1. The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Governor Nyesom Wike as the winner of the March 9 Governorship election in Rivers state. State Returning Officer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Professor Teddy Addia declared that Governor Wike polled at total of 886,264 votes to defeat his closest rival; Biokpomabo Awara of the AAC who polled 173, 873, 809 votes.
2. The National Judicial Council, NJC has reached a decision on the allegations against Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON, saying they were subjudice and therefore, could not be considered. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday, by Soji Oye, the council’s Director of Information. The NJC said its recommendation had been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for further action.
3. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Nigerian economy is recovering with increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and falling inflation at the end of 2018. The Executive Board of the IMF stated this in its report at the conclusion of the Board’s consultation with Nigeria; according to a statement issued in Washington, DC by a spokesperson for the Fund, Lucie Fouda.
4. A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has exonerated the Returning Officer, Prof. Meshach N Umenweke of any wrongdoing during the Anambra South senatorial election. Delivering his judgement on the matter, Justice IB Gafai stated that Prof Umenweke has no case to answer; and at best would serve as principal prosecution witness in the matter.
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5. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State says its 13 state assembly members-elect boycotted INEC’s issuance of Certificate of Return due to security reasons. A statement by Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa; PDP’s Spokesperson for 2019 Campaign Management Team in Kano State made this known in Kano on Wednesday. Dawakin-Tofa said the party asked its members to boycott the exercise because the Sani Abacha Indoor Sports Hall, which was the venue of the ceremony, was not conducive due to serious security reasons.
6. A policeman attached to Omu-Aran Police Division in Kwara, who was attacked by a suspected mad man, is dead, the News Agency of Nigeria. The deceased, simply identified as Sgt. Abu, was said to be within the premises of the police station when he was attacked on Tuesday afternoon by the assailant. The assailant, who was armed with a cutlass and other dangerous weapons, was said to be showing signs of insanity before the attack. The assailant has, however, been apprehended.
7. Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has approved a 100 per cent upward review of the monthly allowance for corps members posted to the state with effect from April. Dickson announced this yesterday when the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Suleiman Kazaure, visited him in Yenagoa, the state capital.
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8. The Police Command in Cross River State has confirmed the killing of three persons after clashes between cult members in Calabar South Local Government Area (LGA) of the State. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Irene Ugbo, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday. Ugbo said the clashes occurred between suspected members of Klans and Black Axe cult groups.
9. A Federal High Court in Abuja, Wednesday, sacked the Senator-elect representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi. Justice Ahmed Mohammed in a Judgment held that Nwaoboshi who is a serving senator was not the winner of the October 2, 2018 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) primary held to select a candidate for the 2019 general election. He ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of Ned Nwoko as candidate of the PDP.
10. Following the court judgement that nullified the nomination of Senator Ademola Adeleke, as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the September 22, governorship election, it’s campaign organisation has described the ruling as a ruse, which can’t stand. This was contained in a statement signed by a leading member of the campaign organisation, Barr Niyi Owolade, the copy which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. He said there was a clear-cut lacuna in the judgment, as it subverts justice by ignoring four critical evidence to rule against validated facts and submissions
