Rotimi Amaechi’s Victory Challenged
July 29, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba · 1 Comment
Finally, a ray of judicial hope appears in the questionable imposition of Rotimi Amaechi as governor of Rivers State by the Supreme Court. The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) candidate in the 14 April 2007 election in Rivers State, Sergeant Awuse has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the refusal of both the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal to hear his appeal challenging the victory of the PDP in the election.
Awuse wants the NJC to reconstitute an Election Petition Tribunal to hear his petition alleging massive irregularities. According to Awuse, the law cannot trade off these irregularities, rigging, allotment of votes and unlawful votes INEC donated to PDP. He further more stated that the Supreme Court’s resolution of the PDP primary crisis in favour of Amaechi, is different from the general election.
Both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, has refused to hear Awuse’s petition on the grounds that the Supreme Court had ordered Amaeachi the rightful PDP candidate and all votes cast for PDP in the election be deemed for Amaechi. It is this blank cheque that Awuse is challenging, reasoning that, the election that produced the votes PDP claimed, was rigged and should be held up to the rules of the Electoral Act.
In the run up to the election, Amaechi’s name was substituted with Celestine Omehia, who contested the general election on the platform of the PDP against other political parties in accordance with the Electoral Act.
Rotimi Amaechi, never stood for the general election, as he was not fielded by the PDP.
| 3.2 |
PDP Disagrees with Ondo Tribunal Verdict.
July 27, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · 1 Comment
In deed how the cookies crumble. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, are up in arms, shouting blue murder over the July 25th judgment of the Ondo Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure. The tribunal had nullified the election of incumbent PDP governor Dr. Olusegun Agagu and ordered that the Labour Party (LP) candidate Dr. Olusegun Mimiko be sworn in as governor.
In an advertorial in the major national dailies, signed by Dr. Tayo and Professor Olusoga Olopade State Chairman and State Legal adviser of PDP respectively, the PDP accused the tribunal of frustrating their efforts to get a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, to enable them file an appeal within 21 days as prescribed by the rules of the Electoral Act. The advertorial further alleged that the judgment was not ready after over 2 hours despite the chairman Justice Garuba Nabraruma’s promise in open court that the judgment is ready.
Another curious expose by the advertorial, is that the judgment was not wholly type written. This lacuna has given PDP a life line to impute that the untyped part is reserved for adulteration to balance the judgment delivered in favour of LP’s candidate.
| 3.2 |
David Mark Senate President Wins!
July 16, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · 1 Comment
The Court of Appeal sitting in Jos, delivered judgment in favour of the Senate President, Senator David Mark. In a judgment legal luminaries are still querying, the court of appeal’s decision to over ruled the judgment of the Benue State Electoral, which had ordered a by-election in two Local Government Areas within the senatorial zone. The lower tribunal had ruled that Young Alhaji, the challenger in the disputed April 2008 election, had the highest number of valid votes cast.
By the strength of this, Young Alhaji cross appealed, praying the court of appeal to announce him the winner but David Mark in his own appeal, petitioned that there were irregularities in the other Local Government Areas that Young Alhaji won. The Court of Appeal unanimously held that David Mark won the election.
In a related questionable circumstance, the Osun State Electoral Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, yesterday, entered judgment in favour of the incumbent PDP Governor Olagunsoye Oyinola against the petition of Rauf Aregbesola of the Action Congress. There is an uneasy calm in Osun State, following what the AC called rape of justice by the active participation of the judiciary.
At the wake of the April general election, a flash in the pan boost was given to the battered image of the judiciary, especially the judges of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court showed rare courage when she ruled in favour of Peter Obi of Anambra State, whose mandate was stolen and kept in custody of Dr. Chris Ngige, while the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo kept criminally silent.
But this mirage has turned into full bashing of the judiciary, especially the members of the Court of Appeal. One wonders if these judgments are not endorsement of survival of the fittest and who can mobilize the greatest and ferocious thugs on election day.
| 2.5 |
Tailor beats Professor of Law in court
March 21, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The Edo State gubernatorial election tribunal sitting in Benin this afternoon 20th Day of March, 2008, nullified the election of professor Osunbor and entered judgment in favour of Adams Oshiomhole the
immediate past president of the national union of textile workers and the ex-president of Nigerian Labour Congress NLC.
In a unanimous judgment spanning into 6hrs, the lead judge, dismantled the sham of an election conducted in Edo State, which according to the learned justices, was marred by violence, fraud and substantial compliance with acts unfit of a democratic process for change of government.
The citizens of Edo are in a festive mood, as they see this judgment as a gift from Osanobua, who has redeemed them from the wasted years of Lucky Igbenedion. Another source of the uncontrolled celebration in Benin is the death of godfatherism, as the now removed governor is believed to be a stooge of Mr. Fix, whom they believe unfixed Lucky and foisted Professor Osunbor on them.
Feelers from other parts of the country hails the judgment and praise the judiciary, whom they believe is doing a dance of shame, one step forward, two steps sideways and ten steps backwards. Be that as it may, Nigerians are rekindling their hopes in the election tribunal after the rape of justice in the presidential election tribunal, the ruling in Oyo State, and Imo State.
| 2.5 |
Seasons of Pessimism and Optimism
February 27, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
These states of the mind are perversive amongst Nigerians today, having emerged from the high’s and lo’s of the tribunal rulings both at the state and national levels recently. Indeed, one’s mind remain the last bastion that the law courts cannot rule for or against; at least its independence to an extent is still intact.
In this season, one can decide to be a pessimist or an optimist about the way forward for Nigeria; even both feeling/state of mind can exist depending on the issue and its perspective. Whatever your feelings are, we have got a country to rescue and your fatherland needs you. However, you may choose to feel is your right but you have a duty to transform that feeling into something positive for Nigeria.
Whether you are a pessimist or an optimist, here is a heath check for you:
- Characteristics of a Pessimist and an Optimist
“Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars.”- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts
If you’ve placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join again?
In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.
So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
Well, optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.
On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teenager’s disorder’ as well.
Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that back up why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, are their own fault.
The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune—it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case.
Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive reinterpretation.’ In other words, they most likely reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”
Positive expectancies of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People respond positively to optimists
Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.
Optimism seems a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher
Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.
They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.
Optimists are healthier and live longer
Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease.
Optimists’ health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.
Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?
Courtesy: Sulamita Berrezi
It is not just about your life, it is also about the life of Nigeria as a nation with a people. Let us all think positively for a better Nigeria; while looking forward to it success and greatness when this season passes-over.
| 1.5 |
Governor Theodore Orji Sacked
February 25, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
Breaking NEWS -
Tribunal sacks Theodore Orji, returns Onyema Ugochukwu as Abia Governor
The Abia State Election Petitions Tribunal on Monday in Umuahia nullified the election of the state governor, Mr. Theodore Orji. Delivering the judgment, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Abdullahi Yusuf said Mr. Orji was not the duly elected governor of the state since he had not resigned his appointment by the time of the election. Orji, who was returned governor under the Progressive Peoples Party (PPA), was the Chief of Staff to governor Orji Uzor Kalu, the immediate past governor of Abia State.
The seven-man panel consequently declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 14 poll, Onyeama Ugochukwu as the winner of the poll. Ugochukwu had asked the tribunal to void the election of Orji because the PDP polled the highest number of votes in the election. He also told the tribunal that Orji and his deputy, Mr Akwos, were members of a notorious secret cult, the Okija Shrine. The Tribunal had at the weekend delivered four judgments at a sitting, all going against the petitioners.
SOURCE: Guardian
| 1.5 |
Unpublished THISDAY Comment
June 1, 2007 by OCI · 5 Comments
Gozney: We’ll Review UK Visa Process : Original Article
By Tokunbo Adedoja, 06.01.2007
With the difficulty being experienced by many Nigerian visa applicants in accessing the on-line facility - internet connectivity, the British High Commission yesterday promised to review the process so that people can go to the Visa Application Center in good time without an appointment.
Reacting to the column yesterday by THISDAY Editor, Olusegun Adeniyi, titled “The Scam in UK Visa Process”, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney, who had earlier called before sending a written response said the process was designed for the convenience of and not against Nigerian applicants.
He also said “if an applicant pays at GTBank in advance but then explains to us by e-mail that they cannot make the application online ( [send email to info@ukvac-ng.com via gmail] info@ukvac-ng.com or [send email to visa-lagos@fco.gov.uk via gmail] visa-lagos@fco.gov.uk) and does so before 30 days are up, we will refund the money.”
The full text of the letter personally signed by Gozney and addressed to Adeniyi reads: Read more
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