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Category: Politics Lite

  • Kano Guber Judgement Saga: Appeal Court Cites Clerical Error

    The Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Mr Umar Mohammed Bangari has cleared air on the controversies surrounding the judgment delivered by the Court on Kano gubernatorial election dispute.

    Bangari in reaction to the controversies said that what happened in the judgment body was a clerical error that did not in anyway invalidate or change the findings and conclusion of the court.

    The Chief Registrar assured that the clerical error would be rectified once parties in the matter file formal application to that effect.

    He drew the attention of newsmen to Order 23 Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal Handbook which empowers the court to correct any clerical error once detected by the court or any of the parties in the matter.

    He however insisted that contrary to insinuations, the judgment of the court remains valid.

    “What happened in the part of the judgment is just a mere clerical error that ought not to draw any issue. The Court is empowered to correct such clerical error and would be done as appropriate.

    There had been misgivings and a series of interpretations into the judgment which upheld the judgment of Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that invalidated the election of Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as winner of the March 18 gubernatorial poll.

  • Joseph Boakai Officially Declared Liberia’s New President

    Joseph Boakai, the former Vice President of Liberia and Unity Party candidate, has been officially declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

    The announcement was made by Davidetta Lansannah, chairperson of Liberia’s National Election Commission (NEC) on Monday evening.

    After counting 100 percent of the votes from the country’s 5,890 polling places, Mr. Boakai secured 814,481 votes out of the available 1,625,684, surpassing incumbent President George Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, who received 793,914 votes.

    Mr. Boakai’s vote share represented 50.64 percent of the total votes cast, while Mr. Weah received 49.36 percent.

    The first round of voting on October 10 did not produce a clear winner among the 20 presidential candidates, leading to a runoff between Weah and Boakai, the top two contenders.

    Unlike the first round, where a winner needed over 50 percent of the votes, a simple majority sufficed in the second round.

    Weah graciously accepted defeat and congratulated President-elect Boakai, urging his supporters to do the same when about 99 percent of the votes were counted.

    Foreign leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, extended congratulations to Mr. Boakai, commending the statesmanship displayed by both candidates.

    The United States Government also praised Mr. Weah for peacefully accepting the outcome of the closely contested election, emphasizing the need for national unity and healing post-election divisions.

    The victory of Joseph Boakai as Liberia’s new president signifies a historic moment, fostering hopes for unity and progress in the nation’s governance and development.

  • Appeal Court Dismisses Uba, PDP’s Suit Against Gov Alia, Deputy

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja division on Monday, dismissed an appeal instituted by the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Titus Uba, challenging the election of Hyacinth Alia as the elected Governor of Benue State.

    In a judgement delivered by the lead Justice, Onyekachi Aja Otisi dismissed the allegations of non qualifications made by Uba against the Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode.

    In a unanimous judgment, the Appallate Court held that the PDP gubernatorial candidate failed to establish forgery of INEC form EC9 by Ode beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

    Among others, the Court of Appeal said that the issues of non qualifications are pre-election matters which can only be challenged at a Federal High Court and not at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as done by Uba.

    Also, Justice Otisi said that a suit to challenge non qualifications can only be instituted within 14 days of occurrence of the subject matter.

    The Court also dealt with the allegations by Uba that the name of the Governor, Hyacinth Alia was not not submitted by the All Progressives Congress APC to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC within 180 days before the election of March 18.

    The Court held that the allegations can survive because the primary election that produce Alia was ordered by a High Court and was done within the period ordered by the court.

    In the final analysis, Justice Otisi held that the appeal of Uba against the judgment of Benue State Election Petition Tribunal delivered on September 23 lacked merit and was dismissed.

    The Court subsequently upheld the judgment of the Tribunal and rejected the plea of Uba to void it and set it aside.

  • Appeal Court Judgement: Police Ban Street Celebrations In Bauchi

    Bauchi State Police Command has taken a decisive step to forestall potential unrest in anticipation of the impending judgment from the Court of Appeal on the gubernatorial election petition. 

    The Police Spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, emphasized the ban on street celebrations, roadblocks, and provocative statements by political party supporters.

    Scheduled for Friday, November 17, 2023, the judgment has led to the prohibition of all rallies or celebratory gatherings linked to the Gubernatorial Election Petition.

    SP Ahmed Wakil highlighted the directive’s aim to prevent any potential disruptions or tensions between supporters of the ruling party, represented by Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, and the opposition party, with its flag bearer, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar (rtd).

    While recognizing the right to celebrate, Wakil emphasized the importance of supporters abiding by the law. 

    He emphasized that celebratory activities should not infringe upon the rights of others and urged compliance with legal provisions. He explicitly warned against road blockades, fireworks, inciting remarks, or attempts to intimidate the opposition party.

    The Police Command made it clear that any individual or group found violating the order or causing a breach of peace would face the consequences without hesitation.

    “Moreover, the blissful supporters must comport themselves in line with the provisions of the law; blockage of roads, fireworks, and inciting utterances or blackmailing the opposition party would not be condoned,” he said.

  • 2024: PDP Unveils Timetable For Edo Guber Election 

    The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unveiled the much-anticipated timetable for the Edo State 2024 gubernatorial election. 

    This schedule, released after a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, outlines the key activities preceding the election.

    Key highlights from the timetable include:

    Aspirants eyeing the governorship seat can obtain nomination forms for N21 million, with a 50 percent discount available for youths aged between 25 and 30; Registration of both existing and new members is set between November 16 and December 7, while the crucial party congress, determining the governorship candidate, is scheduled for February 22, 2024; December 14 marks the deadline for the submission of ward registers to the Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation; Stakeholders’ consultative meetings with the National Working Group will be held from December 19 to 20; Expression of interest and ad-hoc forms will be available for purchase from January 10 to 16, with January 17 as the final date for their submission; The screening of governorship aspirants by the National Working Committee is set for January 18, 2024; Sales of nomination forms for completed expression of interest submissions will take place from January 19 to 25, with January 27 as the deadline for their submission.

    The governorship primary is scheduled for February 22, while February 24 is earmarked for appeals related to the primary process.

  • Nasarawa Guber: Appeal Court Reserves Judgement On Sule’s Petition 

    The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, has reserved judgment in an appeal instituted by Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Sule was at the appellate court, contesting against the majority decision by a tribunal nullifying his election, in favour of David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    A three-member panel of justices headed by Justice U. Onyemenam told parties involved that the date for judgment will be communicated to them.

    In the actual proceedings, Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Sule who filed five processes to challenge the appeal urged the Court to dismiss the judgment of the Tribunal and allow the appeal of his client. 

    Olanipekun argued that the Tribunal refused to take the submissions of their witnesses during the Tribunal hearing and that data from the BVAS tendered to the Tribunal were merely dumped and without been considered as evidence.

    In his response, counsel to Ombugadu, Kanu Agabi SAN, and the PDP urged the court to dismiss the appeal stating that their evidence are merely documentary.

    On the issue of BVAS, Agabi argued that it was sufficiently demonstrated in the Tribunal as demanded by law, with the print out from the machine shown, against the argument that they were merely dumped without being analysed. 

    Agabi who referred the court to the judgment of the Tribunal argued that in delivering judgment, the lower court painstakingly gave a breakdown of how it arrived at its decision.

  • Anyanwu Resumes PDP National Secretary Role After Imo Election Loss

    Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has returned to his duties as the national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja after his defeat in the Imo state governorship election.

    Despite securing 71,503 votes, he trailed behind the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who emerged victorious with 540,308 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Expressing his dissatisfaction, Senator Anyanwu rejected the election outcome announced by the electoral commission.

    While uncertain about a legal challenge, there’s speculation about a potential court contest to challenge the results.

    In a heartening display of solidarity, a video shared by the PDP showcased jubilant party staff at the national secretariat, enthusiastically welcoming Senator Anyanwu upon his return to the Wadata Plaza office. 

    Addressing his supporters, Anyanwu expressed gratitude for their unwavering support and prayers.

    “It’s not over yet. Thank you for everything. I appreciate,” Senator Anyanwu remarked, settling in for the day’s activities amidst the enthusiastic reception by party members.

  • Kogi Poll: Ajaka Alleges Rigging, Decries INEC’s Role In Ododo’s Victory

    The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Kogi State governorship election held on November 11, 2023, Murtala Ajaka, has raised serious allegations of election rigging in favor of Usman Ododo from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking on Channels Television’s on Sunday night, Ajaka expressed his frustration with the electoral process and questioned the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ajaka asserted that contesting the election outcome in court would be futile, as he believes INEC would defend the results as a witness.

    He emphasized his disappointment, stating, “If the INEC chairman allows this to stand, they are looking for trouble in Nigeria.”

    According to Ajaka, despite assurances of transparency, he accused INEC of allowing the manipulation of results.

    INEC had declared Ododo as the winner of the highly contested poll, securing 446,237 votes against Ajaka’s 259,052 votes and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 46,362 votes. Ajaka alleged that figures were inflated in favor of the APC candidate, particularly pointing to discrepancies in Okene Local Government, where the turnout purportedly exceeded the number recorded on the Biometric Verification and Authentication System (BVAS).

    “In Okene Local Government, they turned out over 130,000 votes. Haba! And INEC accepted that result, and what is on the BVAS is less than 30,000,” Ajaka claimed.

    He called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of INEC officials in Kogi State and warned of potential consequences, stating, “If they allow this to stand, I doubt if there will be an election in 2027. Because people will go into that election armed, and I fear Somalia will be a child’s play.”

    In a surprising twist, Ajaka admitted that had they anticipated a similar outcome, they might have considered playing along with the alleged irregularities by inflating results from his area.

  • Guber Election: Respect Wishes Of Kogi People, APC Tells INEC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the popular will of Kogi electorate in Saturday ‘s governorship election.


    Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.


    “With the candidate of the APC, Usman Ododo, coasting to spectacular victory in Saturday’s Kogi governorship election, we call on INEC to protect the integrity of the legitimate votes of the Kogi electorate.


    “Announced and uploaded results, so far, show our candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East,” Morka said.


    He said the APC was aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state.


    He urged INEC to stand fast in discharge of its constitutional duty to deliver free, fair and credible election in the state, and ensure that the freely exercised will of Kogi electorate prevailed.

  • Imo Guber: How INEC Declared APC’s Hope Uzodimma Winner

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the November 11, 2023, Imo State governorship election, as officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The announcement was made by Prof Abayomi Fashina, the state Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, following over eight hours of meticulous collation of local government results, culminating in a confirmation of Uzodimma’s re-election at around 10 am on a Sunday morning.

    Uzodimma’s political journey in Imo State began with a significant twist when, in January 2020, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring Uzodimma as the governor.

    However, this turn of events seemingly intensified political tensions, leading to increased opposition against Uzodimma.

    The state faced challenges, including a security phenomenon characterized by “unknown gunmen,” abductions, and persistent Monday sit-at-home protests organized by pro-secessionist groups.

    In the recent election, Uzodimma faced formidable opponents, including Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP, Nneji Achonu of the Labour Party (LP)l;l, and Jack Ogunewe of the Action Alliance (AA), alongside 14 other contenders. Despite the competitive field, the APC candidate secured a resounding victory with 540,308 votes.

    His closest rivals, Anyanwu and Achonu, garnered 71,503 and 64,081 votes, respectively. This electoral outcome solidifies Uzodimma’s position as the re-elected governor and further shapes the political landscape in Imo State.