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  • APC defiant as tribunal voids Oyetola’s election

    The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal yesterday voided the election of Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Party (APC) as governor of Osun State.

    In a two-to-one split decision by a three-man panel, the tribunal declared Senator Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him with a certificate of return.

    Justice Peter Obiora, who read the majority judgment on the petition by Adeleke and the PDP, held that the petitioners were able to prove their allegations of irregularities and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the conduct of the governorship election in Osun State on September 22 and 27, 2018.

    Justices Obiora and Anyinla Gbolagunte, in the majority judgment, held that the petitioners were able to prove irregularities in the results declared by INEC in relation to 17 polling units that cut across about five local government areas.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, however, disagreed with the two other judges and gave a minority judgment in which he dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petitioners failed to prove their case.

    Justice Obiora held in the majority judgment that the tribunal was left with no option but to believe that INEC altered results sheets from the 17 polling units after elections had been counted and party agents signed.

    He said the similarity in the alteration in the copies of the result sheets, which were not reflected in the pink copies issued to party agents, and the failure of INEC official to fill the first eight columns of the result sheets, betrayed a fraudulent intention on the party of INEC.

    Justice Obiora proceeded to cancel the results in the 17 polling units affected on the grounds that the petitioners did not only to prove that the non-compliance was substantial, but also that the non-compliance substantially affected the outcome of the election.

    The judge noted that in the 17 polling units, which was cancelled, the APC scored 2029 votes, while the PDP scored 1249 votes.

    Justice Obiora, also in the majority decision, voided the rerun election held on September 27, 2018.

    He held that the state returning officer, who announced the cancellation of election results in the seven polling units cutting across four local governments in which the rerun elections were held, acted outside his/her powers.

    Justice Obiora said a state returning officer has no power under any law to cancel an election and order a rerun.

    He then proceeded to deduct the results cancelled in the majority judgment from the total scores of both the APC and PDP both before and after the rerun election

    Justice Obiora said: “By our earlier calculation, the votes affected by non-compliance are: APC-2,029; PDP-1,246, which we hereby nullify.

    “If the above votes are deducted from the scores of the parties as at September 22, 2018 election, the stand of the parties will be as follows:

    “APC: 254,345 votes, minus 2,029 votes equals 252,315 votes. PDP: 264,698 votes, minus 1,246 votes, equals 253,452 votes.

    “If per chance, the rerun election is found to be valid, and the final scores of the parties declared after the rerun election of September 27, 2018 is allowed to stand, then deducting the votes that were found to be afflicted by non-compliance shall stand the parties in the following scores:

    “APC: 255,505 votes, minus 202,029 votes, equals 253,476 votes. PDP: 255,023 votes, minus the afflicted votes of non-compliance which is 1,246, will give us 253,777 votes.

    “In both situations, it is obvious that the petitioners won the election into the office of the Governor of Osun State.”

    Justice Obiora awarded N200,000 cost against the APC and Oyetola, in favour of the petitioners.

    Sirajo, in minority judgment, said the rerun election of 27th September 2018 was properly held.

    He noted that the petitioners failed to prove that election results were actually conducted in the seven polling units in which the rerun elections were held and that it was the state returning officer that cancelled the result.

    Sirajo also faulted the majority judgment position that the non-recording of accreditation and voting record in the result sheet substantially affected the outcome of the election.

    He held that under Section 140(2) of the Electoral Act, the tribunal lacked the powers to have deducted the cancelled votes and declare the petitioners winners.

    Justice Sirajo said: “It is the law that where there is no accreditation, the resultant votes are unlawful votes as the election itself is null and void.”

    “The legal implication of non-accreditation cannot be applied to the 23 polling units under consideration, in view of the abundant evidence of accreditation in all the 23 poling units through the affirmative evidence of the petitioner witnesses.

    “The non-filing of information in some portion of the result sheets were not sufficient to have prompted the tribunal to cancel the election in the 17 of the 23 polling units under review.

    “In this petition, it is not in dispute that about 90 per cent of the process involved in the conduct of election in a polling unit have been fully complied with. Voters were duly accredited before they cast their votes.

    “At the conclusion of voting, ballot papers were sorted out and counted. The presiding officers announced the votes scored by the parties, entered the figures in the result sheets and signed.

    “The parties’ agents counter-signed the result sheets and collected copies. The only non-compliance is that the collation officer did not record the column for accreditation and ballot accounting. There is no complaint that the poling units were afflicted by any other irregularities

    “I am satisfied that there is non-compliance by way of omission to record the columns accreditation and ballot accounting in the 23 polling units out of the total 3010 polling units. What then is the degree of non-compliance? Has it attained the degree of substantial non-compliance?

    “I hold that the omission to record the column of accreditation and ballot accounting in the result sheet does not amount to substantial non-compliance

    “Merely chorusing that the certified true copies of the result sheets were doctored, altered or mutilated, as did by the petitioners’ witnesses before the tribunal does not amount to demonstration of how the alleged non-compliance substantially affected the results of the election.

    “The net result of my analysis above is that the petitioners have failed to show how the non-compliance, with respect to the recording of the columns for accreditation and ballot accounting in 23 polling units substantially affected the results of the election in those polling units as to lead to their cancellation.

    “In the final analysis, I hold that this specie of non-compliance is not substantial, and even if it is substantial, it has not been proved that it substantially affected the result of the Osun State Governor’s election held on the 22nd September 2018 and 27th September 2018.

    “Let me conclude by saying that even if this specie of non-compliance is found to be substantial, as to substantially affect the results of the election, the tribunal does not have the power to subtract the votes affected by the non-compliance from the scores of the candidates and proceed to declare the candidate with the highest number of votes as the winner of the election. The tribunal does not have that power.

    “This my remark is informed by the provision of Section 140(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which gives the tribunal the power to only order a fresh or rerun election where non-compliance is established.

    “By no stretch of imagination or ingenuity of reasoning can a tribunal import the provision of section 140(3) of the Electoral Act into Section 140(2) of the same Act, where the proved electoral malfeasance is substantial non-compliance.

    “Where the allegation of non-compliance is proved, the tribunal is only permitted to nullify the election and order a supplementary election in order not to disenfranchise voters in the affected polling units in line with the principle of the Act.

    “I only need to add that the order for a supplementary election can only be made where it is expressly asked for.”

    He proceeded to dismiss the petition and awarded cost of N200,000 each in favour of the APC and Oyetola, against the petitioners.

  • APC applauds creation of LCDAs

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described as laudable the decision of the state government to create Local Council Development Authority (LCDA).

    According to the party, the importance of bringing government closer to the people, particularly in a developing setting, can not be over-emphasised.

    Speaking on behalf of the party, the State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin said with that singular decision, the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led government has once again demonstrated its unquenchable thirst  for rural development, and unrivalled concern about the welfare of the people.

    He said the Ondo APC wholeheartedly supports the idea that will facilitate rapid development, generates employment opportunities, and boost the economy of the new development areas that will be created.

    “We congratulate members of the LCDA committee and urge them to be thoroughly committed to the onerous task, and be guided by a deep sense of patriotism to justify the confidence reposed in them,” he advised.

    The party also commended Governor Akeredolu, for his patriotic and unbiased approach to decision making, particularly in renaming the State University of Science and Technology after Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

    The party noted that only those few administrators who have outgrown “politics of sentiments and bitterness’” could exhibit such level of political behaviour.

    The party also salutes the courage of the government and urged the people to further encourage it by supporting the administration and promoting peace in their various domains.

  • We’ll appeal tribunal judgment on Osun governorship, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun says it will appeal the tribunal judgment that declared Sen. Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the September 2018 re-run governorship election in Osun.

    Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the APC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, said in a statement on Friday in Osogbo that the verdict would not stand superior legal scrutiny.

    “We are going to appeal the judgment.

    “The verdict cannot stand superior legal scrutiny. Therefore we will appeal against it,” Oyatomi said.

    The PDP in the state, however, commended the judiciary on what it called a landmark judgment.

    Mr. Soji Adagunodo, the Osun PDP Chairman, in his reaction, said the victory was for the people of the state.

    Adagunodo said the judgment shows that “we still have men of impeccable character in the judiciary.’’

    ” Kudos to the Nigerian judiciary and this shows that we still have men of impeccable character in the judiciary.

    “Truly, the judiciary is the last hope of common man,’’ Adagunodo said.

    Adagunodo said since the APC had decided to appeal the judgment, PDP would await the outcome at the appellate court.

    Read Also: Atiku, Obi rejoice with Adeleke over Tribunal ruling

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had on Friday declared Adeleke winner.

    The three-member panel said during its ruling that the rerun election that held on Sept. 27, 2018, was illegal.

    The tribunal, therefore, deducted the votes scored by the APC candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, in the rerun after declaring the rerun illegal.

    The tribunal said Adeleke won the election at the first ballot on Sept. 22 and the rerun that INEC devised to reach a final conclusion a week later was illegal.

    “The declaration of Oyetola is null and void,” the tribunal ruled in a majority decision with one member dissenting.

  • Supplementary polls: APC, INEC conspiracy will fail, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has said that an alleged conspiracy between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig Saturday’s supplementary election in some states will fail.

    The states listed by INEC for supplementary election include Kano, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi and Sokoto states, following electoral body’s declaration of the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections inconclusive in the affected states.

    At a media briefing in Abuja Friday, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan described the alleged alliance between INEC and APC to manipulate the poll as unsavoury.

    The PDP noted that INEC is proceeding to conduct supplementary election in Bauchi without completing the collation of the March 9 governorship election; to enable it determines the margin of lead.

    According to the PDP, the alleged anomaly being created by INEC was geared to cause confusion and muddle-up the Bauchi electoral process and pave the way for allocation of fictitious votes to the APC.

    The party further stated that it was in possession of reports of how the INEC leadership allegedly connived with the APC to delay the collation of results from Tafawa Balewa local government, and then stampeded the courts to halt the process in an attempt to ambush the supplementary election.

    “This informs why INEC hurriedly and shamelessly jettisoned its statutory independence and implemented the unconstitutional Exparte Order to halt the collation of results in Bauchi and Adamawa states, even before the order was enrolled and served on it”, Ologbondiyan said.

    The main opposition party cautioned INEC to note that it already has the figures of votes delivered at the polling units in the first ballot.

    Ologbondiyan continued, “We also have figure of voters with PVCs in the areas where INEC plans to conduct supplementary elections. Therefore any attempt by INEC and the APC to pad the results to favor the APC will be firmly resisted.

    “The PDP is in a comfortable lead in Bauchi and nothing can change this reality, irrespective of supplementary election, in which we are also set to win.

    “In Adamawa, we have also been informed of how the APC and INEC are conniving to cause confusion and alter the figures of already collated results of the governorship election won by the PDP.

    “The situation has become so pathetic that the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is yet to officially state the commission’s position on whether the supplementary election will hold or not.

    “The PDP reminds INEC that it has the figures of the already collated results in Adamawa and warns that any attempt to tamper with such will be faced with dire consequences.

    “In Sokoto State, the PDP alerts Nigerians to the invasion of the state by heavily armed thugs imported by the APC from neighboring states of Kano and Zamfara to unleash violence, cause confusion and help the APC to rig the supplementary governorship election, under official protection of compromised security agencies.

    “However, the PDP wants INEC, the APC, their thugs and the compromised security personnel to note that the people of Sokoto state are determined to assert themselves in this election and anybody attempting to subvert their will would be doing so at his or her own risk.

    “In Rivers state, our party holds that the shifting of the collation of results by INEC to April 2-5, 2019, without providing any reason, is a calculated attempt to create room for their partners, the APC, to engage in judicial manipulations or abracadabra to scuttle the election already won by the PDP.

    “The PDP cautions that such shenanigan by INEC is highly provocative, especially as the people of Rivers state are already aware of all the results delivered from the polling units, which puts the PDP in clear lead. Any alteration will spell doom for our democracy given the place Rivers State occupies in our national economy.

    “Furthermore, the PDP charges the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict adherence to the use of card readers in all the Supplementary elections. Reports abound of how INEC jettisoned the card readers in previous elections, particularly in certain states earmarked for rigging for the APC, thereby leading to all manners of electoral manipulations. This must not be allowed in the supplementary polls.

    “Finally, the PDP states that it is in good stead in Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Benue, Adamawa and Plateau states and as such, will use all legitimate means to ensure that nobody rigs out our candidates in the supplementary elections”.

  • Legal battles, muscle flexing as APC, PDP get set for polls

    Lalong, Useni trade words in Plateau

    We’re ready, says Kano REC

    IG deploys 23 senior police officers

    Legal battles raged yesterday over supplementary elections in Bauchi and Adamawa states.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the March 9 polls inconclusive in six states.

    All three stakeholders in the elections – INEC, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – were trading arguments in court over  Bauchi and Adamawa, two of the states expected to undergo tomorrow’s makeup polls.

    In other states – Sokoto, Benue, Kano and Plateau – the APC and the PDP were flexing muscles as the electoral umpire said it was ready for the elections.

    The Federal Government has ordered the closure of land borders around the affected states.

    Interior Minister Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau directed land borders in Adamawa, Benue, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau and Kano states to be closed from noon today. The borders are to reopen by noon on Sunday.

    Gen Dambazau, in a statement issued in Abuja by the Comptroller-General (CG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, said the measure was taken to restrict movements across the states on Election Day.

     

    But the extension of an order by the High Court in Yola, barring the INEC from conducting the makeup poll, yesterday ruled out the possibility of conducting the election in Adamawa State.

    Justice Abdul-Azeez Waziri fixed March 26 for ruling on a motion challenging the jurisdiction of his court to entertain the case restraining INEC from conducting tomorrow’s supplementary governorship poll in Adamawa.

    Before the adjournment, the Judge had extended an interim injunction the court granted on March 14 restraining INEC from conducting the election pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, which will also be ruled upon on March 26.

    The Adamawa chapter of the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD) and its governorship candidate, Rev. Eric Theman, had sued the electoral umpire over the absence of its logo on the ballot paper of the inconclusive election.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, INEC counsel Mr Tanimu Inuwa (SAN) challenged the court’s jurisdiction, citing Section 285 (2) of the constitution and the electoral Act.

    Inuwa also argued that MRDD did not have a governorship candidate as Rev. Eric Theman was not validly nominated, adding that Form CF002 was the prescribed form for nomination, which was not filled by MRDD.

    “Mere submission of a letter does not transform to nomination,’’ Inuwa argued.

    He, therefore, urged the court strike out the case as the plaintiffs have “no locus standi’’ to file it, adding that there was need to avoid a constitutional crisis as the governorship election must take place not later than 30 days to the expiration of the incumbent governor’s tenure.

    Responding on point of law, counsel to the plaintiffs – MRDD and Theman, Mr. Yemi Pitan, argued that the court had jurisdiction on the matter, citing Section 251 of the constitution and Section 315 of the Electoral Act.

    Pitan urged the court to grant his clients’ prayers and among others, suspend the inconclusive governorship election in Adamawa to enable INEC do the needful by including the MRDD logo on the ballot paper.

    Adjourning the case for ruling on March 26, Justice Waziri assured all that it would be handled within the necessary period that would not give room for any constitutional problem.

    In Bauchi State, the PDP threatened to boycott the election as INEC said it would comply with an ex parte order not to collate results in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, but conduct supplementary election in other areas not covered by the court order. The makeup poll will hold in 15 local government areas where 22,759 votes were cancelled, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed yesterday at a news conference at the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu Conference Hall, INEC Headquarters in Bauchi.

    The APC said its members are ready for the exercise.

    According to the REC, the election will hold in 36 Polling Units (PUs) covering 29 Registration Areas (Wards) in the 15 affected local government areas.

    He said the election will not hold in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area until after the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The REC appealed to members of the public, especially, the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, to be calm and wait for the outcome of the court ruling.

    The Bauchi State chapter of the PDP, however, described the supplementary election as a sham, threatening not to participate in the exercise.

    Its Chairman Hamza Koshe Akuyam told reporters after the INEC news conference: “The supplementary election is a sham, INEC  wants to conduct rerun because 22, 759 people were disenfranchised in 15 local government area, meanwhile 139, 240 were disenfranchised in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.”

    “I don’t know what INEC is up to; maybe they are reading somebody’s script. We are not going to participate in this election.

    “Our legal team will look at this matter. Though it is not just about going to court, but for INEC to do the right thing.”

    The PDP chair said that the party will go to court and seek a redress.

    But the APC said its members were set for the supplementary election.

    Chairman Ubah Nana, said the “party is readily prepared for the rerun”.

    He went on: “Fifteen will be having rerun this Saturday and we are participating. Though the proper thing to be done was for the rerun to be held in the 15 council areas and Tafawa Balewa, but, unfortunately, that is not the case.

    All the same, we are fully prepared. I don’t know why some people seem not to be fully prepared. I don’t know why they are afraid. Let the game be played according to the rules.”

    The Tafawa Balewa Local Government is excluded from tomorrow’s rerun in INEC’s compliance with a court order restraining it from resuming the collation and announcement of results in the area.

    SOKOTO

    All was set yesterday for the supplementary election scheduled for 136 PUs across 22 local government areas.

    Incumbent Governor and PDP candidate Aminu Tambuwal was at the Kebbe Local Government Area, believed to be a stronghold of the APC, with at least 35 PUs where the election will hold.

    Tambuwal’s visit was preceded by a similar visit by Wamakko, the APC candidate, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, his running mate, Faroyk Malami Yabo.

    Though the trio attended a wedding (fatiha), they took advantage of the event to reaffirm their dominance and to solicit for support.

    The INEC and and security agencies, particularly the police, promised a hitch-free exercise.

    A stakeholders’ Town Hall meeting for the peaceful conduct of the election was also staged by the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee (NPC).

    Shortly after the traditional opening prayers, IRI State Coordinator, Hajiya Aisha, noted that the success of the 2015 Peace Accord led to the reactivation of the NPC ahead of this year’s general elections.

    “It’s a wake-up call the affected states to reinforce the message of peace and to implore residents to participate in the re-run elections by exercising their rights to vote.

    “These events were organised in anticipation of the 2019. Although relatively peaceful, these elections exposed some fault lines in Nigerian states as there were numerous reports of voter disenfranchisement, voter inducement, electoral violence, over a militarisation of the elections, among others.

    “In recognition of these incidences, and in acknowledgement of the potential for the escalation of violence in state gubernatorial and state house of Assembly Elections, the NPC developed a regional peace initiative you deliver the message of peace to flashpoint states.

    “This initiative included a visit to five states (Anambra, Imo, Kano, Adamawa and Gombe) ahead of the state elections to organise a high-level dialogue on the need to uphold peace during and after the elections.

    Key stakeholders, including INEC, security agencies, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, youth and women’s groups, as well as the general public attended the peace parley.”

    Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah said there should be no basis for disruption “as we are not having people from Niger, from Chad and from Cameroon or another country contesting elections”.

    The cleric said: “We are indigenes of Sokoto, who are struggling to find somebody who is going to be the governor. It is not people from another country.”

    BENUE

     

    Leader of the APC in Benue State Senator George Akume said the results of the previous elections did not reflect the strength of the party in the state, describing tomorrow’s supplementary poll as a great opportunity for the party to show its strength.

    In a statement in Abuja, Akume, who was the first two-time governor of Benue, emphasized that his party was convinced that a rigorous scrutiny at the election tribunals would soon set aside some of the victories ascribed to other parties in the state.

    The Benue North West senator appealed to APC supporters to come out en masse and vote for the party.

    The statement reads: “We remain the party to beat in Benue and the results as announced by INEC for the National/Presidential and Governor/ State Assembly elections do not reflect the reality on the ground in Benue State.”

    According to him, the judiciary, as the last hope of the common man, would address what he described as “the glaring cases of injustices” against the APC.

    He said: “President Buhari, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed , has assured all voters to come out freely and vote; our supporters should therefore take advantage of this assurance from our president and come out to exercise their civic responsibilities.”

    Governor Samuel Ortom, who is the PDP candidate, will be slugging it out with APC challenger Emmanuel JIme.

    Ortom polled 410,576 votes to beat Jime to the second position with 329,022 votes on the first ballot on March 9.

    The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Kwaghngu Abraham, said the supplementary election would permanently put an end to distractions.

    The APC deputy governorship candidate, Sam Ode, told The Nation, said tomorrow “is a day of liberation for Benue people”.

     

    Lalong, Useni trade words

     

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong yesterday said tomorrow’s governorship rerun election in the state would be a ‘mere formality’.

    A statement by his Information Commissioner, Yakubu Dati, said the main election reflected the wishes of the electorate.

    The APC incumbent led his closest opposition rival, Jeremiah Useni, of the PDP by over 40,000 votes, according to the results announced.

    Useni told reporters that he was sure of victory in the rerun. His APC counterpart, Lalong, described the claim as ‘self –delusion’.

    Dati said: “No doubt the PDP tried by scoring a handful of votes in the elections by a margin thought to be impossible considering the manner it mismanaged the state in the past years, but to claim that it can defeat and APC administration that has cleared the mess it visited on the people of Plateau State is the worst form of self –delusion.”

    In Useni’s words, “The results released by INEC showed that PDP maintained very good scores across all the LGAs.

    “This is in spite of the widespread thumb-printing, vote-buying and outright intimidation by some Security men who had absolutely no business with the election.

    “In one instance, I personally went out to Tudun Wada Collation Centre and freed voters who were made to lie down on the ground by some security men.

    “Civil servants and our traditional rulers were threatened to either deliver to APC or lose their jobs or be dethroned.”

     

    INEC ready for Kano

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said it was set for the supplementary governorship election in Kano State.

    Addressing reporters at the Kano INEC headquarters, the Resident Electrical Commissioner (REC) in charge of the state, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu Arabi, said the election would take place in 75 registration areas, involving 207 polling units and 279 voting points.

    According to him, 128, 324 eligible voters would participate in the election. He added that INEC would deploy 207 card readers for the election, adding that enough man power have also been mobilised, with three RECs from Zamfara, Kebbi and Ogun states to assist so as to have a successful election.

     

    PDP alleges plot by

    military to hijack

    supplementary polls

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged clandestine plot by the military  and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hijack the supplementary elections in six states.

    At a news conference in Abuja yesterday, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the alleged plot was hatched at a meeting the Presidency held with security agencies and officials of INEC.

    Describing the alleged plot as obnoxious, the PDP said its candidates were already leading and coasting to inevitable victory in all the states where the supplementary elections are billed to hold, vowing that nothing can alter this reality.

    The PDP alleged that part of the plot was a directive by a top military chief to the INEC chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu not to declare the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as winner of the March 9 election.

    The PDP said: “Our party is informed of how a top Army officer, at the meeting, directed the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, not to ever declare Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as winner of the Rivers governorship election, even when it is clear to all that he won the election.

    ”We also have details how a top military officer, who is from Bauchi state, at the meeting, directed INEC Chairman not to declare our victorious Bauchi state governorship candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed, as the winner of the Bauchi state governorship election.

    “The PDP is also privy to how a Director of one of our security agencies, who was at the meeting, undertook to use his agency to deliver Kano state to the APC.”

     

  • Oyo govt, APC tackle group over vote of confidence in Ajimobi

    THE vote of confidence in Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi by some party leaders after the last general elections has sparked off crisis within the party.

    A group within the state All Progressives Congress (APC), APC Reformers, has faulted the vote of confidence passed by the party leaders and members of the state chapter, describing it as self-deceit.

    The group admonished President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s National stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, not to recommend Ajimobi for any appointment.

    The APC Reformers, which claimed it comprises APC former political appointees and leaders in Oyo State, in a statement signed by its acting secretary, Sulemon Ramoni, after a meeting in Ibadan on Tuesday, described the vote of confidence as “a continuation of self-deception by a congress of charlatans” that led to the party’s failure at the just concluded elections.

    But, the party’s spokesman, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olatunde, in an interview with The Nation, said members of the group were unknown to the party.

    He explained that at the state APC meeting held on Monday, party candidates and leaders, including state elected officers and government appointees, senatorial zonal leaders, party chairmen and secretaries from the 33 local government areas (LGAs), members of state working committee and national executive members, the 33 local council chairmen, women and youth leaders and ward party leaders among others, were in attendance.

    Olatunde added that the party leaders, after about five-hour’s deliberations, resolved to pass the vote of confidence in Ajimobi, after considering the governor’s achievements so far and his contributions to the party.

    “Then, who are the so-called ‘reformers’? They should tell us their identities, positions in the party, their membership, their local government areas and wards.

    “We know that those who worked against the party during the elections will come out soon and the group might be part of those who worked against our interests.

    “We are ready to react to their lies at any time. They are the real charlatans in the party.”

    When contacted yesterday, the governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, in a statement, described the group as “a faceless association that is unknown to the party in Oyo State”.

    Tunji said: “In any case, the vote of confidence was passed on the governor by the party leadership in the state made up of the state EXCO, local govt party chairmen, secretaries,  women leader, youth leader, all party candidates in the general election,  party chieftains and stakeholders in the state. In all, we had nearly 300 party stakeholders in all the 33 LGAs. Elders like Pa Lasisi Lasunsi from Ibarapa, Alhaji Okaide Abass, Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi, Chief Akin Ojebode, elected senators and House of Representatives’ members. These were the people in attendance at the stakeholders parley. You will agree with me that these are the major stakeholders of the party in the state. Are you now saying that some unknown entities know better than these people?

    “The vote of confidence was passed based on certain indices. The Ajimobi administration is the only one to have spent two terms. It is unprecedented. It is an administration that ensures that peace reigned in the state unlike what we use to have prior to the advent of this administration.

    “What about the unprecedented infrastructural renewal in the state. In any case, APC won two out of three senatorial seats and nine out of 14 House of Reps seats. We know what happened. So, the vote of confidence is totally justified.  What should be uppermost in the minds of faithful party members now is how to constitute a formidable opposition to keep the incoming administration on its toes to ensure the continued development of the state. So, that Oyo State does not go back again to the years of locust.”

    But, the group’s statement reads: “After spending almost eight years in office, the people of Oyo State have passed a vote of no confidence in Ajimobi by ensuring that he lost his unit, ward, local government and the state in the last election.

    “Of what benefit would the decision of his self-appointed leaders and handpicked executive be for the party, democracy and the good people of the state?

    “Mr. President and the national leadership of the party, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, should not be misled by the charlatans to consider Ajimobi for a ministerial or any federal appointment, which is their motive.

    “Any federal appointment for him will worsen the party’s situation, make reconciliation impossible and lead to more loses in future elections.

    “The party lost the presidential election in Oyo State because it held on the same day with Ajimobi’s senatorial election.

    “The state elections were lost because of his influence and interference.

    “After the 2015 general election, Ajimobi scolded the party chairman, Chief Akin Oke, for losing his unit and ward, as a matter of fact he advised him to resign.

    “Some local government caretaker chairmen were also removed by him for losing their constituencies. Now that he has lost woefully, he deserves no reprieve.”

     

  • APC to Atiku, PDP: you are hallucinating on election victory claim

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) said on Wednesday that claims by the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded presidential election, Atiku Abubakar that he won the Presidential election by about 1. Million votes is a clear indication that the former Vice President has started hallucinating and falling into depression.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the constant reference to INEC server by the former Vice President has raised several question and tends to confirm reports before the election the plan to hack the INEC database.

    Onilu said while it is not unaware of the plans by the PDP and its candidate to discredit the electoral process, they should be aware that Nigerians saw through their nefarious plans and decided to put their faith in President Muhammadu Buhari to run the country for another four years.

    The statement reads: “Following the outcome of the Presidential Election, during which a vast majority of Nigerians reaffirmed their unshaken belief in President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to steer the affairs of the country for another four years, we have watched in disbelief and utter amusement how the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have engaged in series of circus shows to cheer up their crestfallen and disillusioned members.

    “While the APC is not oblivious of the PDP’s antics to discredit the credible presidential electoral process, acknowledged by local and international observers, we sympathise with Atiku for the crushing defeat handed him by President Buhari through the votes of Nigerians.

    “Judging by Atiku and PDP’s recent utterances and actions, it is now clear that they have slipped into severe depression and post-defeat hallucination that have left many Nigerians questioning their current state of mind.

    “After weeks of dilly-dallying, the PDP has woken up to the stark reality of its electoral defeat and decided to follow the constitutional path of filing a petition at the Election Tribunal. However, of all the prayers of Atiku before the Election Tribunal, which are at best hollow, the most ridiculous is his claim that the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicated he ‘won’ the Presidential Election by 1.6million votes.

    “A few questions would suffice: Is this phantom figure of 1.6million votes Dubai-invented? Was the result sold to Atiku by his numerous marabouts, who we understand, had assured him that the last election was a done deal for him?

    “Most importantly, we note Atiku’s consistent reference to the “INEC server” as if he is the custodian of that platform. Indeed, Atiku’s constant reference to the INEC server should raise concerns as it is becoming apparent that he and the PDP are up for some dastard activities that are targeted at jeopardizing the INEC database and internal storage system.

    “We recall the widespread reported cases of several programmed card readers that were retrieved from some PDP agents and their failed attempt to hack the INEC database in the lead up to the then postponed presidential election.

    “We remind the Atiku and PDP that Nigerians saw through the devious schemes aimed at thwarting their will. Consequently, majority of the voters handed them a harsh verdict — that verdict remains sacrosanct.

    “We call on the INEC and the security agencies to be on red alert to ensure that Atiku and the other desperate characters in the PDP are not able to execute their evil plans.”

  • Tempers rise as INEC gets set for makeup elections

    Kano APC: hold Kwankwaso responsible for any breach

    Ganduje talks tough

    Benue APC, PDP flex muscles

    Sokoto police commissioner warns troublemakers

    Tempers rose yesterday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reversed itself on the stalled governorship election in Bauchi State.

    It said the supplementary election, which it cancelled last week, will hold on Saturday in areas not affected by yesterday’s court ruling.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the electoral umpire to pull the brakes on its planned resumption of collation of results for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been pushing for the collation and declaration of the results, rejected the decision.

    Besides Bauchi, supplementary elections are holding also in Benue, Adamawa, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto states.

    Amid the anxiety in Kano State, Governor Umar Ganduje warned against any breach of the peace.

    His warning came as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) advised security agents and residents to hold former Governor Musa Kwanwaso responsible for any violence.

    The police in Sokoto were warning criminals to stay away.

    In Benue, the APC and the PDP renewed their war of words over the supplementary polls.

    INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the Commission, will work towards the expeditious resolution of the collation in the local government.

    He said: “The commission has complied with the order of the Federal High Court Abuja. The Commission has suspended the collation of the governorship election result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

    “The commission will proceed and complete the Collation of the result of the State Assembly Election for Tafawa Balewa Local Government and make a return.

    “The Commission will proceed with supplementary elections on Saturday in relation to areas that are not affected by the court order.

    “The commission has a history of obedience to court orders. The commission will continue to comply with court orders and will take steps to vacate orders where it feels strongly that the court that gave the order has no jurisdiction.

    “The Commission will work towards the expeditious resolution of the collation process in Tafawa Balewa Local Government.”

    In a bench ruling yesterday, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ordered parties in a suit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent Governor Muhammed Abubakar to maintain the status quo.

    The judge ordered “that parties shall maintain status quo ante, pending the determination of the substantive matter of this case”.

    The judge adjourned the hearing till today.

    Justice Ekwo judge gave the order following INEC’s failure to comply with the earlier order he made on Monday for it to appear yesterday and show cause why the reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs in their motion ex-parte should not be granted.

    The APC and Abubakar had, in their motion ex-parte, prayed the court for two main reliefs:

    • An order of interim injunction restraining the defendant/respondent whether by Itself or acting through its agents, privies or any person on its behalf, howsoever described, from resuming, concluding and/or announcing the collation of the results of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchl State in respect of election to the office of the Governor of Bauchl State held on 9th” March, 2019, pending the hearing and determination of the the plaintiff/applicant’s motion on notice.
    • An order of accelerated hearing and abridgement of time to two days within which the defendant/respondent is to enter appearance and file its response in defence of the suit.

    Rather than granting the reliefs ex-parte, the court, on Monday, ordered INEC, listed as the sole defendant in the suit, to show cause why the plaintiffs’ reliefs should not be granted.

    The judge said: “The defendant is hereby ordered to appear in court on 19th March 2019 to show cause why the orders prayed on the motion ex-parte ought not to be granted.”

    When parties got to the court yesterday, INEC, represented by Tanimu Inuwa (SAN), told the court that the electoral body had filed a counter-affidavit to the plaintiffs’ originating summons.

    He also made an oral application, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the motion filed by the ruling party and its candidate, which, he argued, could only be entertained by an election tribunal.

    Raji objected to Inuwa’s position, insisting that INEC was yet to comply with the court’s order for it to show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs should not be granted.

    The Judge upheld Raji’s contention that INEC was yet to comply with the court’s order for it to show why the chiefs should not be granted.

    He said while INEC could not challenge the court’s jurisdiction by oral application, the counter-affidavit did not qualify as an affidavit showing cause.

    Justice Ekwo consequently ordered the parties to maintain the status quo (as things were) before the court’s proceedings and adjourned till tomorrow for the hearing.

    INEC, in its counter-affidavit, deposed to by Hassan Adamu, an officer of INEC, queried the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case brought by APC and Abubakar.

    It stated that contrary to paragraph 22 of the affidavit in support of originating summons, “I state that the decision by the defendant to conclude collation for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State was made based on the figures contained in the duplicates of results of the election”.

    “Contrary to paragraph 29 of the affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that: Only Election Petition Tribunal has the jurisdiction to review the decision of the commission.

    “The decision of the Returning Officer referred to is in respect of declaration of scores and return of candidate, which is the exclusive preserve of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The defendant having rescinded its earlier decision based on facts that emerged later and made a return, any grievance arising therefrom now rests with the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The availability of polling units’ results made the defendant to rescind its decision to conduct supplementary election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 30 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the plaintiffs’ right to fair election (if any) will not be affected in any way.

    “Contrary to paragraph 31 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that none of the voting populace of Bauchi State will be disenfranchised, elections having been concluded.

    “Contrary to paragraph 32 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the instant action is targeted at stopping the performance of a constitutional duty.

    “Contrary to paragraph 33 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the plaintiffs do not have any threatened right capable of being protected.

    “Contrary to paragraph 34 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that the issues raised in this application are not triable by this honourable comt, same bordering on return at an election.

    “Contrary to paragraph 35 of affidavit in support of originating summons, I state that all eligible voters have cast their votes, leading to a return and once that is the case, this honourable court is divested of the jurisdiction to entertain this case.”

    Read also: Improved healthcare is priority for Buhari’s administration — Udoma

    KANO

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday warned that his government would not tolerate any breach of the peace under whatever guise.

    He said the state government would not fold its arms and watch “some desperate politicians instigate instability” and plunge the state into crisis.

    “As governor of Kano State and the Chief Security Officer of the state, I cannot sleep if any drop of blood is wasted. Brandishing of harmful objects is also abhorred by my administration,” Ganduje said.

    He made the assertions when an amalgamation of over 300 associations, under the platform of Kano Peace Ambassadors, visited him, assuring him of their resolve to promote peaceful coexistence before, during and after next Saturday’s supplementary governorship election.

    The groups marched from the Emir’s Palace through the streets to the Government House, where the governor received them.

    A letter was given to Ganduje, explaining their resolve to always see that peace thrives in the state.

    The Kano State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), led by Kabiru Ado Lakwaya and the National Association of Kano State Students Association (NAKSS) led its National President Aliyu Maikasuwa Rano, were among the organisations that visited the Government House.

    Ganduje said he was not speaking as a candidate, but as the governor of Kano State and the chief security officer of the state, that “anybody wishing to disrupt the peace and stability of the state will not go scot-free. Kano is a very peaceful state and must remain peaceful.”

    He told his audience the peace accord he and other candidates in the state signed before the presidential and National Assembly elections, was still in force.

    A similar accord was signed, according to him, before the governorship and state assembly elections.

    He said: “After the signing of the Accord, I invited all the contestants for a group photograph, which they all joined at the venue of the signing event.

    “After the signing ceremony, I also invited all of them to the Government House for a special dinner. All the contestants were there with the exception of only one. I am just trying to prove to you how peaceful our government is”

    Abubakar Muhammad Janaral, who co-led the groups, commended Ganduje for making statements that promote peaceful co-existent.

    Janaral said: “Your Excellency, we are monitoring speeches that are being made by political leaders in the state, we found out that, many out there are only triggers to instability.

    “We are indeed commending your political statements that prove to be in line with peaceful engagements. Anyone you see here, Your Excellency, is a Peace Ambassador.

    “Sir, as the chief security officer, we urge you to continue promoting peace and stability in the state. And we are living witnesses that your speeches then and now are all drivers to peace and stability.”

    Also yesterday, the ruling APC urged security agencies and Kano residents to hold Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso responsible should there be any breach of the peace before, during and after the March 23 supplementary governorship poll in the state.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Youth & Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, the APC leadership in Kano expressed worry over inciting comments credited to the former governor.

    Garba, who doubles as the Chairman, Publicity Committee, Kano APC Campaign Organisation, wondered why the senator has not been called to order by security agencies in the state, particularly, the police.

    SOKOTO

    The Sokoto State Police Command yesterday warned potential crime perpetrators to steer clear during and after the supplementary election in the state.

    Commissioner of Police Aminu Koji Kwabe said the command would not tolerate any breach of the law, especially in the 136 polling units across 22 local government areas, where the extra poll will be conducted.

    The police commissioner spoke while parading no fewer than 12 suspected criminals apprehended in possession of dangerous weapons and hard drugs.

    The criminal hideout raided by the police included:  Gidan Igwai; Old Garage; Central Moto Park; Gangare Gidan Dankure and Mana Area – all within the Sokoto metropolis.

    Also recovered from the suspects were 140 wraps of Indian hemp; 549 pieces of hard drugs, including pieces of exol and six sachets of Diazepom, among others.

    Kwabe, represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadeeq, said the command will not relent on its effort to rid the state of criminals.

    He urged drug abusers, thugs and other potential criminals to change their ways as the police would neither tolerate, nor relent their efforts in combating crime and criminals planning to foment trouble during the rescheduled election.

    Kwabe urged the maintenance of peace during the process and after the announcement of the results, warning that the police in the state would not allow the collapse of law and order in the state.

    “Law and order must be maintained in Sokoto. The command will not hesitate to deal with any one tempting its strength by causing mayhem during and after the elections. We will also ensure we bring perpetrators of violence to book to face justice”, he said.

    BENUE

    The Benue chapters of the APC and PDP engaged in muscle-flexing yesterday.

    Both parties are confident of winning the supplementary election billed for Saturday.

    Sam Ode, who is the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, said the electorate would on Saturday cast their ballot for his party’s flagbearer, Emmanuel Jime.

    He said the people were desirous for a change to better their living conditions.

    Speaking in an telephone chat with The Nation, Ode, a former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, maintained that for civil servants and pensioners to enjoy their benefits on regular basis, the PDP government must be voted out on Saturday.

    He stated: “Just like the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has been paying federal workers promptly, the APC in Benue will give priority to welfare of workers and pensioners who are senior citizens of the state.

    “It takes wisdom for any Benue governor to know that the economy of the state revolved around public workers’ salaries and the APC had already put in measures to give adequate attention to Benue workers and called on voters to come out and vote APC on Saturday.”

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Abraham Kwaghngu told our correspondent that Benue people were already at home with Governor Samuel Ortom and would vote him again in the rescheduled election.

    He noted that never in the history of the state has a governor staked his neck for the people and defended them as done by Ortom.

    Kwaghngu said: “The good thing about Benue supplementary election is Governor Ortom is ahead of his opponent with 81,000 votes wide margin and no magic would save the APC.”

    He called on PDP supporters to turn out and vote Ortom once and for all so that he can settle down to business.

    Kwaghngu noted: “All the polling units in contention are PDP strongholds and therefore, there is nothing to worry about.”

     

  • My accusers are real enemies of APC, says Usani

    Minister for Niger Delta Affairs Pastor Usani Uguru Usani has described those accusing him of engaging in anti-party activities as the real enemies of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Usani, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, said  having rejected PDP overtures for 16 years, when he was just a party man, he has no reason now to work for the same PDP.

    The National Vice Chairman in charge of the Southsouth, Ntufam Hillard Eta, and other party stakeholders in Cross River, accused Usani of working with the PDP government against the APC in the general elections.

    Usani said: “For 16 years, I rejected offers from the PDP. If I could refuse offers when I was vulnerable, what do I stand to gain by supporting them now that I am a Minister? To be the President?”

    The minister also dismissed his suspension by the party’s national leadership, saying he was never informed of allegations against him or called to defend himself.

    According to him, the process of discipline outlined by the party has not been exhausted and therefore his suspension cannot stand.

    “I am not aware that the party has ever invited me to any meeting by any means. That I urged people not to vote for APC at any election is not true. My evidence is in the result which I produced. In each of the elections of the President, Senate and House of Representatives, I delivered the two council wards of my community with more than 4,000 votes against PDP which scored less than 1,000 votes.

    “Even in 2015, I delivered similar results. The claim in this petition is a defence mechanism to placate them and divert attention from their untoward activities. Hilliard Eta, the party’s Vice Chairman for Southsouth, won no unit in his Ward 5 in Calabar Municipality.

    “Some of these signatories subscribed to supporting the PDP presidential candidate and their personal ambitions, which created confusion. The selection of Abuja residents, who pose as owners of the party by gaining patronage of the National Chairman, has some shameful undercurrents that I cannot pronounce in this document.

    “That I am working for PDP’s Ben Ayade is laughable. Cross River State indigenes know us by character. When I was politically fallow, I shunned every overture from PDP. It sounds ridiculous that anyone would allege that I am a PDP ally. Some of these signatories have gained from Ayade by proxy in contractual engagements,” he added.

  • APC Reps North Central caucus demands Speaker’s seat

    The North Central geo-political zone caucus of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the House of Representatives has urged leadership of the party to cede the position of the Speaker in the 9th Assembly to the zone.

    The caucus said the zone is deserving of the position because it not only contributed hugely to the victory of the party at the general elections but its peculiar location and challenges made it expedient that it be considered for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    John Dyegh (Benue), flanked by other lawmakers from the zone at a press conference on Tuesday, said since the Northwest and Southwest zones have produced the President and the Vice President respectively, fairness demands other zones be considered for the positions of principal officers of the House.

    The caucus said: “We want to acknowledge the supremacy of our party, the APC in addressing the issue of zoning of positions in an equitable, just and fair manner that will foster unity and cordial relations among members of our party and our colleagues from the other political divides.

    “We are confident of the ability and capacity of the national leadership of the APC to do right to all in order to advance national cohesion, balance of power and federal character.

    “It is in this regard that we humbly wish to appeal to our great party, the APC, to strongly consider the North Central geo-political zone for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th assembly. Our position is based on the following reasons:

    “Zoning the position of speaker to the North Central will satisfy and advance the cause of equity since the North-west and South-west already have the presidency and vice presidency respectively.

    “We note apart from the North West and North East, the North Central zone delivered handsomely for the party in the general elections and as such needs to be rewarded for the hard work and loyalty.

    “The need to ensure balance and spread between and among the six geo-political zones has made it imperative to give prime consideration to the North Central zone to produce the position of speaker.

    “Being the zone with delicate and peculiar location and challenges within the Federation, it is of utmost importance to carry us along in the hierarchy of power distribution in the country as this will in no small measure, help in stabilising the polity.

    “It is not by coincidence that the Nigerian constitution enshrines federal character in the distribution of offices and leadership positions in the country. Section 14(4) of the constitution speaks eloquently to this fact.

    “The North Central geopolitical zone would feel a sense of belonging if it is allowed to produce the speaker in the next assembly.”

    They added: “While we believe the reasons advanced above are very cogent and persuasive enough, we reiterate that our call for the North Central to produce the next speaker of the House is an appeal to the sense of justice, fairness and equity of our great party.

    “We are mindful of the fact that events that surrounded the emergence of leaders of previous assemblies can provide amble guide for our great party to avoid past pitfalls and engender harmony, peace and stability in the House of Representatives as partners in progress with the executive”.