Politics
Headline: Court Invalidates Edo PDP Governorship Primary.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election held on February 22, 2024, invalid. This primary had produced Asue Ighodalo as the governorship candidate.
Delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, brought by aggrieved delegates led by Kelvin Mohammed, Justice Ekwo voided the primaries due to the unlawful exclusion of 378 delegates, in violation of the Electoral Act 2022, PDP guidelines, and the party’s constitution. The primary election took place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The court highlighted insufficient evidence from the PDP and indicated manipulation of result sheets by the returning officers. Justice Ekwo confirmed the plaintiffs’ success in establishing their case through the exhibits presented. Notably, INEC, the first defendant, did not submit further processes in the case and agreed to abide by the court’s decision.
The suit, initiated by delegates loyal to the impeached Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, sought orders to include the excluded delegates in the primary election. The plaintiffs argued for justice to be served by granting their reliefs.
Politics
Trump Vows to Impose Massive Tariffs to Protect American Car Industry
In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Futures, former President Donald Trump doubled down on his economic strategy to impose steep tariffs on foreign carmakers, a plan he says is essential for protecting U.S. automakers. Trump suggested raising tariffs on foreign vehicles by 200%, or even as high as 500%, to prevent overseas manufacturers, particularly those from China and Mexico, from competing with American car companies.
“I’ll put 200 or 500%, I don’t care, until they can’t sell one car here,” Trump declared, emphasizing that his goal is to stop foreign automakers from undermining U.S. manufacturing. He stressed that allowing foreign-made cars to dominate the market could lead to the collapse of the remaining U.S. car companies.
Trump’s proposal comes amidst criticism from several quarters, including conservative outlets like The Wall Street Journal, which warned of the potential negative impact such tariffs could have on the economy. The former president dismissed these concerns, arguing that the tariffs would not only bring car production back to the U.S. but also strengthen American manufacturing.
“We have the golden market. We have the money,” Trump said, warning that without drastic action, the U.S. risks losing its economic edge in car production. His plan is part of a broader economic agenda aimed at reshoring American industries and reducing dependency on foreign goods.
Politics
Sri Lanka swears in new left-leaning president
Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president, pledging to bring “clean” governance as the country continues to recover from its deepest economic crisis. The left-leaning leader, known for his stance against corruption, sees his election as a call for change and transparency in a country long troubled by political cronyism.
Dissanayake’s election follows the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 after mass protests driven by economic hardships. In his inaugural address, the 55-year-old president emphasized the need for a new political culture that restores public trust. “We need to establish a new clean political culture,” he said, while committing to safeguard democracy.
His speech underscored the importance of unity, with representatives from Sri Lanka’s Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities attending the ceremony. Dissanayake promised good governance, economic reform, and a focus on manufacturing, agriculture, and IT development. He also pledged to uphold Sri Lanka’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aiming to reduce the burden of austerity on the country’s poorest citizens.
Dissanayake’s swearing-in was preceded by the resignation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, setting the stage for a parliamentary dissolution as the nation embarks on this new political chapter.
Politics
Okpebholo Secures Victory in Edo Governorship Election
Okpebholo Monday, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election after receiving 291,667 votes. He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Olumide Akpata, who finished third with 22,761 votes. Fourteen other candidates also contested but received fewer votes.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Returning Officer from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, officially declared Okpebholo the winner at 09:27 pm at the collation center in Benin City, Edo State’s capital, amidst applause from APC supporters.
Okpebholo’s victory was dominant in over 10 out of the state’s 18 local government areas, while Ighodalo achieved marginal wins in the remaining councils. The APC also claimed control in two of the three key senatorial districts in Edo State.
-
Spotlight2 days ago
Discover the Best Hotels in Ojodu: A Stay at Mountain Top Suites and Apartments
-
News5 days ago
Florida Reels as Hurricane Milton Leaves Six Dead and Destruction in its Wake
-
Entertainment2 days ago
Chris Brown Concert Sparks Debate on Gender-Based Violence in South Africa
-
Sports2 days ago
Sinner Triumphs in Shanghai, Denies Djokovic’s 100th Title Bid
-
Politics2 days ago
Trump Vows to Impose Massive Tariffs to Protect American Car Industry
-
Tech5 days ago
Microsoft Unveils AI Tools to Support Doctors and Nurses and Ease Workload
-
News2 days ago
Over 60 Injured in Drone Strike on Northern Israel
-
Entertainment4 days ago
Coldplay’s ‘Moon Music’ Dominates UK Charts, Outselling Entire Top 40