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Tag: Anambra poll

  • Anambra poll: Buhari has no anointed candidate – Shettima

    Anambra poll: Buhari has no anointed candidate – Shettima

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, said on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari does not have anointed candidate for the Anambra State governorship election.

    The governor assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary slated for Saturday would be free and fair.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Joint Security Agencies in the state and the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Garba Baba Umar, has told the aspirants that the joint security team would not hesitate to deal with anybody that tries to cause trouble during the primary election.

    The police commissioner said he was aware that some of the aspirants had imported or planned to import hoodlums to the state, adding that security operatives are equal to the task of ensuring hitch-free exercise.

    “This APC primary is family affair. We have enough security personnel to deal with anybody or group and anybody who has thugs should make sure they stay 200-300 meters away from the designated centers of the primary,” he said.

     

  • APC clears Ubah, 11 others for Anambra election

    APC clears Ubah, 11 others for Anambra election

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday cleared all the 12 aspirants to participate in the Anambra State governorship primary.

    The party holds its governorship primary on August 19.

    The Chairman of the APC screening panel, Agboola Ajayi, said all the 12 aspirants are eligible to participate in the exercise

    Ajayi, who is also Ondo State deputy governor, spoke while presenting his committee’s report in Abuja.

    He said all the aspirants are capable of representing APC in the November 18 governorship election in the state.

    He said the aspirants complied with the guidelines and promised to support whoever emerge the party’s candidate for the governorship election.

    The party’s National Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso, who received the report, congratulated the aspirants for qualifying to participate in the primary.

    He also commended the aspirants for their maturity, saying “so far we have not received any report of violence among all the aspirants. We urge you to carry on and we are very hopeful that one of you will eventually emerge the next governor of Anambra State.”

    Speaking with journalists after he was cleared for the primary, Senator Andy Uba assured that he would remain with the APC irrespective of the primary election’s outcome.

    He said Governor Willie Obiano “must park his load and go because APC will win Anambra.”

    “We have all signed an undertaking to support whoever wins at the primary,” he said.

  • Anambra poll: PDP bars aspirant over dual citizenship

    Anambra poll: PDP bars aspirant over dual citizenship

    … Clears Oduah, Ubah, Ikpeazu, others

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has barred Mr. Akolisa Ufodike from participating in the Anambra State governorship primary election for holding Nigerian and Canadian citizenships.

    The party, however, cleared a serving senator, Stella Oduah, oil magnate, Dr. Patrick Ubah and House of Representatives member, Lynda Ikpeazu for the governorship primary.

    A former Minister of State, John Okechukwu Emeka and Dr. Alex Obiogolu were also cleared by the party.

    However, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze’s clearance was put on hold pending the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) approval of his waiver application.

    The Chairman of the screening committee, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, who addressed journalists on the outcome of the exercise, said Ufodike was barred based on the provision of Section 182(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

    According to Waziri, the said provision made it explicitly clear that anyone aspiring to become a governor of a state must hold only a Nigerian citizenship.

    Other elective offices affected by the provision included the President, Vice President, deputy governors and members of National and state Assemblies.

     

  • Anambra poll: Court refuses to hear motion seeking to stop Nwoye

    Anambra poll: Court refuses to hear motion seeking to stop Nwoye

    A move to stop Mr. Tony Nwoye from participating in the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the Anambra State governorship election failed yesterday.

    Vacation judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Yusuf Halilu, declined to hear a motion ex-parte filed to that effect.

    The motion ex-parte filed by Okechukwu Ogbonnaya contained seven prayers, particularly prayer 6, for an order of interim injunction restraining the APC from “from clearing the 1st defendant (Nwoye) to contest or stand for its primary elections for the purposes of selecting the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    Although the case was listed in the court’s cause list for yesterday, the judge declined   to hear the applicant’s lawyer, who had sought the hearing of the ex-parte motion on grounds of urgency. The judge said there was no urgency to warrant the hearing of the motion.

    Ogbonnaya listed as defendants in the suit Nwoye, Chief    Arthur Eze, Atlas Petroleum International ltd, Oranto Petroleum Ltd, Fidelity Bank Plc, APC and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  He is challenging, among others, the propriety of the alleged donations by Eze and others, to Nwoye’s governorship ambition.

    Nwoye has however challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit, arguing that the subject matter of the suit relates to Anambra governorship election, on which a court in Abuja cannot hear. He asked the court to strike out the case.

    Alternatively, he asked the court to order the plaintiff to put the defendants “on notice of prayers 3, 4, 5, and 7 in the motion ex parte filed on 31st July, 2017 to enable the 1st defendant (Nwoye) to be heard on those prayers as those reliefs are targeted at stifling the exercise of the constitutional right of the 1stdefendant to contest for the Anambra State governorship election.”

  • Anambra poll: Tension over curious suit in FCT High Court over Uba’s certificate

    A few months to the governorship election in Anambra State, there was tension yesterday about a curious application before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, seeking to disqualify Senator Andy Uba (Anambra South Senatorial District) as a candidate.

    The plaintiff, Uchenna Nnadi, is asking the court to declare that Uba has no School Certificate and could not stand for governorship poll.

    Some stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State faulted the filing of the application before the FCT High Court instead of Anambra State High Court.

    They alleged that the suit was a plot to give clearance to Uba through FCT High Court ahead of the party’s primaries.

    The matter, which was filed on June 5, 2017 is due for hearing by Justice Valentine Ashi of the FCT High Court on Friday.

    They alleged that a similar matter was pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja on the purported forgery of School Certificate.

    They said the FCT High Court should not have entertained a fresh application on the same issue.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC)  has approved November 18 for the conduct of the Anambra governorship election.

    But ahead of the poll, Nnadi approached the court seeking a declaration that Uba was not educated to School Certificate level.

    Nnadi asked the court to determine the following issues.

    “Whether by the combined effect of the mandatory  constitutional  provisions of Section 65(2)(a) and 177(d) of the Constitution of  the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(As amended) purported subsisting election of the defendant as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as his previous election into the office of Governor of Anambra State when he is not educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent is not null, void , illegal unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.

    “Whether in view of the mandatory constitutional provisions of Section 66(l)(i) of the Constitution of  the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(As amended), the purported election of the defendant as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by reason of his presenting forged School Certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) claiming to have been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

    “Whether in view of the  mandatory  constitutional  provisions of Section 182(I)(J) of the Constitution of  the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(As amended), the defendant having presented forged certificate to INEC claiming to have been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent, is not disqualified and ineligible to be elected into the office of the Governor of Anambra State or any other election in Nigeria.

    In the most likely event that this Honourable Court finds for the Plaintiff, he seeks the following reliefs

    • A declaration that the defendant is not educated up to School Certificate level and presented a forged School Certificate purportedly qualifying him as such and therefore not qualified or eligible to stand for National Assembly election, Governor ship election in Anambra State or any other election in Nigeria.
    • A declaration that the election of the defendant as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as his previous election into the office of Governor of Anambra State is null, void, illegal unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever as he was not educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
    • A declaration that the defendant presented forged School Certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) claiming to have been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent, consequently his election as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is null, void, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.
    • A declaration that the defendant presented forged certificate to INEC claiming to have been educated to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent, consequently he is not qualified or eligible to contest for or to be elected into the office of the Governor of Anambra State or any other election in Nigeria.

    A spokesman for the stakeholders, Mr. Greg Udebidia said: “We want the FCT Chief Judge to take a second look at this case because it is suspect. The FCT High Court should not be used for a predetermined agenda.

    “We are suspecting that Uba must have been the plaintiff by proxy and at the same time the defendant in the matter filed at the FCT high Court.

    “There is a pending matter before the Federal High Court, Abuja on the same certificate forgery.  Why can’t the Distinguished Senator allow the ongoing court process to run its course? They want to use the FCT High Court to scuttle the case before the Federal High Court.”

  • Anambra poll: Can Nwoye succeed Obiano?

    Anambra poll: Can Nwoye succeed Obiano?

    In this piece, Dr Peter Ekweme states that the pedegree of the aspirants will determine how far they can go in the party primaries and the governorship election in Anambra State.

    It is laughable that rivals could resort to the gutter to press against the front line governorship aspirant for the upcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election, Comrade Dr Tony Okey Nwoye. The online rant by one Aniagbaso is even more so.
    In this era of social media, misfits sit in the dark corners of their dark rooms and from their disturbed dark minds spew forth unfounded lies which the undiscerning and unsuspecting can fall for, hence my decision to put down these clarifications for record purposes as a concerned citizen of Anambra State who has a duty of patriotism to tell the truth as he knows it.
    Firstly, only the uninformed will consider that crap about Tony ever being linked to the horrible murder of Barrister Igwe and his wife. As at that time, young Tony was still far away from Anambra State politics. He was not even remotely involved. For such a high profile case, it is instructive that NEVER had Tony’s name ever been linked to that despicable crime. And he has run for the House of Representatives twice and was the governorship candidate of a major political party. Not once did this come up! The little matter of the confessant not being able to correctly name such a close buddy, consistently writing ‘Nwonye’ instead of ‘Nwoye’ readily gives the faceless con artist away for what he is – a very cheap scammer.
    But the one that takes the cake in that incongruous litany of fables is the allegation that Tony Nwoye belonged to a cult group while in school. Nothing can be further from the truth. Tony Nwoye had his university education in University of Nigeria (both Nsukka and Enugu campuses), and Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. These are public institutions whose records the public can readily avail themselves of. Not for once was he ever accused from any quarters of belonging to a cult group. Not even the authorities he severally stood up against could trump up such charges against him.
    The records of the universities’ security departments can readily be referred to and cross checked for this. Those at the helm of the schools he attended are all still alive and can be reached to get a clarification on Tony’s antecedents in school, even a characterisation of his persona. Tony NEVER was a member of any cult group! If anything, he deployed his time as a student leader both at the Enugu campus of UNN and much latter, at the national level (NANS) to campaign against cultism and campus violence. The records are there for those interested in truth and facts!
    The other frivolities of kidnap, arson and their likes do not deserve any serious response. Anyone who knows Tony Nwoye can attest to the fact that his humaneness and innate detest for any form of oppression, repression and impugning on human dignity will never let him get involved in such acts. By his very nature, the Tony Nwoye I know so well simply cannot descend that low. I was in College of Medicine, University of Nigeria with Tony Nwoye at about the same time (I was a class ahead of him). We were active in the politics of University of Nigeria Medical Students Association (UNMSA). We were together in the Students Union Government House of Representatives. We even contested against each other for the Speakership of the SUG House of Representatives.
    It is the stock in trade of dirty politics to try to impugn the character of adversaries but there is limit below which any self respecting politician should never descend. Fabrication of such wicked outright lies against an opponent this early in the contest will do the fabricator no good. The candidates should stick to issues, and there are many! We want to hear of their solutions to the myriads of problems confronting our dear state, Anambra. We want to hear of their strides in their former or present positions towards improving the lot of the common Anambra man. They may do well to provide us with verifiable accounts of their personal efforts in their personal capacities towards alleviating the suffering of private citizens of Anambra – the indigent, the unemployed, the widows, the orphans, downtrodden women and neglected children.
    We want plans, initiatives, strategies and policy proposals; not poorly crafted lies,  baseless propaganda and cheap blackmails. That crap by the faceless Anagbaso belongs to the latter. Because it is incoherent, facts challenged and downright pedestrian, it is, as Shakespeare would say, nothing but *”a tale told by an idiot – full of sound and fury but signifying nothing.”*
    It shall be well with Anambra State.
    Indeed, it MUST be well with Anambra state.
    God bless Nigeria ©

    C. Ekwueme is the Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State branch.

  • Anambra poll: APC ‘ll not field charlatan, says aspirant Nwibe

    Anambra poll: APC ‘ll not field charlatan, says aspirant Nwibe

    • Aspirant says APGA is fraud

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Anambra State Chief Bart Nwibe has unfolded his plan for the state, promising to make it an oil and gas state.
    He highlighted the urgent challenges confronting the state, including lack of industries, lack of investment, youth unemployment and bad leadership, assuring that the state will bounce back under an APC administration.
    Nwibe told reporters in Lagos that charlatans were scheming to hijack the party, following their defection from the discredited Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that they were planning to use their ill-gotten wealth in the last 16 years to buy the ticket.
    He said neither the APGA nor the PDP and its agents in search of new platforms can salvage Anambra, urging the APC to be weary of wealthy politicians without reputation.
    The engineer-turned politician lamented what he described as the “big failure of leadership in the Southeast, which has translated into youth restiveness,” adding that some idle leaders sat comfortably at home deluding themselves into thinking that someone in Lagos was deporting Igbos.
    He lamented that the strength of many Southeast politicians lied in their money, instead of the power of ideas.
    Describing himself as a man of integrity and ideas, Nwibe said: “My background has prepared me for leadership. I have touched lives without making noise. I have been consistent and made impact in the defunct CAN and the APC.”
    The aspirant chided defectors who wanted to change platform to contest election, saying that the APC should stop the charlatans from polluting the political environment.
    He added: “The defectors do not believe in democracy. They are coming to a new environment. You don’t come to pollute the environment. Those offering themselves for leadership should be scrutinized. We cannot leave the contest to charlatans.”
    Nwibe said Anambra youths lacked role models to inspire and motivate them, pointing out that they should be inducted into the culture of hard work and imbibe proper education.
    He said Anambra businessmen who have capital have refrained from investing in the state because of lack of electricity.
    The aspirants noted that only serious people can genuinely aspire to serve as governor in this period of recession when there is no free money coming from the Federation Account.
    He said: “The money is not coming as it used to come. Oil boom is gone. So, anybody who wants to govern should think outside the box. People now have to look for the natural resources in their states to develop he states. “
    Nwibe, who acknowledged that Governor Willy Obiano has done well in the area of security by stopping kidnapping, said he has failed in other areas, owing to his disruption of the town unions and the traditional institution.
    He stressed: “This is a great disservice to our people. Obiano’s agenda was “continue, complete and commission.” He has not created employment for youths. Education is in chaos. No elected local council. He built a bridge which defaced the state capital. Obiano is parochial in his appointments. We should bring merit back.”
    Nwibe said the APGA will not be able to invoke the memory of its founder, Chief Emeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, saying that the party had derailed. He also warned against rigging, saying that it is prohibited in this new era of the rule of law and sanitized electoral process.
    Nwide added: “APGA was a fraud. It was formed to enter an alliance with the PDP by not presenting a presidential candidate so that it could limit its participation to the governorship and parliamentary elections. Peter Obi signified APGA. The soul of APGA is gone. Even, religious now understand the situation. Even, Ikemba’s wife is not happy the way APGA is being run.
    “Ojukwu did not join a tribal party when he came back from exile. He supported APGA because of the abradacabra in the PDP. But, his vision has been distorted in APGA.”

  • Anambra poll: 15 battle for governorship in APC

    Anambra poll: 15 battle for governorship in APC

    No fewer than 15 chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are warming up for the governorship primary in Anambra State. EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the battle for the ticket.

    Politics is in the air in Anambra State. Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, aspirants are intensifying their consultations with stakeholders in their bid to secure the ticket.
    Governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is serving his first tenure.But, there are indications that he will be seeking another term.
    APC aspirants include Dr. Tony Nwoye; the 2010 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, former PDP governorship aspirant Dr. Obinna Uzor, former governor and two time senator on the platform of the PDP, Andy Uba, Chief George Moghalu, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, Chief Chike Obidigbo; Barth Nwibe; Obinna Onunkwo; Chief Ralph Okeke; Paul Chukwuma and Prince Donatus Okonkwo.
    The chairman of APC, Emeka Ibe described, them as eminently qualified and capable of wresting power from Obiano in the November poll.
    Both new and old members of the APC, Ibe added, have equal opportunities and chances of flying the party’s flag, going by the APC constitution.
    “The APC constitution is silent on new members, on whether they should be given waiver or not, but the national leadership of the party gives guidelines on the primaries. So, both new and old members have equal status in the party,” he said, adding that the party would not adopt zoning to pick its flagbearer.
    The development has led to serious campaigns in the APC. But, not many of the gladiators have the chance of picking the ticket.

    Moghalu
    The National Auditor of the ruling APC, according to media reports, joined the race following pressure from his associates.
    They urged him to join the governorship race to bring to bear his wealth of experience in the governance of the state.
    Many groups cited what they see as outstanding qualities in the APC chieftain to include his consistency and commitment in party politics that have endeared him to many since the return of democracy in 1999.
    They admire the fact that he stayed within the opposition, which saw him sticking to All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), until metamorphosis into the APC.
    The Anambra Upfront Alliance spokesman, Ekeh Charles, said Moghalu contributed to the building of the APC from the scratch to its present status.
    “We know him to be a tested technocrat of the first order,well cultured and coolheaded to lead Anambra State in discovering her abundant potentials”, he said.
    Muoghalu was the All Peoples’ Party, (APP) governorship candidate in 2003. The poll was won by the PDP and later, APGA at the Election Tribunal.

    Uba
    He represented Anambra South Senatorial zone on the platform of the PDP for two terms. He announced his defection to the APC at a news briefing February 1, in his home country, Uga, Aguata Local Government Area.
    He said he joined the APC at the ongoing registration of party members, adding that APC has ideology and focus which he needed to provide quality representation to his constituents. Other personalities in the party with sound ideas and whom he looks up to in politics also motivated his decision to join the APC. These include the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and Muoghalu. He urged other Igbo politicians to join the bandwagon.
    Analysts argue that Ubahas left clear and positive prints on the sands of time and the paths, which led to his many accomplishments, are uncomplicated and straightforward.
    Apart from his welfare programmes which he has personally sponsored as senator, the aspirant has the experience to serve as governor, having been there before.
    As a two-time senator, Uba attracted a lot of goodwill from the federal government to the state. He employed the instrument of regular interaction with his constituents to identify their needs and worked towards achieving them.
    Born December 14, 1958, Uba was elected Senator for the Anambra Southin April 2011. He was running on the PDP platform. He defected to the APC weeks back.The leadership crises engulfing the PDP motivated.
    In 2007, Uba competed successfully in the PDP primary and he was elected. However, the former governor, Peter Obi, challenged the election, saying that because the courts had only accepted that Obi had won the April 2003 elections on March 15, 2006, he still had his four-year term to serve.
    The odds favour him to pick the APC ticket.

    Nwoye
    Born a twin in Onitsha, September 13, 1974, Nwoye hails from Offianta Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area. No doubt, he has arise to the top echelon of the national politics and he has served in various capacities. He was a member, Presidential committee against Illegal arms and violent crimes, National Political Reform Conference, Federal committee on 2006 Census, Leader of the Nigerian delegation to the World Youth Summit in Venezuela and Non – Executive Director, Hadejia-Jamaare River Basin, Kano
    He is into construction, building and engineering endeavours and trustee of many NGOs.
    Beyond that, not much will be working in his favour as per experience in governance and rallying the politically enlightened people of Anambra state for governance.
    “He still needs to be tested and proven capable to administer the affairs of the statebecause as a wholly sophisticated people. You need to be well bred in our peculiar politics to venture to lead us,” said a top APC member.

    Uzoh
    Uzoh is Chairman of CUZ Group Limited. He was born March 17, 1963. He is a philanthropist.
    Uzoh has not devoted his time to business alone. He also found time to acquire academic laurels. He obtained B.Sc (Business Administration), University of Lagos; M.Sc (Marketing), University of Lagos; LLB, University of Lagos; B.L., Nigeria Law School and PhD (Economics), Lagos State University.
    An apostle of “politics without bitterness” and politics of consultation and accommodation, his campaign slogan is: Restoration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Anambra State.
    However, Uzoh, a former PDP member, who has made attempts in the past to get the ticket, has not been really tested in the murky waters of politics and his aspiration may not appeal to the APC and Anambra electorate at large.

    Soludo
    The eminent economist has clarified that he is not a member of the APC.
    Born July 28, 1960, Soludo is a professor of Economics and former Governor and Chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He was named Governor on May 29, 2004. He is also a member of the British Department for International Development’s International Advisory Group.
    In September 2009, Soludo announced his aspiration for the 2010 governorship.
    On October 9, 2009, the PDP chose Soludo as its consensus candidate among the 47 candidates, after repeated attempts to hold elective primary were stalled by court injunctions. However, his nomination was contested by 23 of the 47 aspirants, citing lack of transparency in the process. After the initial rancour, 36 aspirants and other top shots, affirmed their support for Soludo.
    However, Soludo lost to Peter Obi in an election which was largely considered free and fair, according to major election observers.
    However, with the perceived solid performance of Soludo as the CBN Governor, he remains a respected economic policy authority in Nigeria.
    On July17, 2013, Soludo resigned from the PDP after a letter to then National Chairman of the party, Alhaji BamangaTukur. He later joined the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in preparation for the November 2013 governorship race.

    Others
    From Chike Obidigbo through Barth Nwibe and Obinna Onunkwo to Chief Ralph Okeke; Paul Chukwuma and Ifeanyi Uba, a common string runs through their individual aspiration: not well tested in the unique politics of the APC, Anambra and the larger national picture.
    If the truth must be told, among the 13 aspirants, Soludo and Uba stand tall. But given his experience as senator, governor and politicking across the country, Uba could be the man the APC needs to fly its flag in the election.

  • Anambra poll: Court okays contempt proceedings against INEC chair Yakubu

    Anambra poll: Court okays contempt proceedings against INEC chair Yakubu

    •Form 48, other court papers to be served on commission’s chief

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has given Ejike Oguebego and Chuks Okoye, the Chairman and Legal Adviser of Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the green light to begin contempt proceedings against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    Oguebego and Okoye, who are suing for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Executive Committee of the PDP in Anambra State, are accusing Prof Yakubu of refusing to obey the December 5, 2015 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered by Justice Evoh Chukwu.

    Justice Chukwu, in the fifth order contained in the judgement, restrained INEC, its agents, among others, “from accepting or receiving any delegates’ list or nominated candidates that may emerge from the congresses or primaries conducted by the caretaker committee set up by the first defendant (PDP) for the Anambra PDP, except those that emanate from the plaintiffs”.

    Bothered by INEC’s alleged refusal to comply with the judgment, particularly the Fifth order, Oguebego and Okoye initiated contempt proceedings against the INEC chairman before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Last Friday (May 20), Justice John Tsoho (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) granted an order ex-parte for substituted service of processes in relation to the contempt proceedings, including Form 48, on Prof Yakubu.

    For service on the INEC chairman, Justice Tsoho directed the plaintiffs to serve the court processes, including Form 48 on “an adult person, staff or official at the Legal Department of INEC at 436 Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, being the usual place of business of the second respondent (Yakubu)”.

    On INEC, the judge ordered the services of all processes, including Form 46, “by delivering or leaving same at the Legal Department of INEC, the commission, having refused to accept service of same from the bailiffs of this honourable court”.

    The Form 48 issued by the court’s Registrar on March 31 is a notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court.

    It states: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the honourable court, attached to this Form (in particular, the Fifth order, restraining you from acting on any list of nominated candidates for the PDP in Anambra State in respect of Legislative seats for the 2015 general election, except those that emanated from the plaintiffs), you will be guilty of contempt of court, and you will be liable to be committed to prison.

    “Take further notice that if the INEC continues to disobey this order, you, Prof Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, will be held liable for contempt of court and liable to imprisonment.”

    Justice Tsoho adjourned further proceedings till May 27.

     

  • Anambra Poll Tribunal rejects video evidence

    Anambra Poll Tribunal rejects video evidence

    The Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka yesterday rejected the video evidence presented by African Independent Television (AIT) during the hearing of the petition filed by Senator Chris Ngige against INEC, Governor Willie Obiano and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

     The AIT was summoned by the Tribunal via a subpoena dated March 6 to give evidence in the case.

    But following the objection by Gboyega Awomolo (SAN) representing INEC, that the document could not be admitted in evidence because it had not satisfied Section 84 of the Evidence Act which deals with tendering of electronic evidence, it was not admitted by the Tribunal.

    Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for Ngige noted that the letter of authority from AIT together with the witness deposition contained in his evidence in chief had satisfied the provision of Section 84,  of the Evidence Act on materials produced with the aid of computers and yet has not contravened Section 258, Subsection 1A of the 2011 Evidence Act.

    The Tribunal ruled to reject the video evidence and the AIT reporter, Mr. Vin Martin Ilo, registered as PW19 was discharged.

    Another witness Bona Oraekwe identified 939 ‘Forms EC 17’ obtained from INEC  as having been used in the conduct of the elections. 86 Forms EC25A and 90 Forms EC25B,which were promptly admitted. Form EC 17 is the form documenting the oath taken by all INEC staff and adhoc staff involved in the elections, provided by law to be sworn to before engaging in any role in the elections. Form EC25A is the form documenting the receipt of electoral material in the state and local government areas, while ‘Forms EC 25B’ documents the receipt of materials by INEC staff in by INEC Presiding Officers in the Polling Units.

    Ngige and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are contending in the petition that most of the forms were either written and sworn to on a date after the elections or back-dated, while others contain irregularities. The sitting continues today.

    The Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal will today hear arguments in an interlocutory appeal brought before it by Senator Chris Ngige and the All Progressive Congress (APC), asking the appellate court to hold that the Anambra State Election petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka erred in law by failing to uphold the provision of Paragraph 12 Sub Paragraph 5 of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act in its ruling of February 18, 2014.

    This is one of the three appeals to be argued today.

    The others are seeking an order of the Appeal Court to restore the paragraphs of the petitioners election petition which were struck out by the Tribunal on February 28 as well as  the striking out, by the Tribunal, of some paragraphs of the petitioners reply to the Respondents answer on 5th March 2014.

    The Election Tribunal had on February 19 refused in part, an application filed by Ngige and APC requesting that all preliminary objections in the petition should be documented and reserved till the final address. Rather the Tribunal accepted the application with respect to applications seeking to strike out the entire petition for lack of competence, but refused it for application seeking to strike out some paragraphs.

    As at the ruling of February 19, there was no application seeking to strike out the entire petition of Ngige and APC,but there were applications  seeking to strike out some paragraphs.

    Ngige is querying what he and APC interpreted as discrimination by the Tribunal between full striking out and partial striking out.

    The appellants have requested the court to save and restore the paragraphs and order that hearing should be conducted by an impartial panel.

    The paragraphs struck out on February 28 and March 5 border on Chief Wille Obiano’s double registration allegations against a notary public who was appointed by INEC to administer oath of neutrality on ad-hoc staff long after the elections, allegations against INEC which pertain to the voter register given on October 16 2013 and November 13, 2014, which the successful application at the Tribunal claimed were pre-election matters.