PDP Hails Supreme Court Judgement Affirming Governor Diri’s Election
August 23, 2024
Press Statement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri over the judgement of the Supreme Court, which today affirmed his victory in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the State.
The verdict of the Supreme Court is another victory for Democracy, Rule of Law and the expressed Will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP.
Governor Diri’s re-election by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bayelsa State is a resounding testament in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding achievements in the delivery of life-changing citizen empowerment programmes and projects in the State.
The PDP however raises serious concerns on the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi States despite confirmed reports and evidence that the elections were heavily flawed and blatantly compromised, marred by widespread violence and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with certain unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The general melancholic disposition in Imo and Kogi States at the news of the judgment validates the concerns and views of our Party and majority of Nigerians that the results of the elections declared in the two States did not reflect the true aspiration of the people as expressed in their votes.
The upholding of the governorship election in Imo and Kogi States further underscores a very serious challenge created by the blemished operation and violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines by INEC.
The judgement also underlines the clamour and demand by our Party and Nigerians for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Law particularly with respect to the declaration of results of election without due regard to issues and complaints arising from obvious violation of the provisions of the law and electoral processes.
This again highlights the need to strengthen the electoral law and processes to ensure that elections are determined by votes cast and not by violence and manipulations as were prevalent in the Imo and Kogi State governorship elections.
Such situation places a lot of pressure on the judiciary which would have been avoided if the Electoral Commission ensured strict adherence to the Electoral Act and Guidelines in the conduct of elections in our country.
Our Party restates its position that no candidate should be declared a winner of any election until all legal processes are concluded. This is to prevent the inclination to resort to self-help through the use of violence and manipulation to secure unearned victory as witnessed in the Imo and Kogi States governorship elections.
The PDP as a law-abiding Party, respects the decision of the Supreme Court despite our Party’s deep reservations and urges Nigerians to remain calm but determined in the collective quest to ensure the entrenchment of credible elections in our country.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM
2024/4TH MEETING HELD @ GOVERNMENT HOUSE, JALINGO, TARABA STATE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
COMMUNIQUE
The PDP Governors’ Forum today, Friday, August 23,2024, held its regular monthly meeting in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital and issued the following communique’;
- The Meeting deliberated on crucial intra-party and governance matters affecting our states as well as those of overriding national interest and importance.
- The Governors noted with a sigh of relief the end of the #EndBadGovernance protests which was edging to a major national crisis. We salute the dexterity of the Governors especially of the PDP extraction in handling the situation in their respective States with maturity, thereby restraining hoodlums and other unscrupulous elements from hijacking the protests.
- The Forum reiterates that peaceful protests are the inalienable rights of the citizens through which they vent their genuine grievances. The Forum commiserates with the families of those innocent souls that were lost and calls on the Federal Government to ensure fair and speedy trial of those who were arrested.
- The Forum laments that rather than undertake a review of macro-economic and social policies with a view to giving them a human face, the Federal Government has resorted to blackmail. We call on Mr. President to show statesmanship by restraining his officials from blame games, that make the sub-nationals look bad by mentioning piecemeal interventions that cannot solve the problem. We remain unshaken in our firm resolve to stand with the suffering Nigerian masses and to take all legitimate steps to ameliorate their plight.
- The Forum notes the political impasse in Rivers State where court judgements are employed to determine the outcome of the party congresses. The PDP Governors’ Forum restates its stand with the Governor of Rivers State and will engage the NWC of our great party to revisit the congress with a view to correcting the anomaly and allowing His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take his rightful leadership position of the party in the state,
- With regard to the forth coming governorship election in Edo State, we condemn the pronouncements by the President to compromise the election in favour of his Party as well as the systematic intimidation of PDP supporters by the Nigeria Police and call on the Inspector General of Police to call his men to order.
- The Forum notes with concern, the refusal of the Federal Government to distinguish between the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN revenue and revenue accruing to the Federation which must be allocated in accordance with extant laws. We call on the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation to be more transparent in obeying the law, particularly section 162 (1) (2) (3). And equally call on the Accountant General of the Federation to stop behaving like the Accountant General of the Federal Government and to exercise her role in line with constitution. Therefore, we call for the separation of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and that of the Accountant General of the FGN.
- Finally, the Forum commends the host, the Taraba State Government, under Governor Agbu Kefas, for the hospitality accorded members of the Forum and the Secretariat and noted with delight the giant steps taken to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state; which is in line with the governance philosophy of the PDP.
His Excellency Sen. Bala Mohammed.
Governor of Bauchi State.
Chairman PDP Governor’s Forum.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU SWEARS IN JUSTICE KEKERE-EKUN AS ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, SAYS INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY CRITICAL FOR PRESERVING SOCIAL ORDER, PEACE AND SECURITY
President Bola Tinubu on Friday administered oath of office on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), pending her confirmation by the Senate.
The swearing-in of the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female justice to hold the office took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
In his remarks, President Tinubu urged the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria to defend the independence of the judiciary and promote the cause of justice.
The President emphasized the importance of strengthening mechanisms that will uphold and enhance integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judiciary.
”Undoubtedly, the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities as the head of all judicial institutions in the country. It is a position of considerable influence that demands temperance and sobriety.
”The occupant of the office must exude the highest level of integrity in the discharge of their duties. This is more so because of the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgments.
”I, therefore, urge your Lordship to be faithful and loyal to the Constitution when discharging your duty as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
”I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence and always promote the cause of justice. It is vital that you strengthen all mechanisms for integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector, and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain and build public confidence in the judiciary,” the President stated.
President Tinubu also lauded the contributions of Justice Kekere-Ekun to the judiciary, noting that she is coming to the position with an admirable family and professional pedigree.
”Over the years, she has established a respectable and incorruptible reputation within the bar and the bench, which asserts the cause of justice.
”Her meritorious rise from a magistrate to justice of the Supreme Court is a testament to her exceptional talent, hard work, unblemished record, strong work ethic, and dedication to her calling as a priest in the temple of justice.
”Her sterling contribution to the growth of the Nigerian judiciary has been remarkable. We are inspired by her unwavering commitment to a higher ideal of upholding the principles of fairness and a strong commitment to humanity.
”Justice Kekere-Ekun is a brilliant lawyer who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She’s now a trailblazer becoming the second woman to hold this esteemed position after Honourable Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, GCON,” the President said.
President Tinubu noted that the appointment of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria is an inspiration and a beacon of hope to young women who aspire to break glass ceilings across sectors and seek to make meaningful impact on society.
Reflecting on the roles and evolution of the Nigerian Supreme Court since it was empowered by the 1963 Constitution to take over from the then Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court, the President noted that the court has played a critical role in resolving complex legal conflicts, even under the military.
He acknowledged the role of the Supreme Court in shaping public policies that impact all segments of society, citing the recent interpretation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding the financial autonomy of local councils in Nigeria.
Highlighting the expedited passage of the Judicial Autonomy Act of 2024, which increased the remuneration of judicial officers by 300 percent, President Tinubu assured the judiciary of continued support from his administration in the expeditious improvement of its welfare and capacity.
He cited the appointment of 11 new justices of the Supreme Court in December 2023, which is enabling the court to work efficiently as it attained its full complement of 21 justices for the first time in decades.
”Let me also reassure you that the judiciary under this administration will continue to receive prompt and adequate attention, recognizing its status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security and economic development,” the President said.
President Tinubu also expressed gratitude to the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, commending him for his 32 years of service to the judiciary and the nation.
Speaking to the media after the swearing-in, the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria pledged to elevate the judiciary to new heights, improve its reputation, and sustain public confidence in the judicial system.
”We will make sure that people have more confidence in the judiciary, and I believe that it is not a one-man job. We all have to be on board because we all see the areas that are in need of improvement.
”I believe that there will be maximum cooperation because we all want to see a better judiciary.
”A better judiciary is for the benefit of the entire nation. Whatever the shortcomings that we see today are, we are all members of the society so, if we want to see a better society, if we want to see improvement, let the improvement start with each and every one of us and our approach to justice.
”Let us all have faith in the system and then also be particular about the process of appointment, I know it is a source of a lot of concern; the issue of discipline on the bench and at the bar as well.
”All of these things are aspects that we will look into and I believe that by the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we should be able to have a judiciary that we will all be proud of,” the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria said.
The event was witnessed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed; justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officers, and some members of the Federal Executive Council.
The family of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, led by her spouse, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun was also present at the State House Council Chamber.
As part of measures to ensure the welfare of the judiciary, the federal budgetary allocation to the institution was increased by 100 percent during President Tinubu’s first year in office.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 23, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU FELICITATES LAGOS CHIEF OF STAFF, TAYO AYINDE, AT 60
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as he marks his 60th birthday.
The President commends Mr. Ayinde for his diligence and dedication, which he demonstrated while working as his chief detail during his time as Governor of Lagos.
The President notes that Mr. Ayinde, an accountant, has brought the same zeal and exemplary devotion to duty to his job as Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Chief of Staff.
President Tinubu congratulates the Lagos Chief of Staff on the milestone and wishes him long life and robust health.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 23, 2024
