The impeachment investigation panel, tasked with probing alleged gross misconduct against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has scheduled Friday as the final adjournment for Shaibu to present his defense.

Headed by Justice Stephen A. Omonuwa (Rtd), the seven-man panel made the decision during its resumed sitting on Thursday, despite the absence of the deputy governor and his legal counsel.

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Justice Omonuwa stated that the panel would await Shaibu’s defense before concluding proceedings. However, Shaibu failed to appear or send representation.

In response, Justice Omonuwa called for the appearance of the plaintiff, the Edo State House of Assembly, which initiated the impeachment process. The Assembly was represented by its Legal Officer, N. U. Ibrahim, along with two others.

Following deliberation, the chairman ruled to adjourn the panel’s proceedings for the last time, setting the date for April 5, 2024, at 12 noon. He emphasized the importance of giving the defendant ample opportunity to present his defense.

The decision came after Shaibu’s counsel, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), excused himself and his client from further participation in the proceedings. Awoyale cited an Abuja High Court injunction, alleging that the panel had disregarded the court’s order.

The court injunction requested all involved parties to appear and address the matter regarding Shaibu’s fundamental human rights. However, the panel proceeded with the investigation despite the pending court order.

The adjournment underscores the panel’s commitment to ensuring a fair and thorough investigation, allowing all parties involved the opportunity to present their arguments and evidence.

In a historic turn of events, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a prominent left-winger, has been inaugurated as the youngest president of Senegal.

Emerging victorious in the first round of elections, Faye’s ascent to power comes just 10 days after his release from prison, promising sweeping reforms for the nation.

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Amidst a gathering of dignitaries and African leaders, including several heads of state, the 44-year-old took the oath of office at an exhibition center in the burgeoning city of Diamniadio, near Senegal’s capital, Dakar.

With his hand raised, Faye pledged his unwavering commitment to faithfully execute the duties of the presidency before God and the Senegalese nation.

Faye’s inauguration marks a new chapter in Senegal’s political landscape, as he embarks on a journey to implement radical reforms aimed at addressing the pressing challenges facing the country.

Faye

His swift rise to power and bold vision for change have captured the hopes and aspirations of many Senegalese citizens, signaling a profound shift in the nation’s trajectory under his leadership.

As speculation swirls around the 2027 Presidential elections, many political analysts suggest that Peter Obi, known for his pragmatism and broad appeal, may shake up the political landscape by selecting Nasir El-Rufai as his running mate.

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This is why the unexpected pairing could materialize:

1. Regional Balance: Peter Obi, likely eyeing broader national appeal, may see Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent figure from the northern region, as a strategic choice to balance the ticket regionally. This move could help garner support from both the northern and southern parts of Nigeria.

2. Complementary Skill Sets: Despite differing political ideologies, Obi and El-Rufai possess complementary skill sets. While Obi is known for his economic expertise and track record in governance, El-Rufai brings administrative prowess and experience in implementing reforms, particularly in Kaduna State.

3. Pragmatic Coalition Building: Both Obi and El-Rufai have demonstrated a willingness to work across party lines and form pragmatic alliances. By joining forces, they could appeal to a broader spectrum of voters disillusioned with the polarized nature of Nigerian politics.

4. Policy Focus: With Nigeria facing numerous socio-economic challenges, including infrastructure deficits and unemployment, Obi and El-Rufai may prioritize policy-driven governance. Their combined focus on effective policy implementation could resonate with voters seeking tangible solutions to pressing issues.

5. Electoral Strategy: Understanding the dynamics of Nigerian politics, Obi may calculate that aligning with El-Rufai could help secure crucial electoral victories in key states, particularly in the north, where El-Rufai maintains a strong political base.

6. Unity Message: In a country often divided along ethnic and religious lines, the selection of El-Rufai as a running mate could send a powerful message of unity and inclusivity, transcending traditional fault lines and fostering national cohesion.

While such a decision would undoubtedly be met with skepticism and criticism from some quarters, it could also signal a departure from conventional politics and a step towards a more collaborative and solution-oriented approach to governance.

Only time will tell whether Peter Obi’s potential selection of Nasir El-Rufai as his running mate in 2027 will come to fruition and reshape Nigeria’s political terrain.

Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has interpreted the recent visit of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja as a reflection of evolving dynamics and changing interests in the political landscape.

El-Rufai’s unexpected visit to the SDP’s headquarters stirred speculation and sparked intense political discussions, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Gabam addressed the significance of El-Rufai’s visit during an interview on TVC’s “Politics on Sunday” program.

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Gabam clarified that El-Rufai’s visit was based on their personal relationship and not necessarily indicative of any specific political agenda or alignment with the SDP.

He dismissed speculations raised by former spokesman to Atiku, Mr. Daniel Bwala, emphasizing the visit’s personal nature rather than its broader implications for the party.

The encounter between El-Rufai and the SDP has generated curiosity and discussion among political observers, underscoring the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the potential for unexpected alliances to emerge.

Gabam said: “Sometimes, when you hear some of these debates in public space, you wonder where the brouhaha is coming from. What is the genesis of it? First and foremost, my relationship with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai predates 1999.

”I knew him long before then. We have been close and come to the SDP secretariat, I don’t know why it is so special that people seek to misinterpret or interpret the way it suits them.

“I’m not worried about Bwala’s tweet because he is very, very close to me. At one point, he ran for the seat of the House of Reps under SDP. And when he was the spokesman of Atiku, we always communicated and we always shared some ideas.

”But, in this case, he has not called me to find out the veracity of what he’s trying to put out or otherwise. Therefore, I don’t want to comment on it.

“People need to understand that the dynamics are shifting, a lot of interests are keying again and, of course, that will not stop people from discussing. Some of us are career politicians, we did not jump from whatever it is into politics.

”We understand the difference between relationships and political interests. We value relationships more than political interests, political interests can shift but relationships remain.

“So, what we are trying to do is not to be like an ordinary, greedy politician who believes that if I have an issue with you and I visited you, and then I become his enemy, I wasn’t trained that way. I was trained as a well established politician who is open to a lot of conversations.”

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has expressed disagreement with the state’s Attorney General, Olukayode Ajulo, over the payment of 273 appointees.

Ajulo had defended the appointments, stating that they were intended to enhance the delivery of quality, independent, and ethical legal services in the state, aimed at protecting the rights of its citizens.

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He noted that the appointees, serving as Honorary Advisers and Technical Advisers, would provide valuable insights to advance the vision of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ondo State.

However, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, clarified that the salaries of the 273 appointees would not be covered by the state’s finances. Adeniyan emphasized that Governor Aiyedatiwa did not sanction these appointments.

The conflicting between the governor and the Attorney General highlight internal disagreement within the leadership structure of the state.