The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu on Friday upheld the decision of the Enugu National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which struck out the petition filed by the House of Reps candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Enugu North/South federal Constituency, Mrs. Juliet Egbo, challenging the victory of the Labour Party candidate, Hon. Chima Atu.

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Atu who was declared winner of the election by the INEC returning officer, Dr. Mrs. Evelyn Ijeoma Ezepue, secured a total of 65,247 votes to defeat his closest rival, Hon. Nonso Nnamani of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)who polled 9,215 votes.

Not satisfied with the decision of the tribunal,
Mrs. Juliet Egbo asked the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment of the lower court and declare her winner of the election.

Delivering her judgment on Friday, the Appeal Court struck out Juliet Egbo’s petition for lacking in merit and upheld the decision of the tribunal.

The Court ruled that the Tribunal did not err in her decision because Mrs. Egbo’s petition was lacking in evidence.

Daily Gazette recall that Mrs. Juliet Egbo of the APC came distant fourth in the election with 2,394 votes, while Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo of the Peoples Democratic party came third with 7,617 votes.

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In his verified Twitter handle, Hon. Chima Atu of the Labour Party while announcing the decision of the Appeal Court, described the judgment as a victory for Democracy and Rule Of Law.

Atu thanked Ndi Enugu North/South federal constituency for their continued support and solidarity, assuring them of a robust representation anchored on the will of the people.

“Fellow Obidients and my respected constituents, few minutes ago, the Court of Appeal brought to a conclusive end the legal battle initiated by the APC candidate against the victory you freely gave us in the February elections. This is victory for democracy and the rule of law.”

“This judgment has brought to an end the long legal battle against our collective victory. I shall remain faithful to the ideals of the Obidient Movement and the yearnings of my constituents. We shall work like never before to deliver on all that we promised. Very grateful to God”

Mrs. Juliet Egbo and Hon. Chimaobi Atu

Daniel Bwala, the spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation for the 2023 presidential election, has warned the newly sworn-in Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against his threat to demolish houses in the capital city.

Wike had on Monday during a press briefing held shortly after he was sworn in as minister alongside 44 others in Abuja following their appointments by President Bola Tinubu, threatened to demolish houses built at wrong locations in Abuja, even if the owners of such structures are ministers or ambassadors.

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Wike said that houses built at illegal locations in Abuja to distort the city’s master plan will be demolished irrespective of the positions of their owners.

Reacting to the threat by the PDP chieftain and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Bwala on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, reminded Wike that Abuja is not Rivers State and that if he creates chaos in the capital city and jeopardises Tinubu’s interests with his “bullish and vendetta spirit,” the President will be forced to sack him.

According to Bwala, what residents of the FCT need are affordable healthcare facilities, access to good education facilities, clean sports and recreational centers, affordable transport services system, efficient and workable street lights in the city centre and the suburbs and security, not demolitions.

He said, “Hello sir, in case you need refresher course; the basic needs of the residents of the FCT are; affordable healthcare facilities, access to good education facilities, clean sports and recreational centers, affordable transport services system, efficient and workable street light in the city Centre and the suburbs; and finally, security.

“You came with a bullish and vendetta spirit venting fire and brimstone about demolition and revocation of titles.

“Abuja is not Port Harcourt. If you create chaos in the city, you will jeopardize your principal’s interests and he will be forced to sacrifice your job. You will learn humility on the job.”

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, on Monday, seemingly responded to a report that he was in talks with Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso for a possible merger to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring supporters of his commitment to the party.

Speaking at a mega rally in Edo State ahead of the local government elections in the state, Obi told hundreds of party supporters that some of the things they are hearing everywhere were rumours.

“Labour Party will continue to grow. We will continue to go stronger (and) better. Half of the things you are hearing everywhere are rumours, don’t listen to them. We are committed to building a better and a new Nigeria where we will move Nigeria from consumption to production,” Obi said to loud cheers from the crowd.

The report comes less than six months after the February 25 presidential election in which Obi emerged third behind the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu of the APC and second-placed Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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The results, according to the final declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), put Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in fourth place.

Both Atiku and Obi are challenging the results declared by INEC in court, with the tribunal reserving judgement in the suits after the parties concerned concluded their arguments and submitted their final written addresses.

A report emerged on Monday that the trio of Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso were meeting to discuss the possibility of a coalition to dislodge the APC in the 2027 election in the event that judgement is delivered in favour of the ruling party.

The report claimed that the three leaders had decided to wait and watch the outcome of the election petitions in court, which would determine their next move.

However, the former Anambra State governor charged the contestants under the Labour Party in the Edo local government elections to ensure they fulfil their promises during their campaigns if they succeed.

“Those of you who are contesting, go and tell the people what you will do and whatever you say, if you succeed, do it. No more promise-and-fail. The time for fake promises has passed in this country; we don’t want anybody to promise us fake things now. Anything you promise you must deliver,” he said

Some Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the suggestion made by the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, that they should start their Monday morning with a song by popular American artist Whitney Houston.

In a post via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, El-rufai suggested that Nigerians should kick off their Monday by listening to Whitney Houston’s summer Olympic song titled “One Moment at a Time.”

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He wrote, “MONDAY MELODY: Video – Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time was the official opening track of the Los Angeles Olympics. It remains a classic and one of my favorites. Enjoy it this Monday morning and the inspiring lyrics. – @elrufai.”

The former Governor then proceeded to post the entire lyrics of the classical music.

The post has, however, continued to generate different reactions from social media users who took to the comment section to drop their views about the post.

A Twitter user, @gani_jonathan tweeted, “From ministerial nominee to music analyst 🤣😅😂 you fell off too hard.”

Another user @Drelmoatiku wrote, “Now that Tinubu has woken up the spirit of music and the hidden gift in you, I suggest you form a collabo with @Omah_Lay to remix “so so take my pains away.” Shibiri shibiri shibiri, they are talking shit shibiri. The song will be a major hit, Sir. Don’t waste the talent, please.”

@egwunte wrote, “Elrufai has gone on another level. Music is the food of the soul. It’s a balm for the broken-hearted. @ShehuSani your good brother needs cuddling to come out of this stronger and better. My thoughts and prayers are with you my beloved elder brother @elrufai.”

@saintvawulence tweeted, “If they tell me you will ever turn to an upcoming musician I would never believe. Twitter lyricist.”

@Johndauda19 wrote, “It’s seems we are expecting a new song from you soon

@ShehuSani; I believe he can write good lyrics for the song for you.”

In contrary, @ SadiqIA1 said that El-rufai deserves the break from the government after meticulously serving the people of Kaduna State for 8 years.

He wrote, “5 months ago you were a governor and now you are peacefully enjoying life remembering the good days. This shows that you have kept a clean and clean record during your 8 years. All governors should learn from you.”

Also, @JamieOlat enjoined El-rufai to work with the present administration towards ensuring development in the nation.

He tweeted, “Thanks for the classical music you share. I thoroughly enjoyed Bob Marley’s Who The Cap Fit song. Sir, as emphasized by the President in the past, you should please consider working for him.”

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe has criticised the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu’s son, Lloyd, for having an elaborate wedding event in the absence of his parents, who are currently in prison in the United Kingdom.

Lloyd got married to Tiffany Adaobi Obinna-Uzor at the Basilica of Grace, Anglican Communion, Gudu District, Abuja, on Saturday.

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In his reaction to Lloyd’s wedding, Igbokwe wrote on his Facebook page, saying it was an elaborate event, adding that the former Senator’s son was insensitive to the plight of his parents that are in jail.

The APC chieftain said Lloyd should have organised a very low-budget wedding and celebrated an elaborate one when his parents return from prison.

Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, are serving in a UK prison after they were convicted of organ trafficking by a London court in May, in their an attempt to help their ailing daughter, Sonia.

They were sentenced alongside a middleman, Dr Obinna Obeta, who wanted to carry out the organ harvest operation on David Ukpo Nwamini, the boy trafficked from Lagos to London.

Ekweremadu was served nine years and eight months, while his wife was handed four years and six months. The doctor was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Recalling their ordeal in relation to their son’s wedding ceremony, Igbokwe said: “If I were to be Ekweremmadu’s son I would not have staged this elaborate wedding ceremony with my father and mother in prison.

“I would have done a low-key marriage ceremony and waited till my parents are free. This generation scares me stiff,” he added.

Minister of Information and National orientation, Muhammed Idris, has said the ministry will not need to tell lies to defend the government rather “we will always say it as it is.”

Speaking when he assumed office after his inauguration, he said the ministry and the government will be transparent and truthful while giving out information.

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He said the government would own up where it errs or make any mistake and try to adjust where necessary.

Idris said National orientation would be a core aspect of the government, hence “in a matter of days we would roll out our plans to Nigerians.”

He called on Nigerians to shun fake news and always clarify issues before taking it out to the public, hence noted that the ministry would be accountable and open to nigerians.

On her part, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative economy, Mrs Hannatu Musawa said the ministry would export Nigeria to the world and would also make money for Nigeria.

She said the ministry would also do all it has to do to change the negative narrative which the country has across the world.

Musawa noted that it was also important to restore the unity of the country which was the wish of the founding fathers of Nigeria.