Winner oh oh oh winner!
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue the certificate of return to the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, as the senator-elect for the Imo West Senatorial District.
Justice Okon Abang made this order in his judgment on the suit filed by Okorocha to challenge INEC’s decision to withhold his certificate of return after he was declared the winner of February 23, 2019, National Assembly election in the Imo West Senatorial District. INEC had based its decision to withhold the certificate of return on the grounds that its Returning Officer who presided over the election complained to it that he declared the results under duress.
The judge held, “Once the declaration is made under section 68(c) of the Electoral Act, INEC has become functus officio and INEC has no lawful authority to withhold the certificate of return for any reason whatsoever. Therefore, the issue of duress is unknown to both the Electoral Act and the Constitution.”
Chai. So our sculptor…sorry, ex-governor can now heave a senatorial sigh of relief? But let us see if INEC will appeal this judgment. The only sad bit about this news, though, is that Justice Abang won’t enjoy the benefits of a statue.
‘Wrong na una name’
Daar Communications, owned by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Raymond Dokpesi, is the parent company of the radio and television stations. The company had its broadcast licences suspended by the National Broadcasting Commission headed by Kawu Modibbo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.
SERAP posted on Twitter, “We have carefully reviewed the ‘grounds’ for suspending AIT and Raypower. We maintain that the indefinite suspension by NBC is arbitrary and blatantly illegal. The ban must be lifted immediately. On her part, Ezekwesili said, “There is nothing in that letter from NBC to AIT that reaches the threshold for withdrawal of license and shut down of a media house that we all know government perceives as an ‘opposition media.”
LOL. If y’all have forgotten, we are now in the Next Level. Very soon government will shut down other political parties.
[Roaming] lion kings
A group of 14 lions have been spotted roaming near a mine in northeast South Africa, prompting warnings from local officials. The pride was seen near Phalaborwa Foskor mine, just west of Kruger National Park near the Mozambique border.
Rangers are monitoring the animals, and authorities plan to capture them and release them back into the reserve. Limpopo province officials warned civilians to “be alert at all times”.
Kruger National Park is one of the biggest game reserves in Africa, covering an area of 19,485 sq km (7,523 sq miles). The area is largely fenced off, and it is unclear how the lions left the park.
Na so e dey start. Very soon they will accuse the lions of chopping the money meant for the power sector.
What a man can’t do…
Mutiu Adepoju, an ex-international, has said that the Falconets should leave no stone unturned in the team’s campaign for the forthcoming U-20 World Cup. He said this against the backdrop of Flying Eagles abysmal performance at the ongoing U-20 Poland World Cup.
“There’s no point comparing the two, Falconets and their handlers should look at the male team to understand what the problem was in the team and try not to toe the same path,” Adepoju said.
“They should ensure that they leave no stone unturned before August; I believe that if they stick to the plan and the players play to instructions they will be fine.”
I still dey vex for those our U-20 boys. Mali and Senegal for just dash us their U-20 boys: Shebi we are still the giants of Africa?
If Andy Ruiz no make money, wetin him gain?
Ruiz pulled off one of the greatest shocks in boxing history at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, finishing favourite Joshua in the seventh round to capture the IBF, WBA and WBO titles. There was a rematch clause written into the contract and Eddie Hearn exercised it on Tuesday, the promoter announcing the two fighters would meet again at the end of the year and that he hopes it would take place in the UK.
“Yes, as they say, November or December,” the Mexican said, when asked by FightHype about the rematch. “I would love it to be here in the United States or in Mexico you know. It all depends on the team and what they negotiate.”
Why won’t Ruiz ask for a better deal when he knows Joshua wants to claim back his title as soon as possible? This Mexican, I’m sure, has Igbo ancestors. Ahem.