Imo Guber: PDP Calls For Uzodinma, APC’s Disqualification Over Fake Video

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Governor Hope Uzodimma and the All Progressives Congress (APC) just 24 hours before the Imo governorship election. This demand comes in response to the alleged involvement of the APC and Governor Uzodimma in creating and disseminating a fake video against PDP’s Imo state governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.  The PDP, through its national publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, labelled the video as “barbaric and shameful,” accusing Governor Uzodimma of stooping to new lows to mislead the people of Imo. The PDP claims that the fabricated video is a manifestation of Governor Uzodimma’s fear of Senator Anyanwu’s popularity, prompting him to employ deceitful tactics to undermine the opposition candidate’s chances in the election. Commending the swift response of TVC, which was allegedly misrepresented in the fake video, the PDP reiterated its support for Senator Anyanwu, dismissing the video as entirely false. The party called on the people of Imo state to disregard the misleading content. The PDP suggested that if anyone should withdraw from the race, it should be Governor Uzodimma, accusing him of showing a lack of readiness for a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent election.  The party urged INEC to disqualify the APC and Governor Uzodimma, citing their reported involvement in producing and circulating the fake video as a gross violation of electoral laws.

Bayelsa Guber: Suit Seeking Timipire Sylva’s Disqualification Dismissed 

The Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify former Petroleum Resources Minister, Timipire Sylva from contesting in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State. Justice Inyang Ekwo, while dismissing the suit instituted against the All Progressive Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Sylvia, held that it was lacking in merit and wants of enough meat to warrant disqualification. According to the judgement, the plaintiff, Hon Isikima Ogbomade Johnson failed to establish the allegation that the APC did not conduct a lawful primary election that produced Sylva. The court insisted that the INEC’s report was clear beyond any doubt that a valid primary election was conducted by APC and monitored by the electoral umpire as required by law. On the police reports tendered by the plaintiff which claimed that no primary election was conducted by APC, Justices Ekwo said that the purported police reports were worthless and products of illegality because police were not mandated by any provisions of law to do what they did in favour of the plaintiff. The Judge, among others, faulted the police reports for not being on police letter head papers to give it semblance of originality while he also said that the duty of police at primary elections is to give protection and safety to election materials and voters. Besides, Justice Ekwo held that most of the documents brought by the plaintiff were done through the back doors in disregard to the well known established procedures. Also, the court rejected the suit because it was not instituted within 14  days the subject matter occurred, hence, it became academic matter adding that since court is not an academic institution, it would not dabble into such a matter. “In all, I find the case of the plaintiff to be weak having not been established by preponderance of evidence as required by law. “In the same vein, the case of the plaintiff, having been demolished by overwhelming exhibits tendered by APC and Timipire Sylva, has no legs to stand upon in the face of law. “I make an order, dismissing this case and it is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit,” the Judge held. The plaintiff had by an originating summons dragged APC, INEC and Sylvia before the Court praying for an order to disqualify Sylva from being allowed to participate in the coming November governorship election in Bayelsa State. He predicated his grouse against Sylvia on two grounds that Sylva had been elected into governorship office twice, took oath of office and oath of allegiance twice while he also claimed that the April 14 primary election that produced Sylva was illegal and unlawful having been allegedly done in contravention with APC’s guidelines.