As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) awaits the Supreme Court verdict on the 2023 presidential election, the tussle for leadership of the has begun amid realignment of power brokers within.

While the pro-Atiku Abubakar group are pushing to seize control of the party, the group loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike is also scheming to take the reins of the party.

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It was learnt that the dilemma before the party is the search for a national chairman who can balance the interests within and enhance the fortunes of the party.

This comes as the prospect of a mini convention after the Supreme Court verdict is being discussed in some quarters.

The convention which is being projected to re-access the party’s fortunes after the 2023 polls might see the change of leadership.

It was further learnt that the recent visit of former president of the senate, Abubakar Saraki, to Wike was linked to the search for a consensus..

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state on Sunday lunched 10,000 voters mobilizers under the Imo Progressives Movement, IPM, to spread the message of his reelection agenda ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.

The inauguration of the IPM, voters mobilisers at ward levels, took place at the Ndubuisi Kanu square in Owerri.

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The governor urged the 10000 voters mobilisers to move in and around the communities and mobilize voters for November victory, and that they should not be afraid of anybody threatening them with insecurity.

According to Uzodimma, “I want to thank you all for this wonderful show of support. The struggle for a new Imo is dependent on this body and its population which we have seen. I have seen the enthusiastic from the youths and i will disappoint them. Our opponents and agents of satan will be disappointed. Our gathering is a day all of us will not forget on earth. We will remember as a day all of rose to support good governance. So, We thank God Almighty. You have shown a great deal of support to my administration. I will not let you down.

“Those who are against us are not campaigning in Imo. They are sponsoring violence, propaganda against us. When you sponsor killings, stop our women and workers from going to work. It means you don’t have a heart of God. We must have a state everything will work. Civil servant will go to work. On the day of election, caste your votes don’t be afraid. I guarantee you security. We must create enabling environment. Those who come to kill will die in the process.”

Earlier, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Eugine Dibiagwu, who is the global convener of the IPM, said: “The Governor of Imo State, The Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma has adorably distinguished himself to the admiration and commendations of the people. Globally, every winning team is usually encouraged, funded, and ultimately reinforced for sustained success in the future. This is the political situation in Imo State in relation to the next governorship contest as scheduled.

“The people of Imo State, especially the progressives are resolutely determined to promote the aspiration of the Governor for a deserved re-election and to fold up their sleeves to contribute and work for the victory of the Governor. This resolution by the Progressives necessitated the formation of the Imo Progressives Movement, which essence and existence through superbly coordinated leadership and membership cut across the length and breadth of Imo State.

“And today, in further demonstration of political capacity, the Imo Progressives Movement holds this historic ceremony to formally inaugurate, further empower and energize the mobilisers and other categories of members and workers and voters for the herculean task of promoting in the grassroots as well as consolidating the sustenance of the message of reelection of the governor. No doubts, a great journey for the emancipation of the people from the short – sighted political activities, events, actions, and decisions which had always wrought negative consequences on the fortunes of the State in every Governorship Election, must be dismantled, and ultimately disabled henceforth. Here we have 10000 voters mobilisers from different categories of IPM, and ward level ready for work.”

The Labour Party gubernatorial aspirant has part of his agenda to deliver democracy dividends to the good people of Edo state, also highlighting how he will create jobs for many unemployed youths in the state.

In a video shared by a Labour Party Chieftain, Morris Monye, Ogbemudia Osagie was spotted giving security tips to local security agents in the state.

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Morris noted that, ” Ogbemudia Bassey Osagie who is also in the race for Governor of Edo state donated some “equipment” to local vigilantes in Edo to fight this scourge of insecurity in the state”.

The security equipment donation, sources noted, was part of his promises to fight the scourge of insecurity in the state.

Recall that Edo state is one of many states in Nigeria battling insecurity with kidnapping and unemployment rates high on the street.

Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) says he is confident that the Court Of Appeal will set aside the judgment of the Election tribunal that nullified his victory.

Daily Gazette recall that Governor Yusuf had filed a 42-ground of appeal before the Court Of Appeal asking the higher Court to set aside the judgement of the Tribunal and also strike out the petition of the APC against his electoral victory as earlier declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had last month sacked Governor Yusuf and declared his challenger, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election in the State.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the Tribunal as the court of first instance, Governor Yusuf hired a renowned legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), to lead his battle to regain his mandate at the Court of Appeal.

According to a copy of the notice of appeal, Olanipekun, SAN, who led the legal team of President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), is now the legal counsel of the Kano State governor.

Also, on the legal team of the governor is Bode Olanipekun (SAN), Ibrahim G. Waru and Akintola Makinde, all with Wole Olanipekun & Co, the legal firm handling the appeal, while Chief E.O.B. Offiong (APC) remains the counsel for the APC.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Nigeria to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in Beijing, China, holding from Oct. 16 to 18.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

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Nkwocha said that Shettima would join world leaders from over 130 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America to deliberate on the theme, “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.”

According to him, the vice president is expected to avail Nigeria of the platform provided by the forum to woo investors for more developmental projects.

Nkwocha added that the Vice President would hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development agenda of the Tinubu administration.

”The 2023 edition of the BRI will mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by the President of China, Xi Jinping, as an initiative for global infrastructure development strategy.

”Adopted and launched by the government of the People’s Republic of China in 2013.

”The initiative seeks international action to enhance cooperation and promote infrastructure investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes.”

He recalled that in 2018, former President, Muhammadu Buhari, on behalf of Nigeria, signed the Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China.

“Nigeria and other partner countries across the world are to benefit from the initiative in areas of infrastructure investments such as ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams and coal-fired power stations.”

Nkwocha said that the delegation of the vice president to the forum includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali.

Others are the Minister of Works, David Umahi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, and the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani.

In a related development, Nkwocha said in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, the vice president will, from China, depart for the United States of America, USA.

”While in the US as the special guest, Shettima will deliver a keynote address at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Food Prize – facilitated Norman E.Borlaug International Dialogue slated to commence on October 24th, 2023.

”Also, he will join other African international leaders, Heads of State and Government who in the past have delivered keynote addresses at the Borlaug Dialogue.

”They include former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan; World Food Prize Laureates; Ghana President, John Kufuor, AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adeshina and former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others.”

The media aide also stated that Shettima was expected to highlight reforms being instituted in the Nigerian Agrifood sector by the Tinubu administration.

”The vice president will engage several stakeholders, partners and investors in opportunities for investments in Nigeria.

”Several meetings and engagements have been slated for the vice president who is expected to be back to the country after his commitments in the US.” (NAN)

The appointment of Imam Ibrahim Kashim Imam as board chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has continued to generate mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media.

FERMA is the agency involved in road construction, improvement and connectivity between states. The mandate of this agency which is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Work, is also to monitor and administer road maintenance with the objective of keeping all federal roads in good condition.

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On Friday, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had appointed the 24-year-old first-class graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Brighton University in that capacity.

The chairman, whose father is Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, is a politician, completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in August 2022.

While some Nigerians are praising President Tinubu for the appointment, others are criticising the president across social media platforms.

According to those who disagreed with the appointment, the newly appointed board chairman lacks the experience and expertise to head a strategic organization.

The few that supported the appointment noted that the young man would learn on the job.

Below are some of such comments:
@Haslawal87 said: “Appointing a fresh graduate with no work experience to such a high position is absolutely ill-advised.”

@fine_stefany1 wrote: “He will learn on the job.”

@kennyNuga: “This appointment is not worth it. A fresh graduate to oversee the entire FERMA board. Absolutely unworthy.”

@Dipo_Bello: “This doesn’t seem right. We want young for young-appropriate roles. This role seems the type that requires a lot of experience. A board member could be more suited to him.”

@aminsaad: “Political expediency should not be a factor in making appointments where experience and even expertise could be called upon.

“Ferma is all about construction. An experienced civil engineer could make a better choice. True, the mech engr could as well marshall channel knowledge into ensuring the heavy equipment of the agency are in top shape

“Those in authority should try to make the country work by prioritizing expertise and experience. These two are essential commodities to any struggling economy like ours.”

@peng_writer opined that, “This is not as good as people make it feel. Not in any way undermining the young man but he’s not ripe for this job. Apart from the fact that he doesn’t have any experience in public work, neither has he displayed any expertise in field work as it relates to Nigeria terrain.”

@JALLO71424757: “This is an absolutely Silly appointment!.”

@adamsaleemm: “Good to see young and vibrant people occupy places of authority. Despite his inexperience, which raises ethical concerns, he could be the catalyst for the transformation we have longed for. May Allah grant him wisdom and strength to fulfill his duties.”

@AtahiruAbdulka1: “NYSC completed in 2022. Congratulations to you o. But if it’s me and another common Nigerian, they will ask us for 5 to 10 years working experience. I know that God will surely judge us all.”

On another platform, someone wrote, “His father is currently the chairman of the board of the TETFund. That’s not even the issue. Yes, it is good to appoint youths into positions of responsibility. Nonetheless, appointing a fresh graduate, with no cognate experience, into such a sensitive position is ill-advised. The truth is that Tinubu doesn’t seem to be getting it right with appointments made so far.”

On his part, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the appointment gives hope to the younger generation.

“I am deeply inspired and encouraged by the appointment of our son Imam Ibrahim Kashim-Imam as the Chairman of FERMA. This gives hope to the younger generation and clearly shows that Nigeria rewards and utilises the talents of those that are highly qualified and that have a good pedigree. I have known Ibrahim since he was born and I can testify to his ability, excellence and brilliance. His distinguished and highly respected grandfather, Alhaji Ibrahim Imam, was a great force in the politics of the First Republic, Secretary of the then ruling NPC, one of the founders and patrons of the Borno Youth Movement and a leading member of the Northern House of Assembly. His equally illustrious father, one of my oldest and dearest friends and brothers, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, is a dogged fighter and first class politician and one of the those that contributed so much to the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the presidential election. He is also one of the most brilliant, forthright, reliable, honest, courageous and credible forces in Nigerian politics today, who served as Special Advisor and Senate Presidential Liason Officer in the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo and who served as Chairman of TETFUND in President Muhamadu Buhari’s administration. I have little doubt that Ibrahim will follow in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps and do exceedingly well.”

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas “to reject the recently reintroduced social media regulation bill which if passed would unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.”

SERAP urged them to “request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to drop any ongoing efforts to put pressure on Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies to unduly restrict these fundamental human rights.”

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SERAP said the bill would “criminalize the legitimate and lawful exercise of human rights.”

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) last week reportedly stated that, “one of Nigeria’s major problems now is social media”, and described the social media as “a monster”.

In the letter dated 14 October 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “the social media is neither Nigeria’s problem nor a monster. Any regulation of it would have arbitrary and excessive effects, and cause incalculable damage, both in material and human rights terms.”

SERAP said, “Any move to regulate social media would be inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

According to SERAP, “The proposed bill raises serious concerns about the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and would lead to digital siege.”

The letter read in part, “Rather than rushing to pass the social media regulation bill, the National Assembly should encourage the Federal Government to maximize opportunities around social media access, and address the growing social and economic inequalities in the country.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken upon the receipt and/or publication of this letter. SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions against the National Assembly and the Federal Government if the social media regulation bill is ever passed into law.”

“We urge you to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to publish the details of any ongoing discussion and engagement with Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies.”

“The reintroduction of the social media regulation bill would lead to deterioration of the human rights situation in the country and carry major economic costs for all sectors, as well as exacerbate social and economic inequalities.”

“It would effectively deepen digital divides in the country and seriously undermine the Tinubu administration’s expressed commitment to develop this sector.”

“Under international law, all restrictions on the operation of social media companies and other intermediaries must comply with the requirements of legality, legitimacy and necessity.”

“The regulation of social media may be incompatible with the services of major social media and private messaging intermediaries, negatively impacting the free flow of information and ideas, and affecting economic and social activities.”

“The National Assembly should put pressure on the Federal Government to comply with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and the country’s international human rights obligations regarding the rights to freedom of expression, privacy and participation.”

“Access to social media is widely recognized as an indispensable enabler of a broad range of human rights. It is central to freedom of expression and the realization of many other human rights including education, freedom of association and assembly, access to information, and participation.”

“The Federal Government has the legal obligations to promote and facilitate the enjoyment of human rights, and to take all steps necessary to ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to social media. The authorities should refrain from unduly interfering with access to digital communications platforms.”

“Under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, any restriction on freedom of expression constitutes a serious curtailment of human rights.”

“The Nigerian Constitution and these human rights treaties protect everyone’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information of all kinds, regardless of frontiers. States have the obligation to respect and ensure the right to freedom of expression, without distinction of any kind.”

“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties protect a broad range of expression, including political discourse, commentary on one’s own and public affairs, canvassing, discussion of human rights, journalism, and artistic expression.”

“This includes information that may be regarded as offensive, false or untrue by some people but is considered legitimate political discourse by others. Restrictions on the right to freedom of expression are only permissible when they meet the requirements of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.”

“The onus to show that restrictions comply with those requirements is on the State seeking to restrict rights. Social media regulation bills generally do not meet those requirements.”

“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called upon States not to engage in or condone any restriction of access to the Internet or other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.”

“According to our information, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Balarabe Ilelah, recently stated that the social media regulation bill has been sent to the National Assembly. The bill is reportedly seeking to repeal and reenact the NBC Act, CAP L11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

“According to the NBC, ‘We have already submitted a bill to amend the NBC act. One of our major problems now is social media. Unless there is a law that allows NBC to act on social media issues, the issue will continue to be a monster in our daily lives in this country.’”

“Similarly, Mrs. Francisca Aiyetan, Director, Broadcast Monitoring of the NBC, recently reportedly said that without regulation, young people could be misguided. According to the NBC, the Federal Government is currently engaging with Google or YouTube, TikTok, ‘so we know the faces behind these [social media] platforms.’”

“If the 2023 social media regulation bill which has reportedly passed the first reading before the National Assembly is the same as the 2019 bill, it would impose disproportionate penalties on Nigerians solely for exercising their human rights.”

“According to our information, the newly reintroduced social media regulation bill seems to be the replica of the version of the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019, with provisions empowering the authorities to unilaterally order the shutdown of the internet.”

“A similar bill to regulate social media was considered by the National Assembly in 2015 but failed to pass into law after public outcry.”

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on the people to ignore those threatening violence as they would be neutralised before the election.

The governor made this known on Saturday while campaigning in Kabba, Kogi-West Senatorial district.

“I want to tell you to ignore those who are threatening violence because they will be neutralised way before the election, they will be disappointed, I want to call on the security agencies to rise to the occasion, you have done it before, you can do it again, my people are not ready to give them a chance”, he said.

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In his remarks, the Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, said he was committed to consolidating on the progress and development achieved by Bello.

He noted, “I’m prepared to serve and to open a new page of development in the state. Governor Yahaya Bello has laid a solid foundation for the state and I’m poised to ensure sustainability and consolidation.”

Bello called on the people of Kogi-West to join hands in forming a government that would meet their yearnings and aspirations.

He said, “The achievements of my administration are visible for all to see. This is not the time for us to be complacent. We cannot afford to be in the opposition, not with the many plans President Bola Tinubu’s administration has for Kogi State.

“In the last couple of years, we have built and rebuilt our infrastructure. We have made Kogi money and resources to work for the people. We cannot afford to be dragged back.

“I appeal to the people of Kogi-West to vote for the APC to enable consolidation, and unity amongst our people and to ensure that the coming generation of the people of Kogi-West can be proud of what has been achieved,” the Governor stated.

Highlights of the rally were the receiving of decampees from the PDP and other opposition political parties and the presentation of the flag to the APC governorship candidate.

The campaign team earlier visited the Obaro of Kabba, HRM, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, who assured of the continuous support of traditional rulers for the State Government.