The Senate will today, Wednesday, conduct the screening of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

On Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the receipt of a letter from President Bola Tinubu, seeking the Senate’s approval for Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation as the next CJN.

The letter was read during Tuesday’s plenary session.

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Justice Kekere-Ekun has been serving in an acting capacity since August, following the retirement of former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. President Tinubu had previously appointed her on an interim basis.

In his letter, Tinubu referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint the CJN on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subject to Senate confirmation.

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“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval,” President Tinubu wrote.

The nomination was referred to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation today.

If confirmed, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the 23rd substantive CJN and the second female to hold the office in the history of Nigeria’s judiciary.

The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed deep disappointment over the outcome of the local government elections held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, citing widespread irregularities, logistical failures, and incompetence in the conduct of the polls.

State chairman of the party, Ekene Uzodinma, in a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE after a stakeholders’ meeting, slammed ENSIEC for failing to provide a free and fair election, accusing the electoral body of favoring the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

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He alleged that the low voter turnout, late arrival or non-arrival of sensitive materials, missing ballot papers, as well as the non-availability of original result sheets in almost all polling units across the state were deliberate attempts to disenfranchise voters and manipulate the process.

“It is disheartening to see that, once again, the process was skewed in favor of the ruling party, the PDP. This manipulation undermines the democratic ideals that we, as a people, believe in and are fighting so hard to achieve. It is a betrayal of the trust that the electorate placed in the system,” Uzodinma stated.

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The APGA chairman, who also co-founded The New Enugu Project Initiative (TNEP) and authored the book Challenging the Status Quo, voiced concerns about the impact of the flawed election on the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, warning that it could lead to significant political fallout ahead of the 2027 general election.

Uzodinma emphasized that APGA won elections in several local government areas where its candidates were sidelined by the alleged manipulation.

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He listed the following chairmanship and councillorship candidates as winners in their respective local governments and wards:

Chairmanship candidates:

1. Engr Okechukwu Umegbo for Awgu LGA
2. Chief Chukwuemeka Ochi for Udi LGA
3. Mr Ude Kingsley for Aninri LGA
4. Princess Nneka Philips for Enugu South LGA

Councillorship candidates:

1. Hon Eche Kingsley Udochukwu, Asata Ward 1
2. Hon Okonkwo Chiedozie Emmanuel, Ogaku Ward
3. Hon Okoh Chizoba, Awgu Ward 2
4. Hon Anukwu Kingsley Ikenna, Awgu Ward 9
5. Hon Nwaobodo Christian Ekene, Obeagu Ward
6. Hon Ukwu Samson Ebube
7. Hon Okeke Fidelis Ekene, Trans-Ekulu Ward
8. Hon Agu Kingsley Chukwuebuka, Abakpa Ward 1

Uzodinma further stated that APGA would challenge the results in court.

“Our democracy is only as strong as the integrity of our elections, and we must not allow the subversion of the people’s mandate to go unchallenged,” Uzodinma declared.

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5.

During a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, State PDP chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka cited an ongoing legal dispute initiated by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Tony Okocha as a primary reason for the boycott.

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Chukwuemeka, who is reportedly aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emphasized the impact of the legal situation on the party’s participation.

Recently, the PDP successfully conducted its congresses in the state following a favorable ruling in a case brought by David Omereji, the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, and others.

This group is known to support the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

President Bola Tinubu has declined to approve a bill that sought to extend the retirement age of civil servants working in the National Assembly by an additional five years.

This development was revealed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Although President Tinubu commended the National Assembly for its efforts in drafting the bill, he did not provide specific reasons for withholding his assent.

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The bill, originally passed by the House of Representatives and later concurred by the Senate, proposed raising the retirement age for National Assembly staff to 65 years or 40 years of service, whichever came first.

Currently, the law mandates retirement at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service.

The President’s decision follows a prior debate in the Senate, during which the bill was initially rejected before the chamber eventually reversed its stance to align with the House’s position.

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In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu explained that his decision was based on thorough examination and consultation, emphasizing that the choice was made within his constitutional powers.

He expressed hope that the National Assembly would accept and understand his decision.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the diligent work of the Senate in drafting and passing the bill. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to withhold my assent, in line with the authority granted to me by the Constitution,” the letter stated.

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Ahead of the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State, several caretaker chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have switched their allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action People’s Party (APP).

This move follows ongoing tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

It has been widely speculated that Fubara himself might leave the PDP after Wike allegedly seized control of the party’s structure in the state.

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Despite these rumors, Fubara has publicly denied any plans to defect from the PDP.

In a recent meeting with the PDP Board of Trustees, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, he reaffirmed his commitment to the party.

However, the defections of key figures close to him suggest deeper unrest within the state’s political landscape.

Several caretaker committee chairmen, including the Port Harcourt City Council’s CTC Chairman, Ezebunwo Ichemati, have openly joined the APP.

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Ichemati, who is now campaigning for a permanent chairmanship under the APP, has displayed billboards and posters across the city, signaling a major shift in local political dynamics.

Promising to lead with integrity, Ichemati emphasized that his campaign would remain positive and focus on the interests of both the party and the state.

In Khana Local Government Area, another prominent defection occurred when Marvin Yobana, the CTC Chairman, moved to the APP after failing to secure Governor Fubara’s support to run for a formal position in the LG election.

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Yobana introduced Martins Ibibo as the APP’s candidate for Khana LGA and expressed confidence in Ibibo’s victory.

The shift to APP is widespread, with many chairmanship and councillorship candidates now contesting under the APP banner.

APP campaign materials are becoming more visible across the state, reflecting growing momentum behind the party.

Sunny Wokekoro, Chairman of the Rivers State APP, announced plans to launch their senatorial campaigns starting with the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in Bori, Khana LGA.

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He stated that the APP is set to change the political narrative in the state, highlighting their candidates’ successful screening by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Wokekoro described the APP as the “party to beat” and expressed optimism that it would usher in a new era of governance in Rivers State, positioning the party as a strong alternative in the upcoming elections.

The African Union (AU) has appointed Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, as Co-chairman of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU-ASRIC).

In this significant role, Pantami is expected to be instrumental in developing the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy and Strategy for Africa, which will have implications for all 54 countries on the continent.

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Pantami has been a prominent advocate for advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa.

His tenure as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) saw the establishment of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR).

He also played a key role in formulating Nigeria’s inaugural Digital Economy Policy, focusing on the integration of Digital Society and Emerging Technologies.

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Notably, Pantami is the first African to be honored as a Fellow by the Chartered Institute of Information Security in the United Kingdom, underscoring his contributions to the field.

Alongside Pantami, Professor Anicia Nicola Peter from Namibia has been appointed as co-chair.

Professor Peter is a distinguished researcher specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, Social Media, Gamification, and other emerging technologies.

She previously led Namibia’s 4IR Presidential Task Force and serves as an adjunct Research Professor at the University of Namibia.

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The AU-ASRIC comprises a diverse group of experts, including Professor Khaleed Ghedira from Tunisia and Professor Maha Grima from Morocco, among other esteemed academics and policymakers.

Together, they aim to propel the continent’s adoption of advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity.

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate dismissal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over his handling of the case involving former Governor Yahaya Bello, accusing him of unprofessional conduct.

During a plenary session held on Monday in Lokoja, the assembly passed a resolution condemning what they referred to as an unprovoked attack by EFCC operatives on the Kogi State Government Lodge.

The lawmakers argued that this act was not only an assault on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo but also on the people of Kogi State.

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The motion, raised by Hon. Akus Lawal of Ankpa 1 State Constituency and seconded by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi of Ijumu State Constituency, led to a heated discussion, during which the assembly labeled the EFCC’s actions on April 17 and September 18 as assassination attempts on Yahaya Bello and threats to the life of the current governor.

Speaker of the Assembly, while presenting the resolution, noted that the attack, including the firing of live rounds in a diplomatic zone, showed that the EFCC had overstepped its authority.

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He further criticized the commission for deviating from its anti-corruption mandate under Olukoyede’s leadership.

The assembly urged President Bola Tinubu to relieve Olukoyede of his duties and appoint a more competent individual to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and enforced properly.