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  • Tribunal dismisses PDP, APC cases against Alex Otti

    Tribunal dismisses PDP, APC cases against Alex Otti

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital yesterday  struck out the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) petition against the state governor Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).

    The three-man panel led by Hon. Justice H.T.D Gwadah in a three hours judgement dismissed the three grounds; Alex Otti’s qualification to participate in the 2023 governorship election; Electoral Malpractice; and Otti’s inability to score the required number of votes to qualify him to be declared the winner of the 2023 polls, for which PDP approached the tribunal.

    In her judgement, Gwadah dismissed the PDP petition for lack of merit.

     She said that the PDP was unable to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that there were cases of corruption/malpractice and  disenfranchisement of voters in 15 local government areas that it  mentioned or the purported alteration of the 2023 governorship election result before it was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The election petition tribunal chairman also said that issues bothering on party primaries that produced Otti as the governorship candidate, is a pre-election matter, adding that the tribunal doesn’t have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

     The tribunal in its judgement said that the PDP failed to prove that Alex Otti didn’t score the required number of lawful votes to be declared the governor of the state.

     The election petition tribunal also dismissed the petition brought before it by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike.

     Emenike in his petition urged the tribunal to nullify the candidacy of Gov. Otti and governorship candidates of the PDP, Okechukwu Ahiwe and Enyinnaya Nwafor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the 2023 governorship election.

     The tribunal also dismissed Ikechi’s petition challenging the emergence of Otti as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party.

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     It  also struck out claims by the APC and their governorship candidate urging the tribunal to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to retrieve the certificate of return it issued to Otti as the duly elected governor of the state, which the tribunal said APC and its governorship candidate failed to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that the party scored the highest number of votes in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

     One of the counsels to Otti and a former Attorney General of the state, Umeh Kalu hailed the judgement, adding that the victory was for Abians and the Labour Party.

    Meanwhile, the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has rejected the judgement.

    A statement by Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State reads, “This verdict handed down by the three-man panel is the mother of Miscarriage of Justice.

    It is unacceptable and we reject it.

    “We condemn unequivocally the judgement of the tribunal. Consequently, we have mandated our legal team to appeal the judgement of the tribunal.

    “With this judgement today, it is obvious that justice was strangulated; more so, and very worrisome is that the court may no longer be the hope of the common man if justice continues to be debased.

     “As a party, we approached the tribunal with fundamental issues on non-compliance and qualifications. We provided substantial evidence and facts in support of our petitions but were surprised and shocked that the tribunal closed its eyes against all the evidence before it and averted justice.

  • Imo elders’ council urges PDP, LP, APGA candidates, others to step down for Uzodimma

    Imo elders’ council urges PDP, LP, APGA candidates, others to step down for Uzodimma

    Imo State Council of Elders and leaders from Owerri zone have unanimously resolved to vote massively for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s second term on November 11.

    They also appealed to candidates of other political parties from Owerri and Okigwe zones to drop their ambition and allow only candidates from the Orlu zone to contest the forthcoming governorship election. 

    The leaders who took the decisions in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Thursday,  said though it is the right of all the candidates from the three senatorial zones to contest the election, adhering to the Charter of Equity will ensure peace,  unity and stability in Imo State. 

    The leaders who took their turn to speak also agreed that cognisance of the incumbency of the present Governor, who has done well, for which reason stakeholders unanimously adopted him for a second tenure in the last Imo stakeholders meeting of January this year,  and who constitutionally is entitled to a second tenure,  he should be supported to go for a second tenure after which,  by this Charter,  the governorship goes to Owerri zone. 

    Deputy Governor Placid Njoku said the people gathered together to sign the charter which he said is not a casual document.

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    He said about 411 elders in Imo State were the ones who ratified the document. We said the governor should complete his second term of four years after which it will be the turn of the Owerri zone

    “For us in Owerri zone, we see it as that handshake which other zones want to put across to us. There is no misgiving or doubt in us that we support it. It is not a casual document,  it is a document signed for the good of Imo State, not for the governor to win election because he can win his election with or without the charter of equity because of his good works.”

    Also, Chief Jerry Chukwueke said in supporting the charter and the re-election of Governor Uzodimma to serve out his second term, the power of governorship will rotate to Owerri zone. 

    He said his idea is to continue to promote peace and quiet in the state. “You cannot have a robust development in insecurity. One of the things that the governor is most concerned about is how he can reduce the amount of money expended every month in supporting security infrastructure and operatives so that most of the money can be redirected and re-channelled into further development of Imo State. “

    Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu noted that the Charter of Equity would ensure a smooth transition as well as promote peace in the state. 

    “This is not a party affair. I am neither APC nor PDP. Whoever wants to run should run but it is not the turn of Owerri zone, we have also told other candidates from Owerri zone to step down, I have told about three of the contestants to keep their money and use it when it will be the turn of Owerri zone and support Governor Uzodimma because a vote for Governor Uzodimma is a vote for Owerri zone.”

    Prof. Morris Iwu called for grassroots mobilisation in support of the charter, saying that the document is a gentleman’s agreement based on honour and principle. 

    He however appealed to Owerri indigenes to support the charter by voting for Governor Uzodimma, adding that failure to do so has thrown the ballot open. “It is the turn of Owerri zone but if Owerri zone fails to vote in support of the charter,  it will not be their turn because you cannot reap where you did not sow.”

    For Chief Lemmy Akakem, the importance of the Charter of Equity cannot be overemphasised. “If you look at what played out in Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra states,  you would have noticed that there was less acrimony in picking their candidates for their governorship election because they know the zones that would produce the candidates. So, it will reduce tension, it will bring peace and equity and less expensive.”

  • Benue tribunal: PDP heads to Appeal Court, challenges verdict on 16 grounds

    Benue tribunal: PDP heads to Appeal Court, challenges verdict on 16 grounds

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state and its candidate in the 2023 Governorship Election, Titus Tyoapine Uba, have lodged an appeal against the ruling of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in the state which affirmed the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    The Tribunal, presided by Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Karaye, had on September 24, dismissed the petition brought by PDP and Uba challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Governor Hyacinth Alia as the winner of the 2023 Gubernatorial election in the state.

    Justice Karaye, who delivered the lead judgment, said that the issues raised by the petitioners were pre-election and ought to have been entertained by the Federal High Court and not the Tribunal.

    The PDP, represented by its legal team, is presently at the Court of Appeal challenging the tribunal’s ruling on sixteen grounds, one of which revolves around the Tribunal’s alleged legal misinterpretation regarding its jurisdiction to handle both petitions.

    The party and its candidate contested the Tribunal’s determination, saying that their grounds for the petition were post-election in nature, contrary to the Tribunal’s classification as pre-election, despite explicit statutory provisions and rulings from higher courts suggesting otherwise.

    Read Also: Tribunal declares Abia PDP candidate winner

    The party in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary Bemgba Iortyom said: “It is confident that the petition was established before the Tribunal as the documentary depositions made by Governor Alia’s running mate, Samuel Ode, were forged and that he was not a candidate to the election on the account that his name was not submitted to INEC alongside that of Alia for the election as expressly required by law.

    “PDP and Engr. Uba reiterates faith in the Judiciary and remains optimistic that the Appellate court will set aside the judgment of the Tribunal and deliver substantive justice to their petition, in line with the hopes of the people that the Judiciary will always be their last hope.

    “By sustaining the challenge to the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in Benue State, the party believes it is deepening the culture of democracy and sanitizing the process of leadership recruitment which alone will ensure that its legacy of development in the state is kept alive and improved upon by the right choice of leaders.

    “We insist that a government’s sole claim to legitimacy lies in its emergence through the due process prescribed and regulated by the rule of law, outside of which, no one, no matter his assumptions of populism and self-righteousness, may lay his hands on the sacred mandate of the people.”

  • Tribunal declares Abia PDP candidate winner

    Tribunal declares Abia PDP candidate winner

    • Awards N200,000 cost against LP standard-bearer  

    The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State capital, yesterday dismissed a petition filed by the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for Obingwa East State Constituency, Mr. Peter Azubuike, against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Akpulonu.

    The LP candidate had petitioned the tribunal, alleging over voting and called for the cancellation and rerun in 28 polling units. He insisted that the election that produced Akpulonu as Obingwa East Constituency representative didn’t comply with the Electoral Act.

    However, the tribunal headed by Justice Abubakar Kutigi, held that the LP petition lacked merit and could not prove the allegation of over voting and non-compliance of the election with the Electoral Act.

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    The tribunal declared Akpulonu as validly elected and awarded N200,000 cost to be paid to the PDP candidate.

    In an interview with reporters in Umuahia after the judgment, Akpulonu, a former majority leader of the Assembly, praised the tribunal for what he described as an erudite and well-considered judgment. 

    He urged Azubuike, whom he described as his cousin, to join hands with him to develop the constituency.

    Counsel for the PDP candidate, Chidozie Ogunji, said the petition lacked merit and commended the tribunal for dismissing it.

  • Tribunal declares PDP’s Akpulonu winner of Abia Assembly poll, fines LP’s candidate N200,000

    Tribunal declares PDP’s Akpulonu winner of Abia Assembly poll, fines LP’s candidate N200,000

    The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia, Abia State, dismissed the petition brought forth by Peter Azubuike, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Obingwa East State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, against Solomon Akpulonu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Azubuike had alleged over-voting and sought the cancellation and rerun of 28 polling units, contending that the election which resulted in Akpulonu being the representative for Obingwa East Constituency did not comply with the Electoral Act.”

    However, the tribunal headed by Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, held that the Labour Party’s petition lacked merit and could not prove the allegation of overvoting and non-compliance of the election with the electoral act.

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    The tribunal declared Akpulonu as validly elected and awarded an N200,000 cost to be paid to the PDP candidate.

    In an interview with journalists in Umuahia after the judgement, Akpulonu, a former majority leader of the Assembly, commended the tribunal for what he described as an erudite and well-considered judgment.

    He enjoined Azubuike, whom he described as his cousin, to join hands with him to develop the constituency.

    The counsel to the PDP candidate, Chidozie Ogunji, stated that the petition lacked merit and commended the tribunal for dismissing it.

  • Tribunal sacks Osun PDP lawmaker, orders re-run

    Tribunal sacks Osun PDP lawmaker, orders re-run

    The Election Petition Tribunal for National and State Assembly sitting in Osogbo capital of Osun State has sacked the lawmaker of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) representing Ife Central State constituency, Jeremiah Awoyeye.

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Johnson Adejobi, filed a petition before the three-man panel tribunal chaired by Justice V. O. Eboreime to seek cancellation of the election result.

    He stated that violence were recorded in some polling units and result should not be declared in the units.

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    In the unanimous judgement read by Justice Eboreime, Tribunal ordered Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in 26 polling units of the Ife Central State Constituency of the State.

    The Chairman of the panel noted the petitioners were able to prove that INEC did not substantially comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 and the Manual for Election Officials in declaring the 2nd Respondent, Jeremiah Awoyeye, as the winner of the election which held on the 18th day of March, 2023.

    She added that PDP flag bearer was not validly elected considering the provision of the Electoral Act 2022.

  • Former Kaduna State Gov dumps PDP

    Former Kaduna State Gov dumps PDP

    Alhaji Ramalan Yero, a former Kaduna State Governor, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Yero’s resignation was contained in a letter addressed to the state’s leadership of the party on Saturday.

    “With grateful to Almighty Allah, I write to extend my sincere greetings and to formally inform you of my decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “In view of this, I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from Sept. 30.

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    “Enclosed herewith, is my membership card duly returned,” Yero added.

    Yero, who was the deputy governor, became the governor following the death of Mr Patrick Yakowa in an helicopter crash and served from 2012 to 2015, after which he lost his reelection bid to former Gov. Nasiru El Rufai. (NAN)

  • Gombe 2023: The PDP’s blind alley

    Gombe 2023: The PDP’s blind alley

    • By Dahiru Hassan Kera

    The elections have so far been won and lost whether through the polls or via the election tribunals and it is now time to cast a backward glance and take a cursory look at the major events that shaped the entire process. This measurement and evaluation exercise is very necessary even if just to identify necessary adjustments, define needed alignments that can be used to illuminate the next elections slated for 2027. Indeed, for the umpire, early preparations are a major key for organising free, fair and acceptable polls. And for the contenders, understand what went wrong before will offer useful guidance.

     However, to attempt a wholesome review of the election as went down in every state will be usurping the responsibility of INEC, never mind that it will be a herculean task. Therefore, the scope and focus of this review piece shall be on and about Gombe State.

     First thing to review is how the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC lost woefully in the first leg of the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly elections. In those elections, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state dug a deep hole into the political fortunes of the APC. The PDP snatched five out of the six House of representatives’ seats leaving the APC with just one seat.

     In the same fashion, the ruling party lost two of its three senatorial seats to the PDP. But for Danjuma Goje’s deep political capital, the PDP would have performed a clean sweep for senate seats on offer. Goje’s showing is what saved the ruling party’s neck from being totally yanked off in this segment of the polls as the former governor and incumbent senator, Danjuma Goje retained his seat in Gombe central.

     It must be said that Goje succeeded almost against all odds because he’s a master politician who knows his political onions.  Combine that with the fact that his constituents are truly enjoying his ride, and you will see why he won this time even without going out to campaign. This is despite the glaring animosity and gang up against him and his aspirations by the power that be. In the end, Goje triumphed even against political landmines planted on his path, in what many have described as a demonstration of a deepening political awareness on the part of the electorate, giving them the tools to separate chaffs from grains.

     Perhaps the most surprising and disappointing aspect of the election was the incumbent governor, Inuwa Yahaya lost his polling unit, ward and the entire LGA to the opposition PDP during the February 25, election. This was a confirmation that the governor was never in charge of his party at any point in time.

    So, how did the APC lose so woefully in the National Assembly elections, but managed to retain the governorship seat? Simple. The PDP, which is the main opposition party went into the election in disarray.

     As an indigene of the state and having been fully involved in the electoral process, I can confidently say that I know one or two things that led to that rueful showing. And although the matter is before the courts, I can say without any fear of contradiction that internal party skirmishes within the PDP were responsible for its woeful outing at the second leg of the 2023 election.

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     Particularly, the PDP failed to utilise its conflict management machinery to settle the post primary election crisis that engulfed it. Instead of looking to close ranks and present a common front, a winner takes all atmosphere was enshrined by the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer who must shoulder a large chunk of the blames.

     As the potential leader of the party, perhaps PDP’s flag bearer considered himself too high and mighty to care about the feelings of other members, perhaps he even believed that having won the primary election, he was already a governor in waiting. But, we all know that it’s one thing to win at the primary election of an opposition party and more unnerving to win at the general election, especially when contesting against an incumbent. 

     Sadly, PDP’s ill-fated journey started from name calling especially of those who passionately supported aspirants of their choice from among the array of contenders who vied for the governorship ticket; Jamilu Gwamna, Abubakar Ali Gombe, Babayo Ardo, Shehu Adamu Fura and Ya’u Gimba Kumo.

     Name calling soon gravitated into vicious vituperations headlined by a leaked mindboggling audio clip in which some important stakeholders of the party were insulted and defamed by someone who was supposed to be persuading and wooing them to support him to win the election.

     As they say, it’s too late to cry when the head is cut off. Such is the regret of those who at first thought we were wrong for dumping the man flying our party’s flag but have now seen reason with us and seeing wisdom in our actions. The over 200,000 votes scored by the PDP were the votes of ardent supporters of the party and that of those who decided not to vote for the return of the incumbent governor. To spoil the names of many who rooted for the NNPP candidate for a reason best known to all, we were reported to have purportedly collected various sums of money from the ruling party. This is ridiculous! There was nothing of such. In any case, that no longer holds any electoral value, does it?

     The PDP in Gombe or whatever is left of it is now crumbling. People are leaving in droves and it’s highly unlikely that the mass exodus will stop any time soon. The imperative for the party to rise up and put its house in order can never be overemphasized. It is my strong belief that the PDP even in its current rag tag state has strong prospect come 2027 election. 

     But, that prospect can never amount to anything until we implement reforms that will promote fairness, respect for the right of every stakeholders to pursue their ambitions within a serene internal party atmosphere devoid of rancour and injustice. Imposition of less popular candidates because of their personal stations in life must be eschewed, especially as some have proven to be either without a brass farthing or penny-pincher after getting the ticket. It must be seen that newcomers in the party exhibiting exuberance must be checked. If we can do this, the PDP will return to her glory days in Gombe.

    •Kera, is a publisher and public affairs analyst.

  • Taraba Elections Tribunal upturns PDP Assembly seat, upholds two APC seats

    Taraba Elections Tribunal upturns PDP Assembly seat, upholds two APC seats

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Lau State Constituency, Emmanuel George, has created an upset in the Taraba Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo, upturning the victory of Nuhu Akila of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Also, the tribunal upheld the victory of Hon. Batulu Mohammed Kaltume of the APC  for Gashaka State Constituency and Hon Abel Peter Diah of the APC for  Mbamnga Constituency.

    The tribunal presided over by Justice Benson Ogbu had dismissed the case filed by Hon. Mohammed Gayam of the PDP for Gashaka Constituency and Emma Bongo of the PDP for Mbamnga Constituency for lacking in merit.

    In a late night ruling, the judge, therefore, ordered that the certificate of return be given to Emmanuel George.

    The petitions were on two grounds: non-qualification and non-compliance to the electoral act which were dismissed by the tribunal.

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    Counsel to Hon. Balutu and Hon. Diah Mohammed Bashir said the petition was dismissed for “lack of merit”.

    “The tribunal entered judgement for the respondent- that there was substantial non compliance as alleged by the petitioners. So the tribunal dismissed  the petition for lacking in merit because they were unable to prove their case,” Bashir stated.

    An elated George expressed his pleasure over the judgment.

    “Justice has prevailed. We have said it earlier that we have won the majority of the lawful votes that were cast.

    ” It was sorted and counted out at the full glare of the public and the tribunal has affirmed that I am the true winner of that election. They went ahead to say INEC should retrieve the certificate of return and also return me immediately,” he stated.

    Also, Hon Balutu Hammangaldo also expressed her pleasure over her victory and called on her opponent to come walk with her.

    “Glory to God. I want my opponent to come and work with us for the benefit of our people,” she stated.

    However, Counsel to Hon. Nuhu Akila of the PDP, Joseph Oguche, promised to appeal the case. “The judgment has not been supported by both the evidence of the court and by law. So, I know we would succeed in the appeal,” he stated.

  • Acting Poly Rector denies endorsing Imo PDP candidate

    Acting Poly Rector denies endorsing Imo PDP candidate

    The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, Dr. Chris Onyemenonu, has denied a report claiming he has endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 11 governorship election.

    According to the Special Adviser on Media to the Rector, Dr. Ugochukwu Iwuji, there was no iota of truth in the purported claim.

    A group of students  held an event within the school premises and it was alleged that the Rector along with other management staff  were in attendance.

    But, Iwuji countered, saying neither the Rector nor any management staff of the institution was in attendance.

    Iwuji said: “Our attention has been drawn to a perfidious scheme of some mischief makers to tarnish the hard-earned image of the Acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Chris Onyemenonu. These agents of falsehood have circulated a video with a spurious claim that the new polytechnic helmsman  has declared the polytechnic a PDP institution.

    “The Acting Rector never attended the said event, nor did he delegate any of his principal officers or anyone else to represent him. In other words, the student body acted on its own accord, an action that is already a subject of an investigative panel.

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    ”Their intention is principally to mislead the public into believing that the institution or its principal officers have political leaning. They even alleged that staff of the institution was persuaded to attend the event, a programme that was meant for female students of Engineering School.

    “One of the plans of these fifth columnists is to give the impression that last Thursday’s event of the Council of Vice Presidents in the School of Engineering Technology of our institution was organized to give an audience to some PDP actors.

    “On the contrary, the event which had Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Joan Arimanwa as Keynote Speaker dwelt on the theme: Female Engineers Advancing Technology in Society, the aim of which was to advance the cause of female engineers in a technologically driven world. However, the event was not approved by Management as of the time it was held.

    “May we place it on record that the identities of guests invited by the students were completely unknown to the management of the Federal Polytechnic prior to the event. So, whatever view they might have expressed do not represent the views of the institution

    “The Management of the FederalPolytechnic Nekede hereby distances itself from any programme held by a student body to grant audience to politically exposed persons in general and the People’s Democratic Party in particular.”