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Category: Politics Lite

  • Court Halts Ondo Assembly Impeachment Move Against Dep Gov Aiyedatiwa

    A Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday, halted the impeachment process against the Ondo State House of Assembly Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before it.

    Justice Emeka Nwite also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarding same to the lawmakers for approval.

    The ruling was following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to Aiyedatiwa,  Kayode Adewusi.

    Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application.

    “Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said.

    The embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services.

    Others are Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State, and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.

    In the application dated and filed by Mr Adelanke Akinrata on September 21, Aiyedatiwa sought four reliefs.

    The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants, or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, and preventing Aiyedatiwa from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo state.

    Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs adjourned the matter until October 9 for a hearing.

    Aiyedatiwa had, also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 asked the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.

  • Bayelsa Guber: Suit Seeking Timipire Sylva’s Disqualification Dismissed 

    Bayelsa Guber: Suit Seeking Timipire Sylva’s Disqualification Dismissed 

    The Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify former Petroleum Resources Minister, Timipire Sylva from contesting in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, while dismissing the suit instituted against the All Progressive Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Sylvia, held that it was lacking in merit and wants of enough meat to warrant disqualification.

    According to the judgement, the plaintiff, Hon Isikima Ogbomade Johnson failed to establish the allegation that the APC did not conduct a lawful primary election that produced Sylva.

    The court insisted that the INEC’s report was clear beyond any doubt that a valid primary election was conducted by APC and monitored by the electoral umpire as required by law.

    On the police reports tendered by the plaintiff which claimed that no primary election was conducted by APC, Justices Ekwo said that the purported police reports were worthless and products of illegality because police were not mandated by any provisions of law to do what they did in favour of the plaintiff.

    The Judge, among others, faulted the police reports for not being on police letter head papers to give it semblance of originality while he also said that the duty of police at primary elections is to give protection and safety to election materials and voters.

    Besides, Justice Ekwo held that most of the documents brought by the plaintiff were done through the back doors in disregard to the well known established procedures.

    Also, the court rejected the suit because it was not instituted within 14  days the subject matter occurred, hence, it became academic matter adding that since court is not an academic institution, it would not dabble into such a matter.

    “In all, I find the case of the plaintiff to be weak having not been established by preponderance of evidence as required by law.

    “In the same vein, the case of the plaintiff, having been demolished by overwhelming exhibits tendered by APC and Timipire Sylva, has no legs to stand upon in the face of law.

    “I make an order, dismissing this case and it is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit,” the Judge held.

    The plaintiff had by an originating summons dragged APC, INEC and Sylvia before the Court praying for an order to disqualify Sylva from being allowed to participate in the coming November governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    He predicated his grouse against Sylvia on two grounds that Sylva had been elected into governorship office twice, took oath of office and oath of allegiance twice while he also claimed that the April 14 primary election that produced Sylva was illegal and unlawful having been allegedly done in contravention with APC’s guidelines.

  • Tribunal Victory: Jandor, Rhodes-Vivour Should Join Me In Building Lagos -Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgement as a victory for all Lagosians, even as he called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Abdulazeez Adediran, and Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party, to join hands with him in building Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu said this while addressing newsmen at the State House in Ikeja, after the11-hour judgment by a three-man panel led by Justice Arum Ashom at the Roseline Omotosho Court, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The panel in its unanimous decision, dismissed the two petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate Abdulazeez Adediran, and Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, his Labour Party counterpart.

    The governor lauded the judges for doing a good job, adding that they gave a well thought out and detailed judgment.

    Sanwo-Olu said the verdict was a call to greater service while assuring that his government would continue to work harder to deliver dividends of democracy to the people

    “It was a long, tough process but we are grateful that the voice of people of Lagos was heard and upheld.

    “The deputy governor and I are very privileged and thankful to residents for standing for and by us. It is a victory for all, no winner, no loser.

    “It is, however, an opportunity for more work and service. Therefore, we will continue to work harder to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people,” he said.

    The governor called on other candidates to join hands together to build a Lagos of their dreams.

    According to him, “l extend, again, an olive branch to my fellow contestants to join us in building the Lagos of our dreams.

    “If they have the passion to serve, we can work together because there is room for everyone to contribute meaningfully to the Lagos we all desire to see.”

    Reacting, Mr Olagbade Benson, Senior counsel to the Labour Party (LP) candidate, said the tribunal in his wisdom had delivered the judgment to the best of their knowledge.

    He advised all members of the party to stay calm and respect the rule of law.

    “The tribunal has done their part and we cannot ask for more. Therefore, we encourage every member of the Labour Party and all OBIdients to stay calm and obey the rule of law.”

    The tribunal chairman, Justice Arum Ashom in his lead Judgment had dismissed the petition filed by Rhodes-Vivour on grounds that it lacked merit.

    On the oath of allegiance to the United States of America by the deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the tribunal held that being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, his oath of allegiance to United State does not prevent him from contesting election.

    The tribunal, therefore, affirmed the declaration of INEC of the election of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat as the governor and deputy governor duly elected.

    On his part, reacting to the judgment, Mr Austin Akpomreta, defense counsel to the PDP governorship candidate explained that the next line of action would be taken after reviewing the judgment with his client.

    The election petition tribunal had also declared as dead on arrival, a petition of Adediran against Sanwo-Olu’s election.

    The tribunal held that evidence before it showed that the petition lacked merit.

    Adediran had contended that Sanwo-Olu was wrongfully nominated and sponsored by the APC and, therefore, was not qualified for the election.

    However, Justice Mikail Abdullahi, while reading the tribunal’s decision on the matter, held that the position did not form part of the grounds for disqualification for election into the office of a governor, under Sections 177 and 182 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

    The tribunal also declared that it had no powers to inquire into the primary election of the APC which produced Sanwo-Olu, adding that the issue was a pre-election matter which did not fall under its jurisdiction.

     

  • Kano Guber: Tribunal Sacks Gov Yusuf, Declares APC’s Gawuna Winner

    *Judges Deliver Judgement Via Zoom 

    The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 election.

    Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    While Nasir Gawuna, his APC counterpart congratulated him, the party proceeded to court.

    On Wednesday, the three-man panel ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return which INEC presented to Governor Yusuf and directed that a certificate of return be issued to Gawuna.

    The court deducted 165,663 votes from Gov Yusuf total as invalid votes, stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid. 

    Meanwhile, the Tribunal Judges were not physically in court.

    Journalists, lawyers, party members and many others were denied access into the court.

    Reports had it that the Secretariat had said there would be no live broadcast of the judgment and that the few journalists admitted into the court would not make use of smartphones or cameras.

    Top security officials had earlier said that they did not know the whereabouts of the judges and that it was possible that the proceeding would be virtual.

    When the proceedings commenced before 10, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, Chairman of the three-member panel, spoke via Zoom.

    It was unclear why the judges were not in court, but there have been allegations and counter allegations against the panel.

    It was reported that the former Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, had asked the judges to choose between their lives and their work while delivering the judgement.

    “People voted for us and some people are attempting to do injustice. We want to tell the judges that we will not accept this. Any judge that is willing to deprive us of our rights will regret it. Whatever will happen, we won’t care…,” he had said during a protest organised by members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state.

    His comment had triggered backlash, leading to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf sacking him.

  • Peter Obi Flags Off Labour Party Campaign In Bayelsa

    Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 Presidential election, has flagged off campaigns for the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Bayelsa, with an assurance that the party will be victorious.

    Obi, who spoke in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, alongside the National Chairman of LP, Mr Julius Abure, to flag-off the governorship campaign of Mr Udengs Eradiri, said that the party has overwhelming support base in the state coupled with its performance and excellence.

    Obi urged the people of Bayelsa to come out en mass and vote Eradiri as the next governor of the state on November 11.

    He said that the process that produced Eradiri as the party’s governorship candidate in the state was credible.

    He said: “what Nigeria is lacking is verification and that is one of its major problems. If you don’t know where you are coming from that means you don’t know where you are going to.

    “As I was coming from Port-Harcourt to Yenagoa, you will see poverty, Nigeria has failed Bayelsa in 57 years after oil was discovered.

    “After Sokoto as the poorest state, then Bayelsa is the next. The state suffered from one of the worst flooding incidents last year, since the history of Nigeria.”

    National chairman, Abure, said he was confident that LP would form the next government in Bayelsa.

    He said that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed Nigerians and the people of the state in particular.

    He said: “We will change the economic narratives of Bayelsa state. Eradiri is the only governorship candidate of Labour Party in Bayelsa state.

    “LP is founded on integrity, performance. PDP and APC have failed. We have tried PDP and APC and they failed.

    “Their results are insecurity, poverty and infrastructural decay. Labour party has come to change the narratives. Vote Udengs Eradiri, vote LP come November 11,” he said.

    Speaking after the party’s flag was handed over to Eradiri, the governorship candidate of the party, promised to fix the state if he wins the governorship election.

    He said his programme is to engage the people but not about making noise but to reach out to the people in the rural areas to let them know his ambition.

    Eradiri promised not to play politics with the development of Bayelsa, but will ensure they have a better life if he is elected governor.

    He said that he has held various positions from the grassroots, state government level and at national level, promising that his experience in those places will position him to solve problems in Bayelsa state.

  • Atiku Approaches Supreme Court, Seeks Nullification Of Tribunal Verdict

    Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has escalated his legal battle by approaching the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court.

    The move comes after the petition court, on September 6, upheld the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the 2023 presidential election.

    Atiku’s Notice of Appeal, consisting of 35 grounds, asserts that the tribunal’s judgment, delivered by Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, was marred by serious errors and a miscarriage of justice.

    These errors and mis-judgments, according to Atiku’s lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, warrant the Supreme Court’s intervention to rectify the situation.

    The Notice of Appeal seeks to have the Supreme Court set aside the entire findings and conclusions of the tribunal, as Atiku believes they do not accurately represent the substance of his petition.

    One of the key arguments put forth by the former Vice President is that the Tribunal erred in law by failing to nullify the presidential election conducted on February 25, 2023.

    This non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, is alleged to be rooted in INEC’s conduct of the election, which, according to evidence presented to the tribunal, was characterized by grave and gross misrepresentation.

    This misrepresentation is deemed contrary to the principles outlined in the Electoral Act 2022 and runs counter to the “doctrine of legitimate expectation.”

    Atiku’s appeal to the Supreme Court signals his determination to exhaust all legal avenues available to challenge the tribunal’s judgment and contest the declaration of Tinubu as President by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

  • Appeal Court Sacks Ndudi Elumelu, Declares Okolie Winner 

    The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, has sacked the Peoples Democratic Party PDP’s candidate, Ndudi Elemelu as the winner in the recent election for the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State.

    The Appellate Court, by its ruling, overturned the July 24 ruling by the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal in Asaba, which ruled in favour of Ndudi Elumelu.

    Consequently, the appellate court declared Ngozi Okolie of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of the election.

    The appeal court, in its judgement faulted the tribunal for voiding Okolie’s election, adding that the Labour Party candidate resigned his appointment as a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Government as required by the Constitution.

    The Court of Appeal agreed with lawyer to the Labour Party, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) that contrary to the finding of the tribunal, Okolie was duly nominated and sponsored by his party.

  • Hope For Banky W As Tribunal Orders Rerun in Eti-Osa, Lagos Federal Constituency

    The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal which convened at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos has rendered the election victory of Mr. Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party for the Eti Osa Federal Constituency null and void.

    In a pivotal judgment delivered late on Monday evening, the tribunal deemed the elections inconclusive and mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a supplementary election within a 90-day timeframe.

    This supplementary election is to be conducted in 33 polling units where the elections failed to proceed as planned.

    Responding to the ruling on Tuesday through a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Atta conveyed that there was no need for alarm. He clarified that he had not been “sacked” by the court, but rather, the Tribunal had merely called for a re-run or supplementary election in the 32 polling units where the election process had been disrupted. He reassured the constituents that he remained unwavering in his commitment to serve Eti Osa and encouraged them to remain calm, stating, “We will get through this together.”

    Bankole Wellington (commonly known as Banky W) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had been declared the runner-up in the original polls, and Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro (IBO) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) had both lodged petitions contesting the outcome of the February 25th election. In that initial election, INEC had declared Atta the winner with 24,075 votes, while Banky W and IBO were reported to have garnered 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.

  • Atiku rejects Tribunal verdict, vows to pursue legal appeal

    In a significant development following the judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Court on the 2023 presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar held a press conference to share his official reaction.

    Atiku, reknowned for his history of political legal battles, in a press conference held earlier today, addressed the world regarding Wednesday’s judgment, emphasizing his faith in the judiciary, referring to it as the “sanctuary of justice.”

    The former Vice President expressed his decision to challenge the outcome of the presidential election following the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate were the winners.

    “My decision to go to court is anchored in my belief that the court is the sanctuary of justice. The journey of my political career holds so much to the courage and fearless decisions of our judiciary.”

    “The last presidential election in our country was heavily compromised by INEC and the judgment of the court as rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal yesterday, failed to restore confidence in our dreams of free and fair elections devoid of human manipulations,” Atiku said.

    According to Atiku, the court has a duty to address the issues arising from the last presidential election and to restore confidence in the electoral process.

    “My ultimate goal in this pursuit is to ensure that democracy is further strengthened through the principles and processes of fair hearing.”

    Though the judgment of the court yesterday is respected, it is a judgment that I refuse to accept. I refuse to accept the judgment because I believe that it is bereft of substantial justice,” he added.

    He expressed concerns about the management of the last presidential election by INEC, stating that it left behind unfavourable precedents and compromises to the transparency achieved through technology.

    He mentioned that the recent judgment failed to restore confidence in free and fair elections without human manipulations.

    He reiterated his ultimate goal in pursuing this legal battle, which is to strengthen democracy through the principles and processes of fair hearing. While he respected the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, he refused to accept it, believing it lacked substantial justice.

    Atiku announced that he had instructed his lawyers to activate his constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the Supreme Court, the higher court. He expressed his conviction that elections in Nigeria should be free from manipulations and should reflect the wishes of the electorate.

    In conclusion, Atiku urged his supporters to remain steadfast, drawing inspiration from the late Shehu Yar’Adua’s teachings that losing a battle is less important than losing the war. He added that he remains committed to the cause of credible elections in Nigeria and expressed confidence in the ultimate victory of restoring confidence in the electoral system.

  • Obi/Abure petition meant to defraud LP of $15m, N12bn -Apapa

    *Says LP accepts Tribunal ruling

    Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, the leader of a faction within the Labour Party, has responded to the Presidential Election tribunal’s verdict, alleging that the petition by its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was an attempt to defraud the party of substantial funds.

    Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, conveyed the party’s reaction to the tribunal’s ruling. He expressed disappointment that Peter Obi’s legal team had not provided proper advice before pursuing the case.

    While the Labour Party accepts the tribunal’s verdict without bias, Arabambi described the entire process as a waste of time. He criticized Peter Obi for failing to fund the party adequately to engage the required polling agents, as well as for filing witnesses outside the stipulated time.

    Arabambi further claimed that Peter Obi’s motive for going to the tribunal was to justify the money collected during the campaign, suggesting that the funds were corruptly misappropriated. He accused Obi of failing to convince the tribunal of the polling units where he was allegedly rigged out.

    Arabambi pointed out that the tribunal ruled against Obi and the Labour Party, asserting that they did not sufficiently detail their allegations of corrupt practices and irregularities. The court rejected reports and documents, emphasizing that they were not properly tendered and were already submitted in a previous case.

    Regarding the requirement of securing 25% of the vote in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Arabambi highlighted the tribunal’s stance that Abuja is equal to every other state in Nigeria, and residents do not have special privileges.

    In conclusion, Arabambi accepted the tribunal’s verdict and expressed the party’s commitment to reevaluating their approach moving forward.