Court dismisses suit challenging Makinde’s candidacy | Nairalaw

An Oyo State High court sitting in Ibadan on Tuesday dismissed
the suit filed by Senator Ayoade Adeseun and Sunday Adeyanju
challenging legality of the primary elections that produced Engr.
Seyi Makinde (governor-elect) as the gubernatorial candidate of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last governorship/House of
Assembly election in the state.

Adeseun, who was Makinde’s opponent in the PDP primaries held in
October 2018 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan had claimed that the
list of delegates that participated in the election was imported
and doctored.

The complainant in the suit had prayed that the court to declare
the primary elections of the party as undemocratic, null and
void.

During the court proceeding which started January 2019, the
claimant’s counsel, Michael Lana, presented 14 witnesses, while the
defendant’s counsel presented eight witnesses.

The presiding judge, Justice Ganiyu Sunmonu, ruled on Tuesday in
favour of PDP and dismissed all claims of the claimants.

Ganiyu said the Adeseun’s counsel could not prove with
substantial evidence that the delegates list for the primary was
doctored.

The judge said “he who assets must prove.

The claimants must provide the names that were removed, to prove
that the list was doctored.”

Drug Abuse: Gov Sani-Bello Closes Drug
Shops

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has ordered
immediate closure of drug shops found engaging in sales of hard
drugs and the prosecution of promoters of such pharmacy.

He gave the directive when he played host to members of Niger
State Council of Traditional Rulers led by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya
Abubakar in his office at the Government House in Minna, the state
capital.

The Governor who expressed concern over the effect on
socio-cultural fabric of the state said the administration would
deploy new strategy to address the menace.

He stressed that the fight against drug abuse will require the
support of all stakeholders and relevant bodies to work on blocking
all supply channels.

“We will consolidate more on addressing security challenges in
the state. We will give drug abuse priority because we noticed that
most of the criminal activities are carried out under the influence
of drugs.

“Having identified hard drugs as a major factor of criminal
activities, we have to come up with strategy of blocking all supply
channels and also follow up to ensure that black marketing does not
flourish as a result of this.”

The governor then assured the royal fathers that his
administration will continue to work with traditional institution
in the state, just as he commended the traditional rulers for the
support they have given to his administration within the past four
years.

“Your counsel, prayers and intervention has contributed strongly
to whatever success story we have to tell. You have displayed
extreme patriotism by using your respective positions to ensure
harmony, togetherness and most importantly , you have played a big
role in bringing the people together to achieve our common goal as
people of Niger State.

According to the Governor, “we will continue to uphold the
prestige and integrity of our traditional rulers. We cannot afford
to relegate our royal father’s position in the society because that
will affect us in every aspect.”

Earlier, Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and
Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar who spoke on behalf of the
traditional rulers in the state assured the Governor of their
support throughout his tenure and promised to continue to work for
the peaceful coexistence of the people of the state.

The Estu Nupe expressed joy over his victory at the
gubernatorial polls and prayed for a successful tenure in office,
as well as for peace , growth and development of the state and the
country.

Jibrin Baba Ndace
Chief Press Secretary
19 March 2019