Category: General News

Flowerbudnews

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) )’s candidate, Juboye Abraham, has prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the election victory of the Action Peoples Party (APP)’s candidates in the Rivers Local Government (LG) poll held on October Rivers5.

The plaintiff, Abraham, a candidate of the ADP in that election in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1464/2024 filed by his lawyer, Ukpai Ukairo, urged Justice Binta Nyako to make order setting aside the candidacy of the APP in the election.

He also prayed the court to nullify all the votes cast for the state’s local government chairmen on the APP platform for being in breach of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Rivers Local Government Law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the suit dated and filed on Oct. 4, Abraham sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APP and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit.

He also joined the elected LG chairmen including Chijioke Ihunwo, Ezebunwo Ichemati, Chief Brain Gokpa, David Omereji, John Ngubo-Otamiri, Promise Reginald, Mathew Dike, Enyiada Cookey-Gam, Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, Dr Igwe Achese, and Prince Isaac Umejuru as 4th to 14 defendants.

Others are Ms Tonye Oniyide-Briggs, Dr Harry Agiriye, Dr Gift Okere, Vincent Reuben Obi, Chibudom Ezu, Itvyekor Ikporo, Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile, Dr Sule Amachree, Monday Dumye, Israel Abosi, Martins Nwigbo and Engr Ishmael Oforibika as 15th to 26th defendants respectively.

The seven questions sought for determination include “whether by virtue of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the 1st defendant (INEC) has the vires to deregister political parties which are in breach of the provisions of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (a amended)?
“If the answer to question 1 above Is in the affirmative, whether the 1st defendant can de-register the 2nd defendant which is in breach of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)?
“If the answer to question 2 above is in the affirmative, whether the 1st defendant can continue to accord the 2nd defendant (APP) the status and privilege of a political party?
“If the answer to question 3 above Is In the negative, whether the 2nd defendant can function as a political perty in Nigeria?
“If the answer to question 4 above is in the negative, whether the 3rd defendant (RSIEC) can accept the names of the 4th to 26th defendants as the Local Government Council Candidates of the 2nd defendant for the October 5, 2024, Rivers State Local Government Election?
“If the answer to question 5 above is in the negative, whether the 3rd defendant (RSIEC) can place the logo of the 2nd defendant (APP) on the ballot for the October 5, 2024, Rivers State Local Government Election?
“If the answers to questions 5 and 6 are in the negative, whether the court ought to make an order nullifying the standing of the 4th to 26th defendants as candidates in the Local Government election and setting aside any benefit or privilege attendant thereto?”
Abraham, therefore, sought a declaration that it is illegal, unconstitutional and void for INEC to continue to keep APP in the register of political parties in Nigeria when it is manifest that the party is in breach of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution.
He sought an order compelling or directing INEC to exercise its powers under Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution to deregister APP as a political party registered in Nigeria with powers to field candidates in any election, having been in breach of the law.
He also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the RSIEC from placing APP logo on the ballots for Oct. 5 Rivers Local Government Election, having been in breach of Section 226(A) of the 1999 Constitution.
Abraham further sought an order setting aside the candidacy of the 4th to 26th defendants in the said election and nullifying all the votes cast for them for being in breach of Section 226(A) of the 1999 Constitution and Rivers’ LG law.
When the matter came up before Justice Nyako, Kalu Agu, who appeared for the plaintiff, informed that all the defendants had been served and the matter was slated for mention.
Agu, who said the suit was a pre-election matter, sought a short date for the hearing.
When the judge asked him what the subject matter (res) of the case was all about, he said: “the res is about the non-performance of the statutory responsibility of the 1st defendant (INEC)”
According to the lawyer, the election was conducted on the 5th of October, 2024.
Justice Nyako then told him that they were still within time since the suit was filed via originating summons.
Counsel for APP (2nd defendant), Obed Agu, said though they were yet to file any application, they intend to respond to the plaintiff’s suit.
Obed also told the court that INEC lawyer was in court but stepped out before the proceeding commenced.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until Feb. 5 for hearing.
She ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on defendants who were not represented in court.
NAN recalls that the LG election was held in the state despite the police withdrawal of security for the exercise.
The police had said that they acted in compliance with a Federal High Court order but RSIEC Chairperson, Adolfus Enebeli, said the commission was buoyed by the Supreme Court judgment and that of Justice Chigozi Igwe of Rivers High Court.
The PDP, which Siminalayi Fubara was elected governor, boycotted the Oct. 5 election, forcing Fubara’s loyalists to seek an alternative in APP, whose candidates eventually won the chairmanship seats.

By Flowerbud News

Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, on Monday said the N13 trillion deficit in the N48 trillion 2025 budget would be financed through borrowing.

The minister said this while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the total projected revenue for 2025 stands at N34,820,000,000,000 out of which the expenditure is projected at 47,960,000,000,000, which is an increase of 36.8 per cent from the 2024 estimate.

The deficit for 2025 is projected at 13,140,000,000,000, representing 3.89 per cent of GDP.

Edun said the budget was designed within the context of how far and how much progress had been made under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu over the last 18 months.

“And even looking at it from an international context, we, like governments around the world, are concerned about how to achieve fiscal sustainability, revenue to expenditure and borrowing that is balanced, to create an environment in which the economy can grow.

“Private sector led economies such as ours and others, rely on investors to put down their money in various projects, increase productivity, create jobs, grow the economy and in the case of countries such as ours, bring the people out of poverty,” said Edun.

He explained that the Tinubu administration had put in place policies that ensured market pricing of petroleum products, foreign exchange, and efforts had been made to improve the pricing of electricity.

Edun said: “Just recently Shell announced a $5 billion  investment, Total announced a multi-billion dollar investment just before that, and there are so many others expressing interest in investing in this country.

“So, progress has been made. There is greater fiscal sustainability and as I said, even the European countries are struggling to achieve some of these critical macroeconomic reforms.

“This budget is based on government spending in critical areas, but also more importantly, encouraging and making room for private sector investment.” 

He further stated that the improvements in the economy were encouraging.

“For the first time in about 25 years we have domestic refinement of petrol, not just to produce petrol but also raw materials for industries across a whole range, from pharmaceuticals to building products to textiles,” concluded Edun.

NAN

– _Says Nigeria Leading in the Role to Combat Climate Crisis in Africa and Beyond,Urges Other Nations to Follow the Nigeria’s Examples

By Biola Lawal
FLOWERBUDNEWS: The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corp, Rt. Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to global safer environment, says Nigeria is playing leading roles across Africa to combat climate crisis.

Hon. Buba Yakub said that Nigeria was making deliberate efforts and implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand renewable energy initiatives as well as promote reforestation.

(MR. NOAH Patrick Kouback, Director General, International Cooperation and External Trade Government of the Republic of Vanuatu,who also met and collaborated with the NTAC DG during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa recently.)

The NTAC DG, who made disclosure when he spoke at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, said the above actions by Nigeria were part of its Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) in advancing climate resilience in Africa and beyond, and urged other nations to do the same.

This was contained in a statement by Kauthar Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo,
Principal Information and Public Relations Officer, NTAC, a copy of which was made available to FLOWERBUDNEWS by Nkem Anyata-Lafia, Special Assistant to the NTAC, DG (Media and Publicity).

(The NTAC DG during the Climate Change event at the 2024 CHOGM in Samoa)

The NTAC boss, who stood in for Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb.Yusuf Tuggar, at a session on Climate change organized on the sidelines of the CHOGM, emphasized Nigeria’s strong commitment to combating climate change.

Buba said that Nigeria ‘s actions were in line with its obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Commonwealth Blue Charter.

While emphasising the importance of efforts to tackle climate crisis, particularly in support of vulnerable nations, including small Islands and developing States like Samoa, Buba said the gathering was a call to action for nations to re-commit to practices that make for a safer world.

The NTAC DG, also spotlighted the significant work being driven by Nigerian professionals deployed under the Technical Aid Corps(TAC) Scheme to support environmental conservation, renewable energy projects and disaster management in various African, Caribbean and Pacific countries where they are currently serving.

He added that such novel and unique efforts, as using banana peels to make paints and encouraging other eco-green practices in farming, waste treatment and disposal by the Nigerian Volunteers,were not only at the heart of the efforts for a safer environment and sustainable agriculture, but also one of the greatest promotions of the United Nations’ South-South Co-operation ideals.

To further reinforce his point,the former federal lawmaker also stressed the need for nations of the world to unite to address climate change, while suing for increased resource-sharing, including the provision of financial and technical support for countries most affected by climate-related disasters.

Buba also used the occasion to call on leaders across the world to strive to strengthen partnerships between governments and the private sector in order to enhance climate adaptation projects.

He told the high-level meeting of Nigeria’s efforts in involving private entities in clean energy development and sustainable agriculture, again urging them to learn from that.

Buba equally reiterated Nigeria’s successes at combating desertification and informed of the readiness of the country to share its expertise with other Commonwealth nations through effective collaboration and other well-structured knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The high-level meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel Samoa brought together leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations to address the global challenges posed by climate change,while exploring collaborative solutions to the menace.

It also provided the NTAC DG the opportunity to network and renew necessary ties with various officials of governments from across the Pacific region, including Vanuatu, Fiji and other Island nations with a history of subscribing to the Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme over the past years. (FLOWERBUDNEWS)

About Flowerbudnews

Established by Hon.  Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers. We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common  determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.

Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.

Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.

The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.

He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght.  The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.

– Partners Bureau of Public Procurement to Accelerate Pres. Tinubu’s Road Infrastructural Development Agenda, eliminate delays!

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The Minister of Works, Sen. Nweze David Umahi has deepen moves to institutionalise transparency and eliminate bottlenecks in federal road infrastructural contract awards and execution.

The Honourable Minister, who was speaking during a collaborative parley with the Management of the Bureau of Public Procurement, on Abuja, expressed his determination to boost transparency in the contract award process by eliminating bottlenecks.

This was disclosed in  a Multimedia Press statement by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, a copy of which was made available to FLOWERBUDNEWS.

(Senator Umahi with Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke during the later’s visit to the Honourable Minister for more developmental projects for Osun State)

Senator Umahi, himself a Professional Engineer, noted that ”dealing with procurement bottlenecks is a pathway to accelerate road infrastructure development.

Accompanying video details what the Federal Ministry of Works under Senator Umahi is doing differently to drastically reduce unnecessary delays in the procurement processes in contract award and execution and the role of the Bureau of Public Procurement ( BPP) in achieving this feat. (FLOWERBUDNEWS)

About Flowerbudnews

Established by Hon.  Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers. We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common  determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.

Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.

Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.

The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.

He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght.  The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has assured every Nigerian child of protection of their rights and privileges from all forms of molestation and abuse.

Dr Sani Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, disclosed this while speaking at the Center for Quranic studies, Bayero University, Kano on Sunday.

Idris spoke during the second National Symposium on the Tsangaya system of education with the theme “Let us revive our Tsangaya system of education”.

He said that the era of beggars on Nigeria streets and roads is over, hence, the federal government is doing everything possible to give every child a life of hope, assurance and brighter future.

“Children are the future of every nation and as such, deserve to grow up in a happy, safe, healthy, productive and enabling environment that is conducive for learning and development to enable them to be psychologically and emotionally balanced so as to play strategic roles in years to come,” Idris said.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Sagir Abbas, thanked President Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for the upliftment of the lives of Nigerians, particularly children, women and the vulnerable in the society.

Abbas stressed the need for all out of school children to have the basics of life such as clothing, shelter, food and adequate medication.

“Parents and the community must also come together and organise a way of providing for out of school children, rather than leaving them at the mercy of their teachers,” he said.

Abbas said that the children must be stopped from begging on the street, as it is against the tenets of Islam, adding that Tsangaya schools should be sustained by inculcating good morals and giving the children intensive reading culture.

Prof Ahmed Murtala, Director, Centre for Quranic Studies, urged governments at all levels and parents to join hands with northern governments on how best to engage the children in skills acquisitions.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Tsangaya school system was an Islamic-based educational system that existed for several centuries and had produced leaders, scholars, businessmen, and government functionaries, among others.

It has been the source of moral and educational training for Muslim societies in Nigeria. (NAN)

FORMER Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has threatened to sue persons behind an online media, Daily Excessive, over alleged fake report targeted at causing a strained relationship between him and President Bola Tinubu.

The decision to sue the purveyors of the news was made known in a statement signed by Michael Ohiare, the Director, Yahaya Bello Media Office, and a copy made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday evening.

The online platform was alleged to have published a report quoting the former governor to have said, while in court, that he would reveal to the world how President Tinubu became Nigerian president.

Ohiare said the report was not only misleading, “but a confirmation of how unintelligent some unrelenting detractors of the former governor are.”

He said: “Our attention has been drawn to a not only mischievous but absolutely senseless report published by a mushroom blog called Daily Excessive, which attributed fake quotes against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to our principal, the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“Ordinarily, we would not have even bothered to give this any attention, considering the fact that no informed Nigerian would take such a ridiculous story seriously, especially since court records are public documents.

“This clarification is, however, necessary for the record and for the benefit of social media users who circulate fake news without fact-checking the details.

“The report, which is part of the desperate plot by irresponsible politicians to strain the relationship between our President and former Governor Yahaya Bello is the most laughable twist in their failed bid to execute their bring-him-down-at-all-costs mirage.

“Every Nigerian, who has been following court proceedings, since the former governor submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, knows that trial has not commenced in any of the cases.

“Former Governor Bello has only taken his plea at both courts.

“The court is an open place where proceedings are monitored by journalists and other stakeholders.

“This is the reason no informed Nigerian would even consider opening this report by an “Excessive fake news purveyor” called Daily Excessive.”

He described the persons behind the news as “mischief makers.”

“We, however, wish to stress here that even those that the hatchet job executors are trying to confuse know that His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has great respect for the person and office of Mr President and would never make such ridiculous remarks attributed to him against the President.

“Alhaji Yahaya Bello will continue to support the President and his party, the All Progressives Congress, despite the misleading picture his detractors are trying so hard to paint.

“We have alerted security agencies to unveil the identities of those behind the website that was used in circulating this fake report.

”We will ensure that the purveyors of the fake news face the legal consequences of their action,” Ohiare concluded.(NAN)