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JUST IN: Court Refuses To Disqualify Tinubu, Peter Obi, From 2023 Election Contest

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A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, declined to disqualify Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu, presidential candidates of the Labour Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC), respectively, from the 2023 presidential election.

The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo, held that a suit the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lodged against the two presidential candidates, lacked merit and deserved to be dismissed.

The PDP had approached the court, accusing both Obi and Tinubu of acting in breach of the Electoral Act.

It told the court that contrary to provisions of the electoral law, both Obi and Tinubu, failed to nominate their running mates in due time, choosing rather to temporarily hand over their Vice Presidential tickets to placeholders.

PDP told the court that whereas the candidate of the Labour Party, Obi, chose Dr. Doyin Okupe as the placeholder for his Vice Presidential post, the other hand, candidate of the APC, Tinubu, submitted the name of Alhaji Kabiru Masari as his placeholder.

Plaintiff, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, contended that the Electoral Act, 2022, did not make provision for a “place holder” or temporary running mate.

It argued that the subsequent resignation, withdrawal, or substitution of Okupe and Masari, by both the LP and the APC, were illegal and unconstitutional.

PDP maintained that Obi and Tinubu could only qualify to contest the 2023 presidential election with Okupe and Masari, as their respective running mate.

It further argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was bereft of the power to accept any withdrawal or substitution of both Okupe and Masari, without the LP and the APC conducting fresh primaries to substitute Obi and Tinubu.

PDP told the court that both Okupe and Masari are not products of any primary election and as such were not validly nominated by the LP and the APC.

However, in his judgment on Monday, Justice Okorowo held that the suit was not only incompetent but amounted to gross abuse of the judicial process.

The court held that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain an incompetent suit and accordingly dismissed it.

“This suit qualifies as one which amounts to an abuse of court process”, Justice Okorowo held.

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Lagos Lawyer Gboyega Adetunji Delves Into Agriculture, Floats Abundish; A Revolutionary Farm-To-Table Outfit

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Barrister Gboyega Adetunji, a Lagos-based renowned legal practitioner, has ventured into agriculture with the launch of Abundish, a revolutionary farm-to-table service aimed at transforming how Nigerians access fresh, high-quality, and healthy farm produce.

Abundish is committed to offtake directly from farmers and supply to consumers promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring fair market value for produce.

The innovative platform offers a subscription-based model, allowing customers to customize their experience and receive curated selections of fresh, seasonal produce delivered conveniently to their homes.

“I’m thrilled to embark on this new journey, combining my passion for sustainable living and community development,” said Barrister Adetunji, Founder and CEO of Abundish.

“Our goal is to empower farmers, support local economies, and provide healthy, fresh produce to consumers while reducing food wastage and promoting sustainable practices.”

“Abundish is more than just a bridge,” says Barr. Gboyega Adetunji.

“We are a movement bringing fresh, high-quality produce whether cash or food crops directly from the farm to the end consumer, cutting out unhygienic produce, reducing landing costs of produce, and the convenience of doorstep delivery it affords our customers. This does not only benefits our customers, but also supports sustainable agricultural practices, grows the naira and local economies, and also empowers the farmers who nourish our communities.

Reacting to what inspires his diversification, Barr. Gboyega said “I’d always wanted to have my little farm that can cater for at least 80% of my consumption, but then I realized how impactful it would be if this practice could be extended to others, hence the creation of the Abundish brand”

When asked what sets Abundish apart from its counterparts, Barr. Gboyega said, “Abundish offers a unique subscription model, allowing customers to customize their experience and receive a curated selection of the freshest seasonal produce delivered conveniently to their homes. By bypassing traditional distribution channels, Abundish reduces food waste, ensures peak freshness for consumers and the amount of time doing tedious work of purchase and clean up”.

“Abundish offer fresh farm produce at fair market value, championing food security with sustainable practices” he added.

At Abundish, we are not just passionate about delivering farm-fresh produce, we are committed to creating a positive impact on our world. That is why we operate with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in mind, striving for a more sustainable, equitable, and food-secure future.

Join The Abundish Movement, visit www.abundish.info to learn more about Abundish, and subscribe to receive the freshest produce delivered at your convenience.

Follow Abundish on social media platforms for behind-the-scene farm footage, exclusive offers, recipes, and our social impact initiatives.

X (Twitter) – @abundish

Instagram – @abundish

Facebook – Abundish

 

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Governor Fubara Is The “Supreme Architect” Of Crisis Rocking Rivers — APC

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, is the “supreme architect” of the crisis in the state.

The ruling party is reacting to a comment by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleging plots to take over the government of Rivers forcefully.

Felix Morka, the national spokesperson for the APC, claimed in a statement released on Thursday that the opposition party made the “fake” assertion without addressing the problems facing the state.

According to Morka, Fubara has disrespected the law ever since taking office.

“Quite contrary to the PDP’s misplaced quibbles against Chief Okocha’s comments, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the supreme architect of the horrific crisis rocking Rivers state,” the statement reads.

“Since assuming office over a year ago, Governor Fubara has displayed reckless disdain for the rule of law and democratic institutions and conducted his government in flagrant violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In an unprecedented display of autocratic arrogance, Governor Fubara declared the democratically elected Rivers state House of Assembly to be non-existent and, without lawful authority, constituted a bogus and an illegal 3-man sham Assembly in brazen violation of express provisions of the Constitution on the threshold composition of the House of Assembly and in disregard of the separation of powers doctrine.

“The Governor has continued to expend public funds without lawful appropriations by a duly constituted legislature, thereby undermining the will of the good people of Rivers State and their right to effective and accountable democratic governance.”

The APC spokesperson said a “serious and focused” governor would have set a clear programme to conduct local government elections in the state.

Apart from the rift without Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory (FCT), which has torn apart the Rivers house of assembly, the state is witnessing a crisis at the local government level.

Recall that Fubara, on Tuesday, asked the heads of local government administration to assume control of the 23 council areas of the state following the tenure expiration of the chairmen.

Despite the governor’s directive, some former LGA chairmen reportedly attempted to resume duty at the council secretariats but were chased away by youths.

The development sparked political tension in Rivers as residents protested at the LGA secretariats while police officers fired multiple shots into the air to disperse protesters.

Although the governor has sworn in caretaker committee chairs for the LGAs, they have not been allowed to assume their offices.

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HEALTH: Death Toll From Lagos Cholera Outbreak Rises To 21

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The Lagos state government says the death toll from the cholera outbreak in the state has risen to 21.

On June 11, Akin Abayomi, the commissioner of health for Lagos, announced that a probable cholera epidemic in several areas of the city had resulted in five deaths and approximately sixty hospital admissions. The cholera outbreak was declared by the commissioner on Saturday.

Of the 350 suspected cases, 17 have been confirmed, resulting in 15 fatalities.

Kemi Ogunyemi, special adviser to the Lagos governor on health, gave an update on Thursday following a meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC).

She stated that the increase in cases was expected after the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

According to NAN, she said the total number of suspected infections increased to 401, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers of infections.

Ogunyemi said suspected cases are subsiding across LGAs due to the state government’s intervention and surveillance efforts.

“The ministry of health, in collaboration with the state ministry of environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination,” Ogunyemi said.

“We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected local government areas, to address the situation head-on.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, as well as the Ministry of Tertiary Education, to ensure all precautions are taken in our schools to protect children and scholars as they return.

“Residents must, however, remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera.”

Ogunyemi advised Nigerians to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise and fever.

She added that treatment for cholera has been provided free of charge at all public health facilities.

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