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Bill To Make Appeal Court Final Arbiter In Governorship Election Disputes Passes 2nd Reading
By Gloria Ikibah
A bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to make the Court of Appeal the final court in disputes involving governorship, and National and State Houses of Assembly elections in Nigeria has passed second in the House of Representatives on Tuesday at plenary.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi, member representing Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwani Federal Constituency of Delta State, seeks to delete some sections of the Constitution.
Debating the general principles of the bill, Rep. Ezechi said the proposed legislation seeks to alter the provision of sub-section (3) of Section 246 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The bill seeks to delete the existing subsection (3) and substitute a new subsection (3) to read “The decisions of the Court of Appeal in respect of appeals arising from the Governorship, National and State Houses of Assembly election Petitions shall be final.”
“Mr Speaker, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act of 2010 altered section 246 subsection (1) by providing in paragraphs (b) and (c) that appeals to the Court of Appeal shall be as of right from the decisions of the National and State Houses of Assembly and decisions of the Governorship Election Tribunals as to whether a person has been validly elected as a lawmaker or a governor or whether his tenure has ceased or his seat has become vacant.
“The Second alteration specifically provided in section 246 subsection (3) that the decisions of the Court of Appeal arising from the National and State Houses of Assembly election petition shall be final.
“However, the amendment did not say anything about the Governorship Election Petition thereby allowing all governorship election petitions to proceed to the apex Court (Supreme Court).
“This bill is trying to amend the present provision of Section 246 subsection (3) by making the Court of Appeal the final appeal Court for all election petitions”, he said.
According to the lawmakers, “This would enable the final winner of a governorship election to be known without delay. If the person declared as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission wins in the Court of Appeal, it would allow him to settle down and face the business of governance without distraction.”
He also noted that terminating election disputes at the appellate court would save cost, saying, “If such petitions end in the Court of Appeal, it would reduce the financial resources being wasted by the parties in prosecuting such cases to the Supreme Court.”
He continued, “We should note that the original provision of Section 246 (1)(b) stated that an appeal shall lie as of right from the decisions of the National Assembly Election Tribunals and Governorship and Legislative Houses Tribunals on the issues mentioned above.
“Subsection (3) of the said section clearly stated that the decisions of the Court of Appeal in respect of appeals arising from election petitions shall be final.”
Following its adoption, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu for further legislative actions.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairperson and Convener of Asiwaju Renewed Hope (ARH’23), Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola has paid glowing tributes to the President of Nigeria, National Leader of All Progressives Congress APC and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator (Asiwaju) Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as he celebrate his 73rd birthday.
Olokode-Ayelabola, a resident of the Republic of Ireland who mobilised and campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the February 2023 presidential poll is a behavioral, developmental and child/young persons care professional, in a congratulatory massage to the septuagenarian described him as a visionary and transformative president.
She said the Nigerian leader who is also the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, has remained a Colossus and a phenomenon in the annals of the ruling party and the nation’s political history.
Kemi also noted that the exceptional political career and service of Tinubu, has inspired so many people and has produced many successful leaders in the country.
She continued to disclose further that the APC National Leader is an icon, bridge builder and a patriotic elder statesman who believes in the development, unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, I feel so elated and fulfilled to join other well meaning Nigerians across the globe to felicitate with you on your 73rd birthday. You are indeed an incredible leader with a large heart who has continued to be a major player in the Nigerian politics through your broad-minded and examplary leadership style.
“So many people owe their successes to your magnanimity and accommodating nature. You are truly a legend, an astute politician with uncommon intellect. It is my prayer that your tireless commitment to addressing governance challenges, fortifying national security, and mitigating economic hardships continue to inspire vista of hope and resilience among Nigerians”, she said.
Kemi prayed for more years in good health and wisdom for the president, to continue to serve Nigeria and humanity by extention.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 73rd birthday, praising his courageous decisions that have saved Nigeria from economic collapse.
Kalu specifically highlighted President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy, which he described as a “whited sepulchre” that had deceptively appeared economical on the surface but was, in reality, draining the country’s resources.
He emphasized that this bold move served as the crucial catalyst that jump-started Nigeria’s economy.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the President’s courageous decision has crystalized Nigeria’s economic prospects, paving the way for sustainable growth and development.
Kalu also commended President Tinubu’s efforts to develop the geopolitical zones in Nigeria through the creation of regional development commissions.
He believes that the initiative will meet the infrastructure needs of the people and foster economic prosperity and social cohesion.
While acknowledging the current hardship in the country however, Kalu urged Nigerians to be patient, assuring that better days lie ahead as President Tinubu’s economic policies mature.
He emphasized that Tinubu’s administration could not have come at a better time, stressing that the President is diligently working to reposition the nation for greatness.
“President Tinubu’s leadership has been a game-changer for Nigeria. His commitment to economic reforms and development is unwavering, and we are confident that his policies will yield positive results in the long run”, he said.
Wishing President Tinubu well, Kalu also prayed for many more years in good health, saying, “We celebrate not just your birthday, Mr. President, but also your tireless efforts to build a better Nigeria for all.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The president of Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs S.M Akintayo, has adjourned a divorce suit brought before it by a man, Kasali, against his wife, Ajoke, on the account of irreconcilable differences.
Kasali stated that he and Ajoke never had a traditional wedding, but that she moved into his house shortly after they met.
Kasali added that he refused to pay Ajoke’s bride price because she was no longer a virgin by the time they met
The plaintiff insisted on divorce because according to him, no meaningful communication ever held between him and his wife.
Kasali stated that he and Ajoke did not understand each other which was the reason for their regular fight.
Kasali further stated that Ajoke was already dating another man which made it imperative that the relationship between him and her be brought to an end.
Ajoke was not in court, although she was served court summonses.
Kasali, in his evidence, said, “My wife moved into my house shortly after we met.
“We never held any marital rites.
“I refused to pay her bride price when her parents insisted on having it because she is not a virgin.
My lord, living with my wife was an error.
“We never understood each other and hardly agreed on any issue.
“We lived like cat and dog; shouting at each other and nagging.
“There was communication breakdown in our relationship.
I heaved a sigh of relief the day she moved out of my house.
“I came to court to end our marriage. This I believe is necessary because she has started dating another man.”
(TRIBUNE)
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