Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief, Benin

 

THE Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin, the Edo State capital, has received five petitions at the expiration of the deadline in the night of October 10.

The petitions are seeking the nullification of the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The petitioners urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a fresh election that should exclude the PDP, Obaseki and Shaibu.

They said the party and its candidates should be disqualifies for alleged forgery of their certificates.

As at Friday afternoon, three petitions had been filed at the tribunal by the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate, Iboi Emmanuel; Action Peoples Party (APP), without joining its governorship candidate, Amos Areloegbe; and Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Ukonga Onaivi.

In the evening of last Friday, Allied Peoples Movement (APM) filed a petition excluding its governorship candidate, Igbineweka Osamuede.

It listed the INEC, PDP, Obaseki and Shaibu as respondents, while alleging irregularities in the September 19 governorship election.

The party added that Obaseki and Shaibu were not qualified to contest the poll.

APM alleged that the PDP candiates were not duly elected and/or returned by a majority of lawful votes cast.

According to the party, their election, declaration and return should be declared null  void and of no effect whatsoever, while the Certificates of Return given to them by INEC should be nullified.

APM also prayed for an order nullifying the governorship election of September 19, 2020, in Edo State for substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the extant Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, thereby ordering a fresh election.

On Saturday, the last day for filing petitions, Tracy Agol, who hails from Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, filed a petition without joining her political party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), with INEC, PDP and Obaseki as respondents.

But she insisted that the governor was not qualified to contest the September 19 election.

Agol’s sole ground for filing the petition was that Obaseki, at the time of the poll, was not qualified to contest the election.

She quoted Section 138 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, alleging that the governor presented forged/false certificate to INEC, contrary to Section 182 (1) (J) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.

The NNPP’s governorship candidate also prayed for an order to compel INEC to conduct a fresh election involving all the qualified candidates, excluding PDP and Obaseki, whom she alleged were constitutionally disqualified from contesting the 2020 governorship election.

She said the Certificate of Return INEC issued to Obaseki must also be nullified.

Agol, alternatively, sought a declaration that Obaseki’s participation in the election should be declared null and void, having participated in the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and later PDP, in respect of the same governorship election in the state.

APP, in the petition against Obaseki, PDP and INEC as respondents, claimed that it was unlawfully excluded from the poll.

AA and its governorship candidate, in the petition against Obaseki, PDP and INEC (respondents), claimed that Onaivi was also excluded unlawfully, despite being the validly-nominated candidate of the party, in line with the Electoral Act.

Read Also: Expectations from Obaseki

APP (without its candidate) and AA (with its governorship candidate) prayed the tribunal to nullify the September 19 governorship election in Edo State and organise a fresh election within 90 days.

The prayed the tribunal to ensure that AA’s validly-nominated candidate (Onaivi) and APP should be included in the new ballot papers.

In the first petition, ADP and its governorship candidate, with INEC, PDP, Obaseki, APC and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as respondents, prayed the tribunal to disqualify Obaseki for his “controversial” first degree certificate from the University of Ibadan (UI) and nullify the votes cast for him, thereby ordering INEC to conduct a fresh election involving all other qualified governorship candidates, excluding PDP and Obaseki.

Judges of the tribunal, when inaugurated, will sit at the Edo State High Court in Benin.

Our reporter was at the tribunal venue yesterday to get details of the filed petitions, but only the cover pages were on display.

The Secretary to the tribunal, Sunday Martins, later sent the details to The Nation through WhatsApp.

Martins also told our reporter through that the respondents in the various petitions would have 21 days, from the dates of filing the petitions by the petitioners, to respond to the petitions/allegations, after which the inaugural sitting of the tribunal would be held.

 

 

 

Nwanosike Onu, Awka

 

A MEMBER of an alleged armed robbery syndicate terrorizing the Isiagu area in Awka South local government area of Anambra State has been killed by the police in the state

Other suspected members of the gang ran into the bush when they engaged members of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and vigilance men in a gun duel.

The incident happened at the Isiagu Ring Road in Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State at 9pm on Friday.

The Nation gathered that the suspects numbering over six had robbed three occupants of a black Accura Legend car with registration number SMK878GL of their valuables at gun point.

The State Police Public Relation’s Officer, PPRO, Mohammed Haruna, confirmed this.

He said the command got to know the robbery operation through a distress call and swung into action immediately.

Read Also: Police rescue newborn in Anambra

Haruna said efforts were still on by the command to apprehend the other suspects on the run, assuring residents not to panic.

He said: “Following the distress call, police operatives quickly responded.

“As soon as the suspected armed robbers sighted the police, they engaged them into a fierce gun battle, forcing the hoodlums to jettison the robbery operation and scamper into the bush for safety. During the gun duel, one of the gang members, whose identity is yet unknown was fatally wounded”.

“The injured suspect was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but certified dead on arrival and his corpse deposited in the mortuary”

He said the bush where the suspects ran into  had been cordoned off by the police.

“Effort is being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects believed to have sustained gunshots during the encounter.”

Haruna appealed to the residents to report to the nearest police station, any person with bullet injuries to enable the command ascertain the circumstances surrounding the injuries.

 Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

 

THE Bayelsa State Government has announced its plan to establish a psychiatric hospital to adequately take care of people with mental disabilities.

The move, according to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele, will help rid the streets of Yenagoa and its environs of mentally challenged people.

Igwele spoke yesterday during a meeting with members of the Standard and Ethics Committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter.

He described as an eyesore the number of mentally sick persons roaming the streets, saying it was not befitting for a state like Bayelsa that regularly plays host to dignitaries and major events.

Igwele restated the state government’s commitment to eliminate quackery from the nursing profession in the state, and applauded his guests for imbibing the spirit of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Read Also: Appeal Court reverses Diri’s sack as Bayelsa governor

While sharing instances of Bayelsans who have died as a result of quackery, the commissioner urged members of the committee to go around health facilities for routine checks to confirm the professionalism of nurses.

In her remarks, the Director of Nursing Services in the ministry, Mrs. Cynthia Boufini, said Bayelsa would soon commence ‘The Year of the Nurse 2020’ which would play a pivotal role in improving nursing services in the state.

She appealed for the upgrade of the State School of Nursing into a College of Nursing to better serve the needs of scholars in the state.

The representative of psychiatric nurses in the state, Mrs. Efuwa Agbana, expressed her delight that the government had already begun working on establishing a psychiatric hospital.

She lauded government’s effort at giving attention to the need of nurses in the state and called for more attention to be paid to people who sell illicit drugs in the state which is also responsible for increasing crime rates.

Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

 

THE Commandant, Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Vincent Ogu, has charged personnel of the agency to redouble their efforts towards delivering quality security services to the good people of the state.

Ogu stated this after taking over from his predecessor, Barr. Nwannukwu Nnamdi,  as the new commandant of the agency.

Ogu ordered the immediate deployment of the command’s tactical teams to strategic locations across the state with special attention to flashpoints, schools, recreation/event centres, markets and motor parks to ensure adequate protection of lives and property.

The new commandant, who pledged to work with the state government and  collaborate with other sister security agencies in the state, urged the general public to provide timely and adequate information to security agencies to sustain the relative peace in the state.

Read Also: Katsina NSCDC receives 795 cases

The new commandant shortly after assuming office embarked on “A Show of Force Exercise” across the state.

The move, according to him, was in line with the belief that the regular presence of security personnel around strategic places in the state would not only scare away criminals from carrying out their nefarious activities, but would also reassure the general public of the readiness of the command to make a quick intervention in the event of any untoward development.

Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

 

THE Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) Worldwide has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for giving them the Onitsha Dry Sea Port in Anambra State which was first promised 42 years ago.

The OYC, in a statement jointly signed by its President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the development as a positive one in the right direction.

The Igbo youth group, which said it witnessed the flag-off of the Pilot Barge Operations from Onitsha River Port to Onne, thanked both President Buhari and Amaechi for the historic feat as it would enhance the economic growth  of the region.

The group noted that the number of heavy-duty trucks on the road would be minimized with the Onitsha port becoming operational.

He, therefore, called on Igbo businessmen to make adequate use of the Onne Port, as barge operators would convey containers to Onitsha port.

Read Also: Buhari reappoints Shuaib as CEO of NPHCDA

The group also called on the Abia State government to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Transport to see how they can actualize commencement of operation in Owerrinta Dry Sea Port, Isiala Ngwa South, Abia State, for the benefit of Igbo businessmen residing in Aba and Owerri environs.

“We are aware that Abia State Government and Federal Ministry of Transport are in touch, and hopefully it will be another developmental stride of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in the Southeast.”

Our Reporter

 

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Saturday attended the monthly local government meetings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in some council areas of the state unscheduled to identify, appreciate and inspire party members and teeming supporters.

Addressing party members at the meetings, Gov. Ugwuanyi appreciated God for His protection, mercy and kindness throughout the peak of coronavirus, stressing that “we have come here to thank God for our life and health”.

The governor, who maintained that the PDP in Enugu State under his watch is very strong, told the jubilant party faithful that “we are not taking your support for our party for granted”.

Gov. Ugwuanyi urged PDP members in the state to continue to keep faith with the party’s ideals, reiterating his administration’s commitment to sustain the tempo of peace, security and good governance in the state.

While expressing delight at the enthusiasm of members of the party at the various local government party offices he visited for the meetings, the governor thanked God for the existing peace and unity in the PDP family in the state, disclosing that his administration is devising a means to appreciate and recognize those who have not been recognized.

Read Also: Ebeano family endorses Ugwuanyi as leader

Receiving the governor, the enthusiastic party members reassured him of their total support and loyalty, commending his uncommon leadership qualities that have entrenched peace, security, good governance and participatory democracy in Enugu State.

The governor visited party offices in Enugu South, Enugu North and Enugu East local government areas, among others.

 

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called for a review of the current revenue allocation formula in favour of states and local governments.

He said a review became imperative to reflect the current socio-economic realities in the country.

The governor spoke on Thursday when he hosted the National Executive Council (NEC) members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), led by their National President, Mr. Kolade Alabi, in Asaba, the state capital.

The governor said states currently face huge financial responsibilities, same with local governments.

He said the local government administration was growing and that “it is our hope that we get them stabilised financially so that they can impact on the lives of our people”.

Okowa added: “I believe that local government administration must be autonomous. Here in Delta State, we have never tampered with their funds. Rather, we assist them and provide bailout funds for them on a monthly basis to augment their payment of salaries.

Read Also: Okowa lauds Buhari for railways development

“We have generally as a nation made local government administration take up serious responsibilities, like payment of their workers and primary school teachers’ salaries without providing the necessary funds for them.

“We need to have a re-work of the revenue allocation formula because none of the arms of government should shy away from that.

“We need to be able to provide funding so that they can reach out to the people and the people will feel their impact.

“The Federal Government is an important tier of government but they can’t perform well in terms of reaching out to the various communities because of the issues of monitoring and evaluation.

“There is a need to rework the laws of this nation in such a way that we are able to redirect governance the way it ought to be done.”

Alabi said the group was in Delta State for its NEC meeting and that it chose the state in recognition of its sterling accomplishments of the governor in local government administration.