Sokoto governor, Tambuwal, loses in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has dismissed the bid by Governor Amunu Waziri Tambuwal to stop a court’s action challenging the propriety of his nomination for the 2015 governorship election by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Supreme Court held that the nomination of Mr. Tambuwal by his party should be challenged by another governorship aspirant, Umaru Dahiru, on the ground that he has sufficient justifiable cause.

In a unanimous decision of a five-man panel of the Supreme Court Justices, the Apex Court held that to agree with Mr. Tambuwal that the primary election that produced him cannot be challenged by another governorship aspirant is to allow democracy to be murdered by the governor.

In the lead judgement by Justice Musa Mohammed, read by Justice Chima Nweza, the apex court set aside the decision of the court of appeal that the court action instituted by Mr. Dahiru against Mr. Tambuwal had been overtaken by events on the strength of the election of the governor.

The Supreme Court said the Appeal Court erred in law by holding that the event had overtaken the case simply because the governorship election had been conducted after the primary election.

The Apex Court therefore ordered that a Federal High Court in Abuja should retry the case on its merit and make decision as demanded by law.

Mr. Dahiru had challenged the conduct of the primary election that produced Mr. Tambuwal as candidate of APC on the ground that it was fraught with fraud because the original list of the delegate for primary election was swap in favour of Mr. Tambuwal.

By this development, the Federal High Court in Abuja will now determine the matter on its merit as ordered by the Supreme Court.

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TRAIN AND TRAILER COLLIDE IN ABA

Along Aba /Owerri Road by Factory Road in Aba, Abia State just this morning.
Even with the loud horn of a train which you can hear from a distance before it gets to a busy junction, this trailer drivers think they can beat everything on the road. This is an accident caused by recklessness and impatience. Drive safely this festive period. 

See what Sports Minister Told super falcons.

We can’t pay super falcons because we didn’t expect them to win-Sports Minister.

Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Solomon Dalong Thursday said that government has not been able to pay the allowances of the Super Falcons because their victory in Cameroon was not expected. Recall that the team on Saturday won the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations but had not been paid their allowances.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Dalong said that there was no money readily available to pay them. He however said that efforts were being made to find solution to the matter. He said: “It is unfortunate that we are celebrating victory of the Super Falcons amidst some bitter feelings among the players because of some administrative lapses that were not managed properly because if the situation was explained to these girls, I don’t think the situation would have gotten to this level. “They have stamped their authority and dominance over football in the continent, having consistently won the trophy eight times. “After the girls came back from Cameroon, we had launched with them and they were in high spirits, the communication gap in trying to convey the situation to them could have been what led to it.

CHAPECOENSE FOOTBALLER NETO, WHO SURVIVED THE PLANE CRASH WAS READING BIBLE BEFORE THE CRASH (

Chapecoense centre back, Helio Neto, one of only six people whosurvived the Colombian plane crash which killed 71, was reading a Bible passage about ‘being safe in the shadow of your wings’ before the crash. The footballer’s bible was found at the scene of the crash by journalist Roberto Cabrini.

In a video footage Cabrini notices the Bible with a note inside saying it belongs to the defender.

A bookmark had been inserted next to Psalm 63. It reads;

‘On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night; Because you have been my help; Then I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. My soul follows you closely; Your right hand upholds me.”

The bible was handed to the footballer’s wife, who said that Neto is deeply religious and takes religious scriptures with him everywhere.

A total of 71 people lost their lives when the British-made Avro RJ85 aircraft came down en route to Medellin, where Brazilian side Chapecoense were due to play in the Copa Sudamericana final.

Declare state of emergency on federal roads in Abia, Ikpeazu tells FG

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, wants the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on federal roads in the State.

The Governor who lamented the bad state of most federal roads in Abia, made the call when he received members of the Federal House of Representative Committee on Works who were in the state in furtherance of their oversight functions.

Governor Ikpeazu stated that the State would have been completely cut off from the rest of Nigeria, if not for the intervention of his administration through palliative repair works on federal roads.

"As at today, Aba-Owerri road is the only entry and exit route into Aba, which is the commercial hub of Abia and states around, and even that was made possible because the state continues to intervene on the road.

"Both Port Harcourt and Ikot Ekpene Roads are completely closed to vehicular traffic. This has made it difficult to visit Abia State from Akwa Ibom and Rivers State through Ikot Ekpene, Opobo and PortHarcourt road.

"We want the federal government to declare state of emergency on federal roads in Abia. I therefore urge the members of the House of Representatives to help make a very strong case for Federal roads reconstruction in Abia State. As a government, we have also applied to the federal government to allow us reconstruct some of the roads in order to facilitate trade and commerce which Aba has comparative advantage. Even when we have not received reimbursement for previous works done"

Earlier, the Chairman House Committee on works, Hon. Tobi Okechukwu said that the Committee was in Abia State as part of their oversight activities for which they can rely upon to make laws.

"We are in Abia State to ascertain the condition of Federal Roads in the State as well as assess performance of contractors handling federal road projects in the South East.

"In due course, the house will take a look at those claims made by Abia State, so as to make sure the State is reimbursed for maintaining federal roads in the State" Okechukwu assured.