; so, I think he is working hard.

Liverpool will be without top scorer Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino as they attempt to overturn a 3-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Salah is down Salah was stretchered off with a head knock during Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Newcastle on Saturday, while Firmino missed that game due to a groin injury.
“Both are not available for tomorrow,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Monday.

The entrance gate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State, was on Monday barricaded by protesting workers, causing heavy traffic for both human and vehicular movements.
The workers, under the umbrella bodies of the university’s chapters of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and a faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), were protesting unpaid allowances.
A short video clip  showed a building traffic along the campus main gates with crowd gathering in their hundreds to discuss the development.

According to a reliable source, who is a leader of one of the unions, the workers resolved to hold public protest when efforts to seek the understanding of the university management failed.
The source, who asked for anonymity for fear of being punished by the management, said both field trip and responsibility allowances have been withdrawn from payment schedules of the institution’s workers since the beginning of the year.
“Since Professor Sulaiman Age Abdulkareem became the vice-chancellor of UNILORIN, every benefits of the workers have been reduced. The field trip and responsibility allowances that workers used to benefit under the former vice-chancellors have been removed.
“In fact, ordinary bags of rice that workers receive have been reduced to two persons sharing one bag. Now the question is, what does the university do with its internally generated revenues? How were the past administrations doing it? That was the basis of the protest.”
But the Chairman of the university’s branch of SSANU, M.J Akambi, declined to give details of their action. He, however, confirmed the development, saying the workers had gathered to hold their meeting at the main gate of the university early this morning over some burning issues.
He said; “We only barricaded part of the entrance gates but left a part opened which made movement difficult a bit for people.
“I may not be able to give the details of the rationale behind our action for now because the struggle is still ongoing but at the appropriate time, we will talk.”
Speaking for the university management, the Public Relations Officer, Kunle Akogun, said the locked gate has been reopened and that normalcy had returned.
“I can confirm to you that the protesting workers and the members of the management are currently holding a meeting to address the issues. So there is no problem again,” Mr Akogun said.

Zenith Bank, the largest bank in Nigeria by tier-1 capital and a foremost provider of financial services to multinationals, corporates and SMES in the country, has affirmed its commitment to accord its growing retail business the same attention and focus that has enabled it become the leading corporate bank player in the country.
This is in line with the Bank’s strategic focus of extending its exceptional service offerings to everyone hence encouraging the drive for financial inclusion.
Customers can now open a Zenith Bank account with a Zero Balance (N0.00) as opposed to its initial range of N50, 000 – N250, 000.
This move highlights the bank’s ability to adapt to the changing needs of the financial environment.
The Bank has also upgraded its retail banking offering with innovations such as *966# USSD EazyBanking, Social banking on Facebook and other offerings that will ensure memorable user experiences for its customers.
As such, anyone interested in opening a Zenith Bank account can do so by dialing *966*0# and following the prompts or visiting http://www.zenithbank.com or walking into any zenith bank branch nationwide.
SOURCE: Zenith Bank’s Corporate Communications unit.