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  • Anambra poll: Does Obiano deserve second term?

    Anambra poll: Does Obiano deserve second term?

    The crisis in the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has remained unsolved, despite the intervention of the judiciary.

    The order of Mandamus which handed the party to senator Martins Agbaso from Imo State has really compounded the issues.

    But, the embattled National Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, still parades himself as the authentic chairman.

    Recently, the National Executive Council (NEC), led by former Minister of Information and Communications, Labaran Maku visited Anambra state.

    The NEC emphatically declared that the party does not recognise Agbaso as its National Chairman, describing him as a ‘stranger’ in the party.

    It said Oye was elected by the party alongside his executives, adding that APGA would not recognise anybody coming to impose himself on the party through the back door.

    The confusion has affected the popularity of the party in Anambra state, barely four months away from the November 18, governorship election.

    Besides, certain questions are being thrown up among observers; will Governor Willie Obiano retain the ticket of the party?

    Has he really done well to deserve a second term in Anambra, despite pressures from opposition?

    What is the fate of Dr. Elo Aforka, one-time special Adviser to the governor, who has thrown his hat to the ring for the governorship ticket of the party?

    Is Obiano in the camp of Agbaso or Oye or he romances both? Is the governor actually making moves to join another party, ahead of the election?

    The thinking in the state is that Obiano deserves a second term, having done well since he took over from former governor Peter Obi.

    His prominent achievement, according to observers, is the sacking of the dreaded kidnappers and armed robbers in the state.

    Anambra state has become a major producer of rice and a major exporter of vegetables from large farms in the state.

    Despite the criticisms that had trailed three flyovers erected by the Obiano administration, they have changed the aesthetics of the capital city.

    The administration has lighted up the major roads and streets in the state, including the federal road between Amawbia and Amansea, among others.

    But, the APGA crisis giving the state government headaches on daily basis.

    The governor’s dream of getting the ticket to actualise his ambition of second term is still hanging in the balance.

    Though he is the board of trustees (BoT) chairman of the party, The Nation gathered that his relationship with the Agbaso-led executive is not cordial.

    The opposition parties want to capitalise on the crisis in APGA during the election, knowing that the party will have problem of harmonisation.

    None of the parties has scheduled its primary, which is supposed to hold before the end of August as stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The only battle Obiano is facing is the number of appointments he has made from his Aguleri community.

    The appointments have not helped him in any way. rather, they have led to name calling, while the appointees have brought anguish to his administration.

    The appointees from Aguleri do things with impunity without the knowledge of the governor and they have shielded the governor from being seen by other people, thereby creating enemies for him.

    Some political big wigs in the state, who spoke with The Nation, described Obiano as a straight forward person, who is not cunning.    They see him as a large hearted leader; such commendations are even coming from opposition.

    Apart from some of the things done by the governor, a lot of roads are being constructed in communities in the state through the 20 million naira development funds given to them.

    The money has been increased to N40 million to each of the 177 communities that had finished the first phase of their projects.

    Though, some opposition platforms see it as campaign strategy by the APGA government ahead of November 18 governorship election, but it has lifted virtually all the communities in the state.

    Currently, APGA, Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), United People’s Party (UPP), All Progressive Congress (APC), Hope Democratic Party (HDP) are the parties making waves.

    Despite many rivers to cross by the party, the state government is not relenting in making sure that Obiano wins.

    The first lady Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano and her team had visited the communities sensitizing the people on the good projects of the government.

    For the Chairman of Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Lolo Oby Kate Okafor, “the governor in the state has done well for the people, but he has to give chance for our party come November 18, 2017”.

    But the publicity secretary of the (APC), Okelo Madukeife, said Obiano has failed Anambra and therefore, should pack his bags and baggage from the Agu-Awka house.

    Aforka, while speaking with The Nation in Awka, claimed that Obiano has killed APGA structure at ward and local government levels.

    He alleged that few day ago that the governor summoned a meeting of immediate past local government chairmen, adding that his message was simple, that the people should work with him in his second term project.

    According to Aforka, “I want to clearly condemn the over bearing interference of the governor with local government funds and administration”

    He said he was optimistic that the APGA leadership, would enthrone good leadership and party politics once again come November 18 in Anambra.

    It is not going to be an easy ride for any of the political parties during the election. But, the waiting game continues till after the party’s primaries in next month.

     

  • Group seeks violence-free poll

    A socio-civic group, the Progressive Solidarity Forum (PSF), has called for a violence-free election on Saturday.

    A statement by its Director of Information, Media and Publicity Mr Olalekan Adigun, said many residents were worried about the likelihood of post-election violence.

    Adigun said PSF would not fold its hands and allow “lawless elements to disrupt the peace the state is enjoying.”

    The group said it was working with divisional police stations, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to ensure a hitchfree exercise. It called on the electorate to cooperate with the PSF and the security agencies to provide information on suspicious movements to the police or other security agencies.

    “We are deploying election monitors, observers and agents to all the 57 councils in the state to monitor the poll. All our representatives are going to be given tags and other means of identification,” he said.

  • Lagos poll: APC should unite, says Seriki

    Lagos poll: APC should unite, says Seriki

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Akanni Seriki has urged members to unite as they warm up for the local government elections.

    He said: “We have no other party than the APC. When the situation is like this, we should forget our personal interests and endorse our collective aspiration.”

    Seriki, a party leader from Epe Division, added: “I am calling for peace and unity so that we can survive under our party. There will be adjustments later. Not all of us can be chairmen and councilors at the same time.”

    He noted the complaints that have trailed the selection of party flag bearers for the local government elections, saying that the large number of contenders posed a serious challenge.

    Seriki called for loyalty, saying that the party is big to accommodate the interests of its members. However, he warned against “a certain and dangerous tendency” of conceding leadership to new comers, who, he said, were throwing stones at the progressive bloc when they were members of the conservative platform.

    He said: “I have been a consistent politician. But, some people who have traversed all the political parties in the world have now returned and trying to dominate us in the APC. I object to this in Epe Division.”

    Seriki described himself as an acknowledged leader of the APC in the division, stressing that his contributions and achievements are verifiable.

    He stressed: “As a leader of Epe APC, I have produced a Speaker of House of Assembly, commissioners and a governor. Anyone who will achieve more than me will have to install a president. I have my good name. I am opposed to falsehood and blackmail in politics. They are not god virtues. I have been able to groom credible leaders for Epe. Other leaders coming up should emulate me.”

    Seriki hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for living up to expectation, adding that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu deserved credit for his foresight.

    He added: “Governor Ambode is doing well. His projects are well spread across the three districts, in terms of roads, bridges, security, education. In two years, he has justified the confidence reposed in him. The impact of his works is felt all over the state.

    “”I thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for grooming a leader from Epe. Ambode has not let us down. We should be praying for the governor. We should also pray for Tinubu. We should always rally round them.”

  • Osun West poll: Adeleke’s victory excites Makarfi, Sheriff

    Osun West poll: Adeleke’s victory excites Makarfi, Sheriff

    •Adeleke: my victory gives hope to Osun PDP in 2018 poll

    The victory of Mr Ademola Adeleke in Saturday’s  Osun West senatorial district by-election appear to have renewed hopes in the two factions of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ali Modu Sheriff’s leadership and the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party have continued to bask in the euphoria of the PDP candidate’s victory.

    In a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the Makarfi group, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party described the victory as a reflection of the reawakening of Nigerians to the alleged deceit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    Makarfi mocked the APC, saying the electorate in Osun State rejected the ruling party.

    The statement said: “The people have spoken with one voice and we know that Ademola Adeleke will deliver on his promises to the people.

    “The successful outcome of this election is an evidence of hard work, dedication and the unity of all members of the PDP in Osun State who buried temporary differences in the overall interest of the party and the good people of Osun State.

    “We are confident that without the interference of the APC in the current leadership issues in our party, the PDP remains the party to beat in all elections in Nigeria.

    “Even as we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we urge our members to unite in the interest of Nigerians to rid the country of the horrible APC government.

    “Finally, we congratulate the people of Osun West for coming out en mass to vote for our candidate and for their peaceful conduct during the election. We also congratulate our members in Osun State for this important victory.”

    In a separate statement, the party’s National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo, said the outcome of the poll reflected the wishes of the electorate.

    Oladipo hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate for the peaceful conduct of the poll.

    The party’s secretary noted that the peaceful conduct of the by-election rekindled hope in the nation’s electoral system.

    He said the PDP’s candidate won the election, despite all odds and the power of incumbency “nakedly displayed” by the APC-controlled state government.

    Oladipo attributed the victory to the absence of impunity through which Adeleke was elected, adding that PDP’s leadership refused to impose a candidate for the election.

    The statement added: “We have to thank all the stakeholders in the bye election for their peaceful conduct and for allowing the votes of the electorate to count this time around -no tales of inconclusive election.

    “We are very happy as a political party. The outcome of the election reflected the wishes of the Osun West senatorial district electorate.

    “INEC’s officials, security agencies and the electorate, by their exemplary conduct, have made a great contribution to deepening our hard-earned democracy.

    “The future of the country is very bright if INEC will continue to handle future elections in the country as it did in the Osun by-election.”

    Senator-elect for Osun West Senatorial District, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday said his victory in last Saturday’s by-election brought hope to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s governorship election in the state.

    He also said his victory on the platform of the PDP was a testament that Nigerian democracy was alive.

    Addressing reporter in Ede, Adeleke said Nigerians must allow democracy to continue to grow as the people of Osun State have demonstrated in the by-election.

    The senator-elect said his victory proved that the power of incumbency could be defeated at the poll, if there was a collective will to achieve a good purpose.

    He said: “The PDP’s victory in the election was a glimmer of hope and light in the party. It would surely shine forth and pave way for another victory yet again in the forthcoming governorship election in the state next year as well as the general election in 2019.

    “My middle name, Nurudeen, means light (in Arabic); in Yoruba, it means Imole. So, my new position as a senator would bring light to Osun State and Osun West constituency for dividends of democracy. With light, the darkness pervading the land and poverty and backwardness among our people would be over.

    “I promise to tread on my late brother’s people-oriented path. I will toe his path the way he cared for the less privileged through empowerment programmes and put smiles on their faces. I have learnt enough from him.”

    Adeleke announced a N250 million scholarship for the education of indigent children in his constituency.

    He said the scholarship would soon be shared equally among the 10 local government areas in Osun West.

  • Council poll’ll be walkover for APC, says Rep

    Council poll’ll be walkover for APC, says Rep

    A member of the House of Representatives, Jide Jimoh, has said Lagos State Governor  Akinwunmi Ambode’s sterling performance would make it impossible for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to win any seat during the July 22 local government election.

    “The coming council poll will be a walkover in favour of our great party, All Progressive Congress (APC), it will be a no march and it will be just a mere formality,” he said.

    Jimoh, who is representing the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, described Ambode’s achievements as, “superlative, outstanding and out of this world.”

    According to him, PDP will have difficulty in persuading the people of Lagos to vote for its candidates with what Ambode has put on ground in terms of infrastructure, job creation, security apparatus and social welfare.

    The governor, he said, also carries all stakeholders along in the running of government.

    The lawmaker urged Lagosians to vote en masse for the APC, reminding them that, “it is through that, that the efforts of Governor Ambode to bring more democracy dividends to the people’s door step will be a reality.

    “It is payback time for the good work he has been doing and which he still does,” Jimoh pointed out just as he wants the Lagos residents to vote for all the APC candidates as a sign of appreciation for Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s satisfactory performance.

  • 2015 poll: ‘Diezani gave N264m cash to bribe INEC officials’

    2015 poll: ‘Diezani gave N264m cash to bribe INEC officials’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos was told yesterday that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adegoyin, received N264million from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly to change the result of the 2015 general election.

    A prosecution witness, Timothy Olaobaju, said the money was paid to Nwosu and Adedoyin in cash.

    He was testifying while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo in the trial of Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir before Justice Idris.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused them of receiving gratification from the former minister.

    Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Olaobaju, who was his bank’s head of operations in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said he paid the Nwosu and Adedoyin the cash based on Mrs Alison-Madueke’s instructions.

    “I was the Head of Operations for Ilorin Branch. I had cause to meet Nwosu and Adedoyin. Sometime in 2015, there was a meeting between our Managing Director and the former Petroleum Minister during which she explained that some companies and individuals would come to the bank to pay some money into some accounts.

    “The companies were Northern Belt Ltd, Actus Integrated Ltd, Midwestern Company and one Mr Leno Laitan. In addition, she said certain individuals would bring some cash to be kept for her.

    “A total sum of $89million was paid into the accounts. Cash sums of $25million was brought, totalling $114million. The money was kept in the bank pending her instruction as agreed.

    “On March 26, 2014, we got instruction that the money should be converted to naira. After it was converted, it was about N23billion. There was a list of beneficiaries that was sent, to be paid across the 36 states of the federation, including Kwara. I handled the transactions in my branch,” the witness.

    He said the defendants came to his office to collect the cash payment, and that he only acted on instruction.

    “There was an instruction that Nwosu and Adedoyin be paid N264,880,000. The instruction came from the head office based on instruction from Mrs Alison-Madueke and they were paid. They signed a receipt of payment for the money they collected,” Olaobaju said.

    Olaobaju said after the defendants were paid, they left with the cash and did not pay it into any account.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel Obinna Okereke and Nelson Imoh, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the payment.

    “The only instruction we had was that they should bring means of identification and should be paid. They even waited for the money to be released to them. We did not know the purpose of the payment,” he said.

    Olaobaju said he did not hand over the money to Bashir, and never met Mrs Alison-Madueke; nor was he at the meeting where she gave the instructions.

    “The instruction we received was through our Divisional Head of Operations who reports to the MD,” he added.

    Justice Idris adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

  • Anambra poll: I will serve a term, says aspirant

    Anambra poll: I will serve a term, says aspirant

    Former Secretary to the Anambra Statee Government Hon. Oseloka Obaze is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he speaks on his ambition, the PDP crisis and Igbo agitations. 

    What are your chances in the governorship primary of your party?

    We are well known and acknowledged by the people across Anambra State. The grassroots and the elite alike appreciate fully our past service and unfettered commitment to good governance. The electioneering is yet to commence. when we arrive at that juncture, we should be able to showcase a governance platform, which should make us the most credible alternative and leadership choice.

    From which zone will you choose your running mate? Do you already have anyone in mind?

    Inclusive democracy is about consensus and consultations. We will cross the bridge of selecting a running mate when we get there. Be assured that the choice will be very credible and a good governance partner; not a subordinate or in the local parlance a deputy who is just a “spare tire.”

    Do you have confidence that PDP crisis will be settled soon to pave way for the party’s primary and emergence of a flag bearer?

    I’m by nature an optimist; and by training a problem solver and conflict resolution practitioner. But, I’m also a realist. When a conflict is not ripe for resolution, any forced attempt will fail. But, when the cost of collective failure outweighs the cost of individual success, people tend to come around. There is still ample room to rally the forces, and the key PDP players in Anambra are hard at work to find a mutually acceptable solution.

    Are you confident that you will eventually emerge as the flag bearer?

    If you go enter the finals of any competition with your second team or third team you risk losing. If you put forth the best or most qualified and most credible player or candidate, your chances of success becomes greater. Without any disrespect to those who have been “in the party for so many years” as you said: Did they deliver? Did they win? If they did, the party won’t be outside the government now. There is your answer. My hope is that we can rally all party players to a consensus and that the key players especially the recurring aspirants won’t become spoilers.

    The PDP is still in disarray, whither your candidacy should the crisis continues?

    Be kind to save that question and ask me the same on 18thNovember 2017 morning.

    In Anambra North, where you comes from, even the traditional rulers are consistent in saying Obiano is their candidate and he should be returned. what is your take on this?

    You engage in collectivized assertion and attribution. Who are these people? Are they the same people I’m consulting and talking to? Or are they the hirelings that parrot the master’s voice for crumbs off his table. You must understand that we are in a recession. People need to eat; but they do have conscience. Moreover, I’m least perturbed by such utterances, by people who are unconnected with their grassroots and have never secured victory at their respective polling booths. Anyway, politics for me is not and will never be a zero sum game. As our people say, “you count the miles after the race.”

    You served under Obiano, what are you going to correct now that you did not do then?

    Yes, I served well, loyally, honestly and diligently. 1 offered unvarnished advice and counsel. Yet, every leader brings to public office his vision, style and political and leadership DMA. Purposeful leadership is about management style, focus and a full grasp of the imperatives of good governance. If you know how to make institutions function efficiently, that’s half the battle; if you don’t, then you will have to grapple with a dysfunctional government. So it’s not a matter of correction as it is a stylistic and operational. We will offer accountability, cost-efficient optimization of institutions, full adherence to extant laws and due process, and unfettered service delivery all within available resources. We will make grassroots development and the efficacy of our local government and municipal council system the cornerstone of our governance. We will hold local government elections as required by the Constitution.

    The governor has not been using the Government House. What will be your approach when elected? 

    That the primary entrance to the Government House Complex is permanently locked does not mean there is a lockdown. It could be for security reason. It might also be indicative of the low energy and feebleness of government. I don’t know; so you may need to redirect these questions to the State authorities.

    Will you return power to the South District in 2022, if you win the election?

    I certainly will. I have to honour any deal made by our zone or by me in that regard. That is the only way to begin to reshape our politics and dispense with the notion that you can’t trust politicians. Moreover, I’m a student of politics and history; we are witnesses in this country to what happens when deals and promises are not kept. By 2022 Anambra North would have completed eight years; there should be room for others to contest.

    What is your manifesto? Can you share it with us?

    I will unveil my manifesto at the appropriate time. It’s very simple to understand and similarly simple to operationalize. It will deliver good governance in every sense of the word. With it, those in government will work for the people and not for special or vested interests. There will be accountability and transparency in government and we will put our people back to work. I will not disclose the key elements now, since we have noticed that people in the other camps appropriate my policy ideas and policy recommendations without the decency of giving us any credit.

    A new political party, the Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), has just been formed. Where does the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of which you seek to use to actualize your dream stand in all these?

    Party politics is about accommodation and convergence of ideas, more so, where our parties are not ideologically based. The beauty of democracy is pluralism and broad representation. All the fuss about a meagre party fizzled. The registration of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) may yet prove propitious; it has some well-known backers. It if it is sufficiently inclusive will attract broad following, ft will certainly feature prominently in the 2017 elections. The more parties there are, the wider the choices and the stronger our democracy.

    Nigeria is at the cross roads again with the quit notice issued Igbo by Northern Youth Congress. Can this be the rumored prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate?

    I pray that Nigeria does not implode. As a nation, we are conversant with political brinksmanship; but we must not overplay our hands. It’s never wise to play with fire standing next to a tinderbox. It is up to the Nigeria political leadership not to allow the present political rascality to translate into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    There is so much tension due to sectional agitation. would you subscribe to the Call for a national discourse?

    Nigerians must talk to each other. There is too much grandstanding and triumphalism going on. In the life of any nation, holding national conversations is routine. You don’t wait to arrive to a tipping point before you engage your citizens fully. The ‘Vet’s wait-and-see attitude” could easily backfire. As regards the ongoing agitation, the reality is that Biafra as a word, in spirit or in history will not evaporate. Neither will Nigeria. The demands for restructuring or any of its other synonymous sobriquets boils down to three words and aspirations; equity, fairness and justice. Such goals ought not to be too hard to attain or extended to those who feel aggrieved in any way. Yet we have become so sectional that patriotism and national interest are badly eroded.

  • ‘I didn’t issue statement on Lagos council poll’

    The Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has urged the media and the public to disregard a statement purportedly issued by him on the state’s APC primaries.

    He said the statement was a forgery and the figment of the imaginations of its writers.

    Igbokwe said: “I read with utmost consternation, the statement allegedly issued by me, warning candidates for the forthcoming councillorship and chairmanship election in Lagos and whose names have gone to the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) that they may be changed anytime.

    “I wonder on what premise I could have issued such a horrific statement, given that I am a well-known party man who abides by the party’s rules and regulations. Even as the cowards who hacked that issued that statement did not mention me in their statement, by issuing same in the name of State Publicity Secretary, they inferred that I issued such press statement which is false, deceitful, dangerous and reckless.

    “I wonder why anybody who has any issue with the party’s primaries cannot muster enough courage to state same rather than hide under cowardly masks to issue a false statement and credit same to me. That proves that they are hideous characters who can adopt any foul means to achieve their evil intent. I denounce such tactics as it does not show courageous and faithful party men. I believe that like in any contest, primaries are bound to throw up diverse reactions but I also believe the party has enough in-built mechanisms to tackle these challenges. Why some people will be hiding behind others to manufacture and trade bare lies to achieve their detestable purposes still confounds me…”

  • Lagos local govt poll: ‘APC didn’t impose candidates’

    Lagos local govt poll: ‘APC didn’t impose candidates’

    The All Progressives Congress has denied an allegation that it imposed candidates on its members ahead of the July 22 local government elections in Lagos State, describing the allegation as a ploy devised by the opposition to snatch its members.

    Speaking in Lagos at a youth forum organised by Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, the APC chairmanship candidate for Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Hon. Sesan Sowande, said no single candidate was imposed in the Lagos local council primaries.

    Sowande said:“The APC as a party, is guided by its constitution and also has high regards for popular views among its members.

    “As a party, we had primary elections and as permitted by the constitution, we give room for complaints and once it is established that a particular complaint is genuine, we promptly address it in the spirit of justice and fairness.”

    He also debunked insinuations that certain party chieftains influenced the choice of chairmanship candidates in the party, saying, “It is a ploy devised by the opposition parties to snatch our members; knowing it is an allegation that can bring up emotions.”

    Sowande said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would carry out all the party’s programmes designed to empower the youths, stressing, “now that we are clearing the mess that we met in the system, and that the economy is gradually stabilising, all our promises to the youths will be met.”

    Speaking, Okeyomi, the Ojokoro APC chairmanship candidate, promised to create 700 jobs for the youths in his first 100 days in office, if elected.

    “A lot of people have asked me to explain how I will achieve this but I’ll rather keep the strategy close to my chest; but once elected, rest assured that I will create 700 jobs for the youths in my first 100 days in the office,” he assured.

    Okeyomi also said he had plans to buy shoes and bags for all primary school pupils in the LCDA and also, give grants to indigent petty traders.

    Besides, he hinted that having travelled widely, he would use his influence to bring in foreign investors to establish industries in Ojokoro LCDA.

  • Kogi West poll: Senator demands probe of judge, Melaye

    Kogi West poll: Senator demands probe of judge, Melaye

    Senator Smart Adeyemi, who represented Kogi West for two terms, yesterday demanded a probe of the alleged telephone conversation between Justice Akon Ikpeme and Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) – his successor.

    Adeyemi said he sensed a foul play in the way his election petition was struck out by Justice Ikpeme-led Election Petition Tribunal.

    Adeyemi, who made the demands at a briefing in Abuja, pleaded with the Chief Justice of the Federation and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to probe the alleged audio tape of the conversation.

    He said: “I hereby call for a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities – that is, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council( NJC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission( ICPC) and the Directorate for State Security Service( DSS).

    “Like I mentioned earlier, I am of the opinion that we have people of high integrity in the Judiciary. However, just like there is a Judas in every 12, some people of questionable character may want to infiltrate the ranks of our incorruptible judges and ministers in the hallowed temple of Justice.

    “I hold the view that members of the Justice Akon Ikpeme-led panel have the burden to come out and prove their innocence to the world, especially as touching on the recent leaked telephone conversation between Justice Ikpeme and a litigant in her tribunal in the person of Dino Melaye. Nigerians are watching and waiting.”

    He added: “I am not in doubt that money and other extraneous unethical considerations played an active role in the various rulings of the Justice Ikpeme-led panel in favour of Dino Melaye. If my brother Dino denies the audio clip, let him look at the mirror before him, the person will appear. For two years, I kept praying to God to make a show of shame of all conspirators against me at the tribunal. By the power of God, more revelations will still come!”

    Adeyemi said he was demanding for the probe to avert a recurrence of abuse of the judicial process in the future.

    He added: “Whether the audio recording was genuine or not.  Let the communication firms be involved to track this conversation. We need forensic experts to get to the roots of this alleged bribe saga.

    “For two years, I kept mute because I had no evidence to prove but I know God will intervene and expose those behind the electoral fraud in Kogi West Senatorial District. The release of the audio clip has shown that a lot went wrong.

    “The redress is to make sure that tomorrow nobody will be thinking of bribing a judge. It is not about winning this case; it is about helping Nigerian judiciary. If this thing can happen to me as a senator, what is the hope for the common man.”

    Asked if the judiciary decided not to probe the audio tape, Adeyemi said: “I have the assurance of God that we have not heard the last word. I know there will be more revelations.

    “You don’t have to be a judge to know that the results have been tampered. Can any judge accept mutilated results? I swallowed the bitter.

    “Though, we know that there is an end to litigation and this particular petition has been decided one way or the other yet, the following are pertinent factual and moral records of what transpired at the tribunal, which are now questions for Justice Ikpeme and her team to answer, in order to erase the misconception (if any) of corruption, which hovers around them and to save the image and integrity of the judiciary.

    “The tribunal ordered a recount of the ballot papers and it was discovered that 2500 void votes were counted for Dino Melaye to be declared winner of the election. Why was no action taken on this finding?

    “That there were mutilation /cancellation on the faces of all the results sheets delivered by INEC.

    “That there are many wards of the senatorial district, whose results the INEC officials deliberately refused to collate and enter on the final result sheet. These wards are spread across the four local government areas of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Ijumu Local Government, Kogi Local Government and Lokoja Local Government.

    “That the Justice Ikpeme-led panel accepted a sheet of paper, as report of primaries in the face of an authentic report of primaries brought and tendered during the hearing of the petition by INEC officials.

    “That Justice Ikpeme gave probative value to a sheet of paper as reports of primaries tendered by a youth corps member allegedly coming from INEC office Abuja without an identity card.”

    But Melaye had also said he won his election in a free and fair manner and will defeat Adeyemi any day.

    He said: “This is not a matter of boast, I have defeated him and I will also defeat him, even if election is conducted 100 times, provided the election is free and fair.”

    One of Melaye’s ardent supporters said Adeyemi was chasing shadows.

    He said: “Adeyemi lost to Melaye because he failed to follow due process in pursuing his petition.

    “Justice Ikpeme said Adeyemi ran foul of the Electoral Act in filing reply to the 1st respondent’s response out of time

    “Ikpeme also held that for failing to apply for Form TF001 for pre-hearing session within the stipulated seven days, the tribunal was of the view that the petitioner had failed to apply for the issuance of the form.

    “She said pursuance of other issues relating to Adeyemi’s  petition could only amount to ‘mere academic exercise’.”