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Tag: Isiaka

  • Tight security as Ogun tribunal set to deliver judgement

    Tight security as Ogun tribunal set to deliver judgement

    Heavy security mounted by a plethora of armed policemen, operatives of the Department of the State Security Service(DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) including those on an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) dotted Isabo, Abeokuta,  and adjoining roads as the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment latest by noon today.

    Vehicular and pedestrians movements were fenced off the area while all residential buildings within 60 meters radius of the Isabo high court, the venue of the Tribunal sitting, were also taken over by armed security agents in bids to ensure adequate security around the Court.

    The three – man Tribunal headed by Justice Henry Olusiyi which began sitting last May in respect of the the petition filled by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gboyega Isiaka, challenging the victory of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his All Progressives Congress(APC) started reading introductory part of the judgement by 9:20am.

    According to him, the April 11 governorship polls in the state where Governor Amosun was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) with 306,988 votes as against Isiaka’s 201,440 score,  was marred by rigging, corruption and malpractices.

    Addressing the court this morning before proceeding with the reading of the judgment, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Olusiyi, on a lighter note, said “everybody will be glad today” as the long awaited day has come.

    He, however, added that there “was no pressure whatsoever from any quarter” on them as they also performed their task “without tension.”

     

  • Tribunal: INEC tenders 70,000 documents in Isiaka, Amosun suit

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday tendered before the  Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta over 70, 000 documents used during the last April 11 governorship election in Ogun State.

    The electoral materials – some of which were packed in over a dozen “Ghana-must-go” bags, were ferried into the court premises in four Hilux Pick-Up vans marked (PRESIDENCY) FG 66 – U01, FG 67 – U01, FG 68 – U01 and FG 70 – U01.

    The documents were tendered based on court subpoena at the request of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka.

    They were certified true copies of Voters’ Register Record; result sheets, incident forms and original copies of ballot papers used in nine local governments councils, where the results were being challenged by Isiaka.

    The local governments are Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Ewekoro, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode Sagamu and Remo North.

    Isiaka is challenging the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the April 11 governorship polls by INEC.

    The INEC materials used for the polls were brought to the court by its Deputy Director, Head of Department, Electoral Operations in Ogun State, Samuel Ogunjemilua, who also tendered them.

    Ogunjemilua was asked to appear before the tribunal, following a writ of subpoena dated August 12, as applied for by  Isiaka’s counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN). The request was granted by the court.

    The subpoena ordered INEC to produce, bring and tender the documents used in areas where results are being challenged before the tribunal.

    A schedule of documents brought before the court showed results from 1, 626 polling units and 820 incident forms.

    Other documents included 70,024 sheets of Voter Register, 1,913 results sheets, including EC8A and EC8B, and others.

    Before the documents were tendered, the counsel for Amosun, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), opposed the documents being tendered by INEC official without swearing an oath.

    “If he is to tender, he is duty bound to comply with what he has been brought to court to do; nobody can take the court for granted,” Fagbemi argued.

    Counsel for APC and INEC – George Oyeniyi and Oluwadare Ogunnaike – aligned with Fagbemi.

    They posited that the subpoenaed should swear like every other witness before tendering any document.

    But Adetunji  Oyeyipo disagreed, citing the decision of the Court of Appeal in Olaniyan Vs Oyewole (2008) to buttress his position.

    But the tribunal chairman, Justice Henry Olusiyi, anchoring his ruling on Famakinwa Vs University of Ibadan and Akanno Vs. Nigeria Army, 2008, held that the subpoenaed should be taken for his title.

    He  added that he (the INEC official) is neither competent nor be compelled to be sworn or affirmed.

    The tribunal adjourned till today for the petitioner to tender more documents at subsequent sittings of the tribunal and for continuation of trial.

     

  • Tribunal grants Isiaka access to INEC’s documents

    Tribunal grants Isiaka access to INEC’s documents

    The Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday rejected bids by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gboyega Isiaka, from accessing the materials used in the April 11 election.

    The tribunal granted Isiaka’s prayer to have unfettered access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) documents used during the election.

    Tribunal Chairman, Justice Henry Olusiyi said Isiaka’s prayer succeeded and was granted because it has considerable merit.

    According to Justice Olusiyi, Amosun’s counsel Olumide Ayeni was unable to convince the court how the granting of Isiaka’s prayer would be prejudice.

    Isiaka’s counsel Funminiyi Adeleke argued that INEC’s documents would assist in the determination of the substantive petition before the tribunal.

    Adeleke argued that granting the application would be in line with the applicant’s right to fair hearing as well as strengthening justice.

    But, in opposing the application at the time, Ayeni argued that it was grossly incompetent and that the tribunal also lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it

    The counsel also reckoned that the application sought to embark upon a fishing expedition for evidence, thus rendering it an utter and complete ruse calculated to mislead the tribunal.

    He explained that all documents being sought by the applicant have been in his custody as demonstrated by the available information before the court.

    In granting the application, Justice Olusiyi said the issue for determination was resolved in the affirmative in support of the applicant.

    “Counsel to the first respondent failed to show how granting the application would prejudice him.

    “There’s considerable merit in the application, it succeeds and is hereby granted,” he ruled.

    The tribunal, however, directed that Amosun’s and APC’s representatives should be available during the inspection, which should be concluded in seven days.

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  • Isiaka: why I’m challenging Amosun’s victory

    Isiaka: why I’m challenging Amosun’s victory

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, has said he is challenging the victory of Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the Election Petitions Tribunal because he believes “the poll was flawed by acts that contravene the Electoral Act”.

    Isiaka, who spoke with reporters at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, claimed that the election was marred by irregularities.

    He stressed that his resolve to take his case to the tribunal was in the best interest of the people, adding that he believes he and his party would get justice.

    Isiaka, who vied for the same office in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), claimed that the evidence showed that the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not the true reflection of the will of the electorate.

    Isiaka said: “You know generally once you take a case to the tribunal. You need to be careful about what you say in public.

    “But I think the general thing is that there is gross manipulation of the election and we have done our own findings in this regard.

    “And we have come to the conclusion that we are not going to allow the electoral fraud to stand.

    “There are a lot of cases of people using all manner of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from sources, which I am sure they will explain at the tribunal.

    “And so many other things that are contrary to the Electoral Act. And for this reasons, I feel this is the mandate freely given by the people of Ogun State.

    “So, I, as an individual, cannot allow it. So, we must stand up to defend the position of Ogun people in that election.”

  • Isiaka: we ‘re turning the heat on ruling party

    Isiaka: we ‘re turning the heat on ruling party

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship standard bearer in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, spoke with SEYI ODEWALE on preparations for the general elections and his chances at the polls.

    How much ground did you think you have gained and are you sure you can defeat the governor at the poll?

    We are doing everything that needs to be done. We are talking to our people, we are talking to various associations; we are going around visiting. We are confident of victory. It is not a road that is new. We have done all that is needful. More so, when we know that the APC government in Ogun State has not done well.

    There is this opinion that the shift in the dates of the elections was a blessing in disguise to some parties, particularly in Ogun where the PDP is in the opposition as it gives them ample chance to campaign…

    The shift in the election days is a blessing in disguise to democracy when you consider the fact that in Ogun State, for instance, only 40 per cent of voters were able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) needed for the election. So, if the election had taken place with only 40 per cent of registered voters in a position to vote, what kind of leaders are you likely to produce? A leader elected by the minority. And that is not too good for democracy. That is why I think it’s a blessing for democracy itself. Even from the admission of Prof. Attahiru Jega, recently, that they were expecting over a million PVC. With that it is clear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not read then.

    But, Prof Jega never said INEC was not ready for the election…

    Yes, that was what he said initially, but lately when he visited the Senate Committee his words all amounted to the fact that INEC was not prepared. That is the truth. If you come up with a list that shows that only about 40 to 50 per cent of voters have collected their PVCs, then it means you are not prepared for the election, especially when you are still expecting many more PVCs to be printed. That to me is an admission of not being prepared. If he did not use those words, I think it’s just a matter of semantics. INEC was not prepared as at then.

    A lot of Nigerians say the campaign are not issue based. Do you consider the campaigns being run by politicians as acceptable and do we consider them as good enough?

    Well, for us, I think the campaigns we have been running are issue based; they have actually been addressing one issue or the other. There is a banner we placed directly opposite the University of Education where we said: “Will this be scrapped”, obviously referring to the news that it may be scrapped because we know there are attempts by the APC government in Ogun State to scrap it. There was another one that talked about the demolition that we have experienced in the state in the last three and half years, which we say are largely needless. We have faced issues. We have not attacked individuals or persons as that is not my style. I don’t attack persons, I face issues. We have reeled out clearly what we want to do, which we call four pillars. And out of these pillars we are beginning to bring out what we want to do, which we want people to really remember us for. So, for us, we have faced issues and we are certain about that. In the days ahead we are going to be seeing more of such in our campaigns.

    There seem to be an uneasy calm in the PDP, especially with the departure of ex President Olusegun Obasanjo from the party. What is your take on this?

    Baba Obasanjo is a national figure and, therefore, his departure from the party is better looked at from the angle of his impact in the party at the national level. Is it positive or negative? For so long now, Baba himself said he has not been active in the Ogun State PDP. Even in the local politics his influence has not been that much. I think Baba is a father of all. Therefore, I’m not expecting that his exit or his tearing of card, as it were, would have a major influence on the local politics that we are running here. Because in the elections that we have had in the past we all know the extent of Baba’s involvement; what he has done and what he has not done. He has not really been involved in our local politics, especially, in campaigns and elections.

    And you don’t see his exit affecting the fortunes of your party in the state?

    No. It’s not going to affect the party’s fortunes. I can say that very clearly.

    You are from Yewa. With your emergence as the PDP governorship standard bearer, what has been the response so far?

    Somebody has to be born somewhere, but the important thing is that we are aspiring for a seat and that seat is Ogun State governor’s seat. The whole state is my constituency, of course, because the people of Ogun West have never had a shot at the governor, there is excitement in the air, a lot of passion and interest. And that is good for the polity; there is no doubt about that. Even if it is just to say that we are part of the state and have what it takes to govern it. Even if that is all we want to get from it, I think our people are excited and are ready to go considering what I have seen. In terms of my mandate, my mandate is for everyone in the state and, therefore, I have responsibility for every nook and cranny of the state and Ogun West inclusive and that is exactly what I’m going to do. Therefore, what we expect people from other parts of the state, to do, which is what they are doing, is to look at me as an individual and make up their minds.

    Have there been feelers from the opposition, considering what they perceived you to be?

    They have been pursuing us all over the place. They have been tearing our posters, removing billboards and doing all what not. We have begun to see a fairly intolerant government and we hope that would be curbed. There were billboards that we have put in place that were being removed and taken to the house of one of the people in government or those close to those in government that we know. We are just imploring them that they should allow the game be played fairly. So, when you talk about how they have been feeling, I would say they have been showing to us lately that the heat is on and we know that the heat has just started. We also want to implore that they should allow the people to make up their mind and decide on what to do, and not use the machinery of government to unnecessarily harass and begin to remove posters and billboards. I think that is not too good.

    Was any of such done lately?

    O yes! Even yesterday my billboard was removed under the pretext of whatever law they said they have made. They said it was too tall. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about that; we will make our position known on the matter in due course. There was one of my posters in front of TASUED that was torn and damaged less than 24 hours after it was done. Even the President’s posters were damaged at the entry into Abeokuta. I saw some on my way this morning. There are so many cases of such coming from the same direction of the APC. I think that not good enough.

    What is to be expected on the election day?

    What to expect is for the INEC to get prepared and let people have their PVCs and for people to really get interested in it. It is a decision we are going to take one day that is going to affect the life of the state in the next four years and even beyond four years, because what a government does at one term can transcend and affect other terms ahead. I think everybody should take it as a serious business. It is a decision for us to say clearly how we want the state to be run, how we want the future of Ogun State to be and how we should live in the state in generations to come. I think it is a very serious business and I expect everybody to come out and vote the right man for the job, who is my humble self for the governor and other PDP candidates in other elections.

    What are doing to address the division within your party?

    Well, it is nothing unusual, when primaries are held, especially in a contest that had 11 aspirants, there is bound to be some of these reactions. It is not out of place and they are bound to happen. Therefore, what is important is how was it addressed? I think we have addressed it well. When you mentioned those who left the party, including Prof. Bamgbose you referred to, he is a friend; he himself knew his strength and he has taken a decision which he is entitled to. Looking at the totality of the election, only the handsome Prof. knows why he must run for this office. He has moved from the Accord Party to the PDP and now to APGA. Again, I leave him to his decision, but I want to tell you that it has nothing to do with the function of the PDP at all. When you said people left the party I was going to ask which of the major contenders left. And you mentioned Prof Bamgbose. The person that came second in that primary was Jelili Amusan and we have always been together. Other contenders were Hon. Akinlade, who is running for the House of Representatives. Also Hon. Bankole was a major contender in the whole process. He is still a member of the party, although he may not be as active as expected, but he is still working for the party underneath. Others are Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola.There was also Omo-Oba Segun Adewale, also from Ogun West. He is still a member of the party. Also, Remi Bakare. For me, what happened at the primaries was not unusual, but we have put that behind us now.

    What about the role allegedly played by the national leadership of your party?

    There was no role. The national body issued a statement in the evening of that day that the primaries had been postponed, but that was after the primaries had been concluded. They realised that later on and adopted the result. of the primaries. It was not something major.

     

     

  • Isiaka: PDP’ll win in Ogun

    Isiaka: PDP’ll win in Ogun

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has said the party will win next month’s general election.

    Isiaka, who spoke at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where President Goodluck Jonathan started his re-election campaign, said he was convinced that the President will win the election with a wide margin that will be difficult for the opposition to contest.

    Isiaka, who was presented with the party flag by the National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, said: “Nigeria is fortunate to have him as president. Despite provocative statements and unwarranted attacks by the opposition, he remains level-headed and this explains why he has the best human rights records in Nigeria.

    “People should not be carried away by the noise of the opposition, President Jonathan will be re-elected by Nigerians.”

    The investment banker turned politician said he was convinced that PDP will return to the Ogun State Government House.

    “We are appealing to our people to endure till May 29. But I want to also appeal to them to go and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote.”