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Tag: poll

  • DIG, CPs lead 6,000 policemen for poll

    DIG, CPs lead 6,000 policemen for poll

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, has assured the people of Kogi State that the police will secure life and property before, during and after the November 21 election.

    The IGP, who spoke at the Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the police and other security agencies would ensure a violence-free poll.

    The programme, held at the Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, was attended by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu.

    Others included the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Halilu Pai, a representative of the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), representatives of the 22 parties, monarchs, civil society groups and the public.

    Arase assured the parties and their candidates of a level-playing field, adding that it would be peaceful.

    He said Kogi poll was a litmus test for others, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari made it clear that the votes of Nigerians must count.

    The police boss said one Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIC), three commissioners, one to be posted to each of the three senatorial zones and one unit of mobile policemen would be deployed in each of the 21 local governments, in addition to the over 6,000 regular policemen on ground.

    He warned those who might have illegally procured or sewn police or army uniform that it was an exercise in futility, saying all officers on electoral duty would be identified.

    Arase admonished the officers not to escort ‘VIPs’ to the polling booths, noting that they were not authorised to monitor the election.

    He said there would be inter-local government restriction of movement, adding that the police would work with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure compliance.

    The police chief said there would be no scared cow. “Those who dare the police will not be spared.”

    The INEC chairman said the commission would conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election.

    He said 1,351,313 voters were eligible to vote on Saturday, adding that the commission recruited over 13,000 ad hoc officials to work in the 3,018 polling units.

    Prof. Yakubu said the commission detected over 2,300 double registration and that the figure would be removed from the voter register.

    He said as part of efforts to ensure a hitch-free exercise, the commission would deploy three national commissioners and 11 state commissioners for the election.

  • Poll rates Audu ahead of Wada

    Poll rates Audu ahead of Wada

    A survey conducted in the 21 local governments of Kogi State may have tipped Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to win the November 21 election.

    The results of the poll by the Kogi Liberation Group (KOLIG) and Good Governance Support Network (GGSN) showed  Audu  would defeat   Governor Idris Ichala Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The survey was conducted when the two candidates campaigned round the state.

    Audu and Wada have completed their rallies.

    In a statement at Ayangba in Dekina Local Government signed by KOLIG’s National Publicity Secretary, Ogu Idegu, on behalf of the organisations, said: “The result of our poll shows that Prince Audu, the APC standard-bearer, will win the election by 70 per cent and Governor Wada will score 30 per cent.

    “We monitored the campaigns of the two candidates from the beginning. We sent our agents to the venues in the 21 councils to sample opinion.

    “We were at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja where the PDP governorship candidate held his final rally, to sample opinions.

    “Our independent survey puts APC ahead because the majority of the citizens want change.

    “The performance of Governor Wada, which many rated poor, could be a reason for the people’s desire for change.”

  • PDP alleges plot to rig Bayelsa poll

    PDP alleges plot to rig Bayelsa poll

    The Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of planning to rig the December 5 governorship election.

    The party’s leadership said its allegations were based on the sudden transfers of the Department of State Security (DSS) State Director Baba Alhassan and Police Commissioner Paul Okafor.

    Bayelsa PDP Chairman Serena Dokubo-Spiff said Okafor’s transfer, which came shortly after Alhassan was removed a month to the election, raised questions about the motives for such actions.

    In a statement in Yenagoa, the state capital, Dokubo-Spiff condemned the transfers of the two security heads, saying the duo were “experienced and understood the terrain of the state so well”.

    The party chairman described their transfers as “unwise and curious” in the current circumstance in the state.

    He said: “The actions of the power that be in Abuja over these transfers really beg the issue. They are curious as they clearly give us the logical feelings to think twice about what could have been the reason for transferring the two main security heads in Bayelsa State about a month to the election.

    “We in the PDP believe that this is a calculated move by the APC-led Federal Government to use the security apparatus in the state to rig the election in favour of its candidate in the December 5 governorship election.”

    The PDP chairman alleged that since the transfers, there had been an influx of suspected criminals into the state, causing major threats to the security of life and property.

    He said the APC was acting in concert with the Federal Government to rig the poll.

    Dokubo-Spiff said: “Since the transfers of these two top flight officers, we have noticed the sudden influx and return of cultists, militants and other undesirable elements into the state, especially those who are already attacking and kidnapping innocent Bayelsans.

    “Security bases and posts are also being attacked with arms being carted away to create an arms base for the cultists preparatory to executing plans of rigging the elections.

    “Our findings also indicated that the APC was so obsessed with the rigging plan that it will inevitably involve violence and intimidation by various federal agencies, including security personnel, to rig the election.”

    The PDP chairman urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the alleged plan.

  • Anambra tribunal nullifies senatorial poll

    Anambra tribunal nullifies senatorial poll

    Oduah, Onyema, Azodo’s win upheld   

    The election petition tribunal sitting in Enugu yesterday nullified the Enugu East Senatorial election. It ordered that a fresh election be conducted within 90 days.

    The tribunal held that the election did not comply with the 2010 Electoral Act as it was marred by irregularities.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Matthew Adewara said allegations of alteration of results, mutilations and cancellation were proven by the petitioners

    Relying on the evidence of the forensic expert, who testified on behalf of Chimaroke Nnamani, the tribunal held that irregularities alleged in the conduct of the election were “gross and fundamental”, noting that it did not comply with the rule on voter accreditation and with proven cases of multiple voting, ballot box stuffing and over- voting.

    Nnamani challenged the declaration of Nnaji as winner of the election. He alleged that there were widespread irregularities, malpractices and corruption in the conduct of the election.

    He alleged that the conduct of the election was not in compliance with the 2010 Electoral Act.

    He prayed the tribunal to nullify the result of the election and declare him winner.

    Nnamani’s counsel Olusegun Jolawo expressed satisfaction with the judgment, but said their team would have been happier if his client had been returned as winner.

    Counsel to INEC Mr. Wilfred Nwabude said the commission would look into the judgment and know its next line of action.

    The Justice Hezekiah Solanke-led election petition tribunal sitting in Anambra State has upheld the election of the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Anambra North.

    The tribunal also upheld the election of Eucharia Azodo and Chuchu Onyema, representing Aguata and Ogbaru federal constituencies.

    Chief Dubem Obaze of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) challenged Oduah’s victory, alleging that the PDP carted away materials and intimidated security operatives.

  • Bayelsa poll: Clash of old rivals

    Bayelsa poll: Clash of old rivals

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his predecessor, Chief Timipreye Sylva, were rivals in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sylva’s second term ambition had crumbled when pro-Dickson forces, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, stood against it. The beneficiary was Dickson, a former member of the House of Representatives. After leaving power, Sylva’s days were numbered in the party. Last year, he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former governor is now the party’s governorship candidate. On December 5, Sylva will challenge the PDP flag bearer, Dickson, at the poll. Will he bounce back or lose his deposit? Will Dickson succeed in his second term bid and break the second term jinx? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the struggle for power in the oil-rich state. 

    The Bayelsa State governorship election will be a clash of titans. No fewer than 12 parties are fielding candidates for the poll. But, it is evident that the battle is between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many have argued that the contest is a continuation of the battle between former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from the state, and President Muhammadu Buhari, whose party is facing a major popularity test in the Southsouth during the election.

    However, at the home front, the contest is between Governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP and Sylva, the candidate of the APC. Analysts have predicted a clash of egos. They are of the opinion that the two rivals are resuming hostilities. They are full of bravados. The state has not change, but the previous conditions may have been altered. Sylva had forfeited his second term bid in 2011, following the endorsement of Dickson by former President Jonathan and other party leaders. He fought hard to retain the seat, but without success. After leaving office, he was also being hunted by the anti-graft body. The former governor attributed his ordeal to the orchestrated plans by his foes to politically liquidate him.

    Today, the two parties are of equal strength. The APC wields the power of incumbency at the centre. But, the PDP also basks in the euphoria of incumbency power the state level. Also, money is not a problem to the two parties. For the parties, the stakes are also high. The poll has implications for the two platforms.

    In the last election, the PDP cleared the votes at the presidential, National Assembly and House of Assembly elections. The opposition only managed to win a seat in the House of Assembly. The members of the State Executive Council, board and parastatal me,ber and other political appointees at the local government levels are chieftains and supporters of the PDP. But, it appears that the APC is not intimidated by these scenarios.

    According to observers, Sylva is a factor in Bayelsa politics. As far back as 2003, he had thrown his hat into the ring and challenged former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to a duel. Although he was crushed at the primaries, he did not give up. In 2007, he also participated in the PDP primaries. He came second, trailing behind Dr. Jonathan, who had succeeded the impeached Governor Alamieyeseigha.

    Luck smiled on him when Dr. Jonathan emerged as the running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’ Adua. Since he came second at the primaries, he became the flag bearer. Sylva won the election, but the gulf between him and Dr. Jonathan deepened. For about five years that he called the shots, there was no love lost between him and the then President. In 2011, the Jonathan camp made up its mind that the curtain should be drawn on his tenure. Up came the House of Representatives member, Dickson, who had served as Commissioner for Justice when Dr. Jonathan was governor.

    Efforts by Sylva to re-assert himself in the Bayelsa PDP have been futile. His supporters complained about marginalisation and persecution. Even, when crisis broke out between the governor and the Abuja forces, Sylva did not profit from the imbroglio. Bayelsa has been the stronghold of the PDP and he believed that he had contributed to its success as a leader. However, when it was clear that he faced a bleak future in the party, he defected to the APC.

    Sylva’s defection from the PDP led, in part, to the decimation of the party. Scores of PDP chieftains followed suit, not necessarily in solidarity with Sylva, but in protest against alleged politics of exclusion by Dickson. The consequence of his defection meant that the PDP has an opposition leader to contend with. The PDP knew that trouble was looming.

    In the APC, Sylva’s profile rose. During the party congress, APC governors were rooting for him as a national chairmanship aspirant. Unlike Chief Tom Ikimi, who was a nominal contestant, the weight of the governors, who are state party leaders, could not be dismissed with a wave of the hand. Although the former governor stepped down, but the support base he garnered during the congress attested to his popularity. Therefore, when he joined the governorship primaries, he became the candidate to beat. His main challenger, Timi Alaibe, appeared formidable, but he was advised to step down so that the party could present a united front. After the first rancorous shadow poll conducted by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, reason prevailed. Peace has now returned to the chapter, following Sylva’s emergence as the candidate.

    But, what is Sylva’s chance at the poll? Analysts believe that he is contesting on the platform of a formidable party. As a former governor, he is also a formidable candidate. Unlike before, when elections in Bayelsa’s eight local governments were the exclusive preserve of PDP chieftains, the state has to contend with the existence of the APC, which is the ruling party at the centre. Besides, Sylva’s associate, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said that the former governor has a chance because the people of the state are yearning for change. He said Sylva is in the race to salvage Bayelsa from the yoke of incompetent and dishonest governance foisted on it by the PDP. “The responsibility to change the bad fortunes of Bayelsa State under the bondage of the PDP is one that must be accomplished,” he added.

    PDP sources disclosed that the party is not resting on its oars. They are fueling the sentiment that the PDP’s defeat in Bayelsa will translate into a big disgrace to Dr. Jonathan. In a bid not to leave anything to chance, Dickson and the Abuja forces have also closed ranks. Dr. Jonathan has openly endorsed the governor for a second term. His wife, Dame Jonathan, has also ceased hostility. Also, Chief Alamieyeseigha has been campaigning vigorously  for the governor’s second term ambition.

    Dickson has berated Sylva for overrating himself. He predicted failure for the APC, saying that Bayelsa will remain a PDP state. In reaction, Sylva Campaign Organisation has said that the over-confidence will herald his colossal electoral defeat . “Buokoribo said the outcome of the election will be shocking to the governor.

    But, in the governor’s view, the PDP is on the onslaught from a position of strength. He  said the defection from the PDP to the APC will not swing the pendulum of victory to the direction of the APC.  “The defection from the PDP to the APC in Bayelsa is not significant. Some chieftains have left in search of appointments at the federal level, leaving their key supporters behind in the PDP. There is none of them who has left who does not have an associate in our cabinet. They are going for selfish reasons,” he told reporters in Lagos.

    The governor also said that nothing has changed between the last election and now to warrant victory for the APC. Dickson disputed Sylva’s structure, saying that its foundation is porous. He said: “It should not be forgotten that Sylva was a senatorial candidate of his party in the last election and we knew its outcome. Outside the PDP, Bayelsa cannot accommodate these people. They are relying on thugs and cultists to cause commotion and run back to Lagos and Abuja. They can’t win this election.”

    Dickson challenged Sylva to a popularity walk. The governor also called for a free and fair election.  He said that, if performance is a criterion for wining, his achievements will see him thorough. He noted the allegation of exclusion against him by the defectors. But, he clarified that no member of the APC has ever accused him of corruption. “This means that I have been running a government of transparency and probity. My achievements will speak for me during tje election,” he added.

  • Bayelsa poll: Begin to prepare your handover notes, APC chair tells Dickson

    •Governor the man to beat- Aide

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC)) yesterday asked the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to start preparing his handover notes.

    APC said Dickson stood no chance of winning the poll, advising him to accept the reality in the state and begin the preparation to quit the Creek Haven Government House.

    The Chairman of the APC, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, said the APC is poised to win the December 5 governorship election in the state.

    Speaking in Yenagoa on Friday while receiving the Gold Award for Excellence from an Abuja-based African Peoples Voice Newspaper, the chairman said the primary election of the party would be a watershed in the political history of the state.

    He said: “On the September 22 primary of the APC, I want to assure the people of the state and Nigerians that Bayelsa will witness another success in the party.

    “It is going to be a very peaceful primary where every aspirant will be given a level-playing field to exercise their franchise and to aspire.

    “So, we are confident that the APC is prepared to win government and change all things that need to be changed. We will occupy Creek Haven soon.”

    He urged the people to massively support the APC in the quest to change the current administration in the state.

    He stated that APC remained the only viable platform available to the people of the state to realise their political destinies.

    “When we came on board, I told Bayelsa people that in a few months from that time, the All Progressives Congress flag was hoisted that the party would remain the only platform that would be available for every Bayelsan to achieve their ideals.

    “They were a bit sceptical then. But today, that statement is real, because I know the Peoples Democratic Party would shut their doors against them as they believe in selection and godfatherism.

    “But in the APC, we believe in internal democracy and level-playing field for all those who aspire to elective offices. Bayelsans have seen that in recent times that the APC is now the only party for them to dream if they want to dream, and aspire if they want to aspire.”

    In his remarks, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, APVN, Mr. Samson Olayinka, said the award was given to Orunimighe because he had been found to have demonstrated a sense of integrity over the years.

    But reacting, the Media Consultant to Governor Dickson, Francis Agbo, said the governor will win the December 5 poll, adding that the governor’s track records in the state have endeared him to the people.

    “Governor Dickson is the man to win the December 5 polls because he has redefined governance, rebranded the state and Ijaw nation, and above all, delivered on his campaign promise to Bayelsans.

    “This track record of Governor Dickson has further endeared the governor to the masses, the critical stakeholders and the grandmasters of Bayelsa polititics, for which they have resolved to return him to Creek Haven.

    “The promoters of APC in the state are disconnected from the ordinary people. They only bask in the euphoria of using federal might to win election and federal might has always failed here in Bayelsa.”

  • Delta poll: Tribunal admits election results as evidence

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday, failed to stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, from presenting the governorship election result sheets used in the April 11 election from the 25 local government areas.

    The APC candidate approached the tribunal, challenging the election of Okowa of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

    At the resumed hearing on Friday, APC’s lawyer, Thompson Okpoko (SAN), while examining his witness, Ore Ohimor, said he would tender forms EC8A, EC8D and EC8E, that is, the state, local government and unit-by-unit election result sheets for the 25 local government areas.

    But Ken Mozie (SAN), lawyer to Okowa, opposed the moved.

    The lawyer argued that the documents sought to be tendered were not neither pleaded nor listed in the witnesses’ statement on oath.

    He averred that the documents listed in the witnesses’ statement on oath are: forms EC8D and EC8E, not form EC8A.

    Mozie said any attempt to tender form EC8A would amount to subverting due process and obtaining justice through the backdoor.

    He said: “We object to the admissibility of these documents. The fundamental foundational requirements were not met. In paragraph 14 of the witnesses’ statement, only forms EC8D and EC8E were pleaded. In their reply to our reply, it was not pleaded; no reference was made to the document sought to be tendered. Therefore, listing the document will not cure it, if it was not accommodated in their pleading.”

    Counsel to PDP, Timothy Kehinde (SAN), noted that it was an elementary principle of law to put the parties on notice and not by surprise.

    The lawyer said the document sought to be tendered should be specifically pleaded.

    He said an “unpleaded” document cannot be admitted even when the document was mentioned in the witnesses’ statement.

    According to him, the document was not mentioned in the witnesses’ statement on oath; neither was it pleaded.

    INEC’s lawyer, O. Anumonye, averred that “the document sought to be tendered by APC and Emerhor were not referred to in the witnesses’ deposition”.

    He added: “Having pleaded over voting by tendering forms EC8D and form EC8E, pleading form EC8A will constitute springing a surprise.”

    But Okpoko said Form EC8A was listed among the documents to be tendered, adding that the documents were identified on paragraphs seven and eight of the petition.

  • Council poll: Aspirant denies quitting race

    A chairmanship aspirant at the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, Babatunde Okeyomi, has denied quitting the race.

    He described as rumours the news that he has opted out of the race.

    According to a statement signed by Okeyomi, (aka Carry-Go), the news was a figment of the imagination of those behind it.

    Addressing his supporters at Alakuko, the aspirant said he is well prepared for the job, adding that as a loyal and committed party member, he will not waiver in his commitment to ensure that his party wins the chairmanship seat in the area.

    He said: “Our respected party leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, had advised me, and other aspirants to avoid acrimonies and quarrels in our quest for any elective office, and I stand by that admonition.

    “As a loyal party member, and one who has invested so much into the development of Ojokoro community, I will always abide by the rules and regulations of our party; I won’t disappoint any of you, as I have mapped out my winning strategies, including getting the endorsement of our highly-respected party.”

    Some of the youths said their supports for Okeyomi were borne out of their conviction that he has good plans for the council.

    One of the youths, Kehinde Joseph, described Okeyomi as a “visionary and humane politician, who has been empowering us over the years; we will resist the imposition of any unpopular person.”

  • Wike fails to stop inspection of poll materials

    Wike fails to stop inspection of poll materials

    The Rivers State governorship election petitions tribunal has rejected the prayer by Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the governorship election, Dakuku Peterside, from inspecting election materials.

    The tribunal, yesterday, dismissed Wike’s motion, seeking, among others, an order staying the execution of the June 11, 2015, leave granted the petitioners (APC and Peterside) to conduct forensic inspection of materials, pending Wike’s appeal.

    The petitioners, were, by the June 11 ruling, required to inspect and obtain certified true copies of the materials, to be tendered as exhibits in support of their case that the election was marred by irregularities.

    The tribunal held that Wike’s motion was deemed abandoned because his lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), chose to “dilly-dally” when given the opportunity to move it on Monday.

    “The motion is deemed abandoned. He (Ukala) preferred to dilly-dally with the case. It is our considered view that in the circumstance the motion will not be determined on merit and same is hereby struck out,” tribunal Chairman Justice Mu’azu Pindiga said.

    It also dismissed another motion by Wike, asking the  tribunal to strike out the witness statements on oath made by some witnesses.

    In another ruling, the tribunal refused the petitioners’ motion for an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transfer materials used for the election to Abuja for ease of inspection.

    The petitioners had complained that INEC was working with Wike and the PDP to frustrate their inspection despite the order it granted on June 11.

    It said granting the motion would amount to it (the tribunal) varying its June 11 order allowing the petitioners to inspect materials, noting that they did not file any motion seeking to vary the order.

    The tribunal also refused another motion by the petitioners seeking an order directing that notices of preliminary objections, filed or intended to be filed, by the respondents, should only be allowed in their final written addresses.

    The tribunal held that the motion had been overtaken by event, because some of such notices of preliminary objection had been heard and decided.

    It rejected a motion by INEC for an order striking out the reply of the petitioners to its (INEC’s) response to the petition.

    Justice Pindiga, who adjourned till next Monday, said two pending applications by INEC and Wike would be heard during hearing of the main petition.

  • Oyo governorship poll: Lawyers fault exhibits tendered by Ladoja

    Oyo governorship poll: Lawyers fault exhibits tendered by Ladoja

    •Accord’s lawyer slumps in court

    Lawyers to defendants in the governorship petition filed by Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord party against the election of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi have faulted the “several inconsistencies” in the evidences tendered by the ex-governor before the tribunal handling the suit.

    Ladoja is challenging the election of Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the tribunal.

    He joined the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju, as co-respondents.

    Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) is the lawyer for Ajimobi and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) represents the APC. Sikiru Sanni represents the INEC and Mr. Richard Ogunwole (SAN) is counsel to Ladoja and Accord.

    The “inconsistencies” were discovered during cross-examination of the star witness, Bimbo Adepoju, at the weekend.

    Lawyers to APC, INEC and Akeju identified discrepancies in the figures entered in the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) form from the INEC and the record of analysis made by the witness.

    A total of 192 documents had been tendered and marked ‘exhibits’ by the tribunal.

    Adepoju had earlier affirmed in court that his exhibits were error-free.

    But the counsels to the respondents referred him to “various errors, unsubstantiated and inconsistent claims and contradictory facts contained in his exhibits”.

    For instance, the number of total valid votes, total votes cast and the number of rejected votes in the chief witness’ analyses were faulted as inconsistent with the figures he recorded in forms EC8A as an expert that analysed INEC materials used during the governorship election.

    Adepoju added that the inconsistencies grew from the figures in the PVCs used for collation analysis in the EC8A.

    The total votes cast with the valid and invalid votes in some records of analysis done by the witness were different from those in the INEC Form EC8A.

    In Iludero Unit of Atiba Local Government for example, 501 votes were recorded in the witness’ analysis. It was 489 in the Form.

    A total of 611 votes were recorded for Ward six in Akinyele Local Government whereas there was no voter register available.

    In Oyo West, total votes cast was 258 and it was 161 in the form.

    In Ibadan North Unit 005, 317 votes were recorded in the witness’ analysis, but 185 appeared in the form. Total rejected votes in the analysis of Oyo West Unit 001 was three, but it was 44 in the INEC form.

    Taking his turn, Akeredolu (SAN) told the tribunal that the analysis done by the witness and the party was inconsistent with the exhibits provided.

    But the witness insisted that some forms such as the incident form, which validates his claim, were not released to him by INEC.

    But tragedy was averted at the weekend as Mr. Biodun AbdulRaheem, the lead counsel to Accord’s candidate in March 28 House of Representatives election in Ibadan North East / Ibadan South East Federal Constituency, Mr. Olugbenga Adewusi, slumped during a tribunal sitting in the Oyo State capital.

    He was, however, revived by a team of lawyers led by Adebayo Mutalubi, the former Commissioner for Justice and counsel to the defendant, Dapo Lam-Adesina.

    Mutalubi was said to have rushed to attend to Abdul-Raheem  after another lawyer, I.O Opeyemi, drew the attention of the tribunal to Abdul-Raheem’s unconscious state.

    He was led out of the court by other lawyers. The plaintiff’s counsel later asked his driver to take him to his doctor.