Today's Headlines: Wike Urges PDP to Suspend Atiku, Tambuwal; Church Member Kills Pastor in Sapele
Wike Urges PDP to Suspend Atiku, Tambuwal
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has called on the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and immediate past Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal from the party. Wike expressed this during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program. He believes their actions were detrimental to the party’s progress.
Wike, reacting to the recent tribunal verdict, commended the judges for their impartiality and commitment to justice. He emphasized that the ballot box is the true reflection of the people’s will.
He blamed some PDP leaders, including Atiku and Tambuwal, for the party’s poor performance in the recent general election. Wike cited arrogance, greed, and impunity as reasons for the loss and called for their suspension to allow the party to rebuild.
Wike defended himself against calls for his suspension within the party, stating that he had not done anything wrong against the PDP. He challenged those who called for his suspension to understand the party’s history and praised the party for standing for equity, justice, and fairness.
Wike also criticized Dele Momodu, a columnist and Ovation Magazine publisher, questioning his electoral value and contributions to the PDP.
The minister recognized that Nigerians expressed their electoral preferences in the recent general election and praised INEC for conducting a well-organized election. He acknowledged that although Peter Obi was a good candidate, the electoral landscape was not in his favor, emphasizing the importance of considering the prevailing realities over sentiments.
Church Member Kills Pastor in Sapele
A tragic incident occurred in Sapele, Delta State, where a Pentecostal pastor named Pastor Greg Sagie, aged in his 60s, was fatally attacked in his own home by a suspected church member wielding a machete.
The horrifying incident took place in the pipeline area of MTN Road around noon. Pastor Sagie was resting in his bedroom when the assailant forcefully entered his flat. The attacker even threatened Pastor Sagie’s two children, aged eight and 11, who were in the sitting room at the time. Terrified, the children managed to escape from the house and raised an alarm for help.
According to sources, the area where the incident occurred is relatively isolated with few houses around. Witnesses recounted hearing the children’s screams and rushed to the scene. They saw the assailant, described as a young man in his 20s, who had threatened them not to approach him. Instead, the attacker jumped from a storey building and fled the scene.
Disturbingly, the children identified the assailant as a member of their church, providing crucial information about his identity and residence.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Pastor Sagie succumbed to his severe head injuries on the way. One of the neighbors, Isaac, reported that he passed away while his car broke down during the journey.
Upon visiting the scene, it was evident that the police had cordoned off the area and were actively investigating the incident. The police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, was unavailable for confirmation, but a reliable source informed Vanguard that the police were actively pursuing the suspect.
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, the police are committed to uncovering the truth. Authorities have appealed to anyone with pertinent information that may lead to the suspect’s arrest to contact the nearest police station. They also urged the residents of Sapele to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that justice would prevail in this tragic case.
Church members described Pastor Sagie as a humble and dedicated man of God who preached peace and love, making this shocking incident even more distressing for the community.
14 Officers, 9 Soldiers Face Army Court Martial in Abuja – Latest
Fourteen officers and nine soldiers accused of violating various provisions of the Armed Forces Act are currently undergoing a general court martial in Abuja.
Major-General Koko Isoni, the commander of Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ Gar), inaugurated the court martial at the Scorpion Officer’s Mess in Asokoro, Abuja. This action was taken under the authority granted to him by Section 131 (2) (d) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN, 2004, for the purpose of trying Nigerian Army personnel accused of committing various offenses.
In his inaugural address, the garrison commander assured the accused individuals that the court would ensure justice for all parties involved. He emphasized that the court members were individuals of integrity and high reputation who would utilize their years of experience and service knowledge.
The court president was identified as Brigadier-General M.O. Eteng, and the judge advocate is Major A.D. Roberts. The duration of the court’s sitting is set at 60 days.
Isoni urged the court to prioritize substantive justice over technicalities and advised those appearing before the court to avoid unnecessary delays that might prolong their trials. He stressed that justice delayed is not just delayed but ultimately denied.
The commander emphasized that the court operates independently of him and encouraged it to fulfill its responsibilities without bias or favoritism towards any party.
Many Issues Need More Clarifications in Presidential Tribunal Judgment – SAN
In a recent interview with THE PUNCH, Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, shared his perspective on the Wednesday judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Regarding the judgment delivered on Wednesday by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Dr. Nwobike commended it as a true reflection of the principles of law governing election litigations in Nigeria. He highlighted that the judgment was based on a thorough understanding of the presented evidence and submissions of counsel.
Commenting on the historic live broadcast of court proceedings, he welcomed the idea and praised the Court of Appeal for introducing live streaming. He acknowledged that the Labor Party had applied for this, and while initially denied, the court eventually recognized its importance in guaranteeing transparency.
Regarding the intentions of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labor Party (LP) to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court, Dr. Nwobike supported their right to do so. He explained that the Tribunal had examined and resolved various legal and factual issues in favor of the Respondents, including matters related to the 2nd Respondent’s qualifications and the interpretation of constitutional provisions.
Dr. Nwobike lauded the Tribunal’s decisions in favor of the respondents, he expressed confidence in their correctness, emphasizing that the judgments aligned with established legal principles. He encouraged the petitioners to exercise their right to pursue remedies at the Supreme Court, a customary practice in electoral disputes of this magnitude.
In acknowledgment of the unique industry displayed by the learned justices in delivering the judgments, Dr. Nwobike expressed appreciation. He believed that these decisions would serve as invaluable guides for lawyers, administrators, and politicians involved in electoral processes in Nigeria and potentially beyond.
Commenting on the issue of presidential candidates scoring at least 25% of votes in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT), he agreed with the reasoning of the Tribunal. He believed this interpretation aligned with modern societies’ approach to constitutional provisions and prevented potential constitutional crises and impracticalities.
Regarding the possibility of the judgment being overturned at the Supreme Court, he acknowledged the likelihood of an appeal due to the many raised issues requiring further clarification. However, he cautioned against prematurely concluding the outcome, emphasizing that the law would ultimately determine the Supreme Court’s decision.
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