Appeal Court Dismisses PDP’s Appeal Against Sanwo-Olu’s Victory

In a significant development, the appeal court in Lagos has upheld the tribunal’s ruling, validating Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat’s positions as Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, respectively. The court’s justices, comprising Justice Yargata Nimpa, Justice Samuel Bola, and Justice Paul Bassey, reached a unanimous decision to dismiss the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) appeal on grounds of lacking merit. The affirmation of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat’s victory by the appeal court solidifies their mandate following the tribunal’s initial judgment. Justice Yargata Nimpa led the delivery of this pivotal verdict, cementing the continuation of the duo in their respective roles within the Lagos State government.

Nasarawa Guber: Appeal Court Reserves Judgement On Sule’s Petition 

The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, has reserved judgment in an appeal instituted by Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Sule was at the appellate court, contesting against the majority decision by a tribunal nullifying his election, in favour of David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). A three-member panel of justices headed by Justice U. Onyemenam told parties involved that the date for judgment will be communicated to them. In the actual proceedings, Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Sule who filed five processes to challenge the appeal urged the Court to dismiss the judgment of the Tribunal and allow the appeal of his client.  Olanipekun argued that the Tribunal refused to take the submissions of their witnesses during the Tribunal hearing and that data from the BVAS tendered to the Tribunal were merely dumped and without been considered as evidence. In his response, counsel to Ombugadu, Kanu Agabi SAN, and the PDP urged the court to dismiss the appeal stating that their evidence are merely documentary. On the issue of BVAS, Agabi argued that it was sufficiently demonstrated in the Tribunal as demanded by law, with the print out from the machine shown, against the argument that they were merely dumped without being analysed.  Agabi who referred the court to the judgment of the Tribunal argued that in delivering judgment, the lower court painstakingly gave a breakdown of how it arrived at its decision.

Supreme Court’s Verdict Sparks Exchange Between Peter Obi, Presidency

*This is not the end, Obi tells his supporters The recent Supreme Court judgment affirming Bola Tinubu‘s election as Nigeria’s president has ignited a fiery dispute between Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, and the Presidency. Obi expressed his apprehensions regarding the verdict, alleging that it undermined the citizens’ trust in the judiciary. Despite the dismissal of Obi and Atiku Abubakar’s appeals by the apex court, he steadfastly stood by his commitment to a vision of a “New Nigeria” characterized by transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of resources. Obi made his position clear during a world press conference held at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja, stating, “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice.” “Without equivocation, this judgment amounts to a total breach of the confidence the Nigerian people have in our judiciary. To that extent, it is a show of unreasonable force against the very Nigerian people from whom the power of the Constitution derives,” Obi said during a world press conference at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday. “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice. “The judgment mixed principles and precepts. Indeed, the rationale and premise of the Supreme Court judgment, have become clearer in the light of the deep revealing and troubling valedictory remarks by Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, (JSC) on Friday 27th October 2023.” Obi further told his supporters that the quest for a new Nigeria has not ended. “Where the value and import of the recent Supreme Court ruling ends is where our commitment to a New Nigeria begins. Our mission and mandate remain unchanged. From the very onset, our mission has been more about enthroning a new Nigeria,” the LP presidential candidate added. Meanwhile, in a swift response to Obi’s critique, the Presidency issued a rebuttal, highlighting the apparent inconsistency in his stance. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reminded Obi that he had previously benefited from judicial decisions when he successfully reclaimed his governorship mandate in 2007. Onanuga emphasized the paramount importance of judicial pronouncements being grounded in evidence, legal precedents, and the rule of law. Onanuga continued by urging Obi and the Labour Party to embrace their role as the opposition and begin preparations for future elections. He expressed the hope that in the upcoming electoral contests, Obi and his party would concentrate on addressing pertinent issues rather than resorting to divisive tactics based on religious and ethnic sentiments. “We are at a loss as to how the copy-cat Obi and his faction of Labour Party convinced themselves they won an election in which they came a distant third,” Onanuga said. “At the press conference where he tried, in vain, to gaslight Nigerians with false claims and innuendos, Mr. Obi contradicted himself. Here was a beneficiary of judicial pronouncements in the past now castigating the same court because its judgment did not go his way.” Onanuga said Obi and his party should know that the Supreme Court or any other court does not give judgment based on public opinion and mob sentiments. “Judicial pronouncements are based on evidence, precedents and the rule of law,” he said. The presidential aide said the ex-governor of Anambra should quit criticisms and congratulate Tinubu. “Having admitted that the Supreme Court ruling brought an end to litigation and any challenge to the bona-fide of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the validly elected leader of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Obi should have congratulated President Tinubu for his victory and pledge his support, in the spirit of statesmanship.”

Updated: Appeal Court Nullifies Senator Abbo’s Election Victory In Adamawa North

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rendered a unanimous verdict, sacking Senator Elisha Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District. The court’s decision overturned the previous tribunal judgment that had confirmed Abbo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the legitimate winner of the Senatorial seat. The appeal was lodged by Amos Yohanna, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, who contested the results. Senator Abbo, known for a controversial incident in 2019, where he assaulted a lady in an Abuja sex toy shop, saw his re-election aspirations dashed by the appellate court’s ruling. As a result of the assault incident, a Federal Capital Territory High Court had previously ordered Senator Abbo to pay N50 million in damages to the assaulted lady, a judgment later upheld by the appellate court panel led by Justice Jamilu Tukur. Senator Abbo, acknowledging his removal from the legislative office, urged his supporters and constituents to remain composed.

Atiku’s Lawyer Accuses Tinubu of Submitting Forged Certificate To INEC

Following the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records by the Chicago State University, Kalu Kalu, a lawyer representing Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has made allegations that Tinubu submitted a counterfeit degree certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the elections. Kalu, who spoke in a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, contended that despite Tinubu and his supporters vehemently denying the allegations, the documents obtained from Chicago State University support the claims of forgery. He pointed out several discrepancies, including the use of a female name on the qualifying certificate from South West College to Chicago State University, indicating that the document may not belong to Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Additionally, he said that the admission form from Chicago State University suggests that Tinubu attended Government College Lagos and graduated in 1970, even though the school was established in 1974. “The document indicates that the certificate’s owner is a black American, contradicting Tinubu’s claim of not having dual citizenship. Finally, there is an inconsistency between the name “Ahmed” on the document from Chicago State University and “Adekunle” on the NYSC certificate submitted to INEC,” Kalu argued. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is seeking to overturn Tinubu’s election through legal means after the Presidential Election Tribunal dismissed his petition. As part of this effort, he initiated a case in the United States to obtain the President’s academic records, which have now become a subject of controversy. Kalu emphasized that the Supreme Court, under established legal principles, allows for the introduction of fresh evidence under certain conditions, which he believes have been met in this case. He asserted that a party found to be at fault should not be permitted to benefit from its illegality according to the law.

Kano Guber: Don’t Allow Tribunal Truncate Justice In Kano, CCLCA Cautions FG

*As Kano women beg FG for intervention A coalition of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited foreign and domestic observers for the 2023 Kano Governorship election, has warned the political gladiators to desist from truncating the will of the Kano people. The group, made up of seven civil society organization, maintained that INEC’s declaration of the NNPP candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf as the winner of that election, represents the voice of the people and in consistent with their observation in the field. Meanwhile, Kano woman have cried out to the federal government, to allow justice prevail in Kano, adding that they will have no home and their children will have no school to attend if problems escalated. Addressing the press on Monday, the Director General, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), Dr Gabriel Nwambu, decried the miscarriage of justice perpetrated by the Kano state tribunal. To drive home his point, Dr Nwambu noted that Justice Flora Azinge, one of the justices of the State Assembly tribunal raised alarm over an attempt to offer N10 million to one of his staff, with the intension to subvert justice in the course of the proceedings of the tribunal. According to him, this implies that there has been an unprecedented attempt to subvert justice and subvert the popular wish of the electorate in Kano state. The group also expressed shocked over the Tribunals ruling bothering on the disqualification of the Governor of Kano state as member of the NNPP, adding that the matter is a pre-election matter which the tribunal had no jurisdiction. They were also dismayed on the nullification of over one hundred thousands valid votes which was an integral part of the power exercised by the electorates as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended has never been seen before in the history of Nigeria. They therefore, call for caution, noting how the spate of coup d’etat in Africa is spreading very fast and advise the political elites to look beyond their personal gains and focus on the unity and coexistence of the Nigerian nation.  “By this medium, we wish to advice the political elites in Kano state to shield their swords and allow the people’s votes to count. Kano state is a cosmopolitan City in Nigeria, therefore igniting issues capable of causing breakdown of law and order would not be in the interest of the Nigerian nation. “The present situation in Kano could deteriorate even further if not treated with utmost caution and urgency. The Judiciary is said to be the hope of the common man. We, hereby advice that care should be taken in Kano state to resolve the present judicial process with utmost caution. Let us allow the NNPP which is the party that truly won the 18th March, 2023 Governorship election serve the people of Kano,” he concluded. The coalition group includes Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Pan African Women Projects, African Union and Organization orf Justice and Equity. Also among the coalition are Intercontinental Leadership Initiative, Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption and Initiative for Voter Awareness and Electoral Reform.

Obi/Abure petition meant to defraud LP of $15m, N12bn -Apapa

*Says LP accepts Tribunal ruling Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, the leader of a faction within the Labour Party, has responded to the Presidential Election tribunal’s verdict, alleging that the petition by its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was an attempt to defraud the party of substantial funds. Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, conveyed the party’s reaction to the tribunal’s ruling. He expressed disappointment that Peter Obi’s legal team had not provided proper advice before pursuing the case. While the Labour Party accepts the tribunal’s verdict without bias, Arabambi described the entire process as a waste of time. He criticized Peter Obi for failing to fund the party adequately to engage the required polling agents, as well as for filing witnesses outside the stipulated time. Arabambi further claimed that Peter Obi’s motive for going to the tribunal was to justify the money collected during the campaign, suggesting that the funds were corruptly misappropriated. He accused Obi of failing to convince the tribunal of the polling units where he was allegedly rigged out. Arabambi pointed out that the tribunal ruled against Obi and the Labour Party, asserting that they did not sufficiently detail their allegations of corrupt practices and irregularities. The court rejected reports and documents, emphasizing that they were not properly tendered and were already submitted in a previous case. Regarding the requirement of securing 25% of the vote in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Arabambi highlighted the tribunal’s stance that Abuja is equal to every other state in Nigeria, and residents do not have special privileges. In conclusion, Arabambi accepted the tribunal’s verdict and expressed the party’s commitment to reevaluating their approach moving forward.

Tribunal dismisses PDP’s allegations, rejects Atiku’s 15 witnesses in case against Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has made significant rulings in the case involving allegations against President Bola Tinubu by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The court dismissed the allegations of forgery and conviction against Tinubu, emphasizing that the petitioners failed to specify the constitutional requirement that Tinubu purportedly did not meet in his bid for the presidency. Additionally, some paragraphs in the petition that accused Kogi State Governor and Friday Adejo, a Local Government Chairman in Kogi State, of electoral irregularities were struck out. The petitioners had not included them as parties in the case. Furthermore, the Tribunal rejected 15 out of the 27 witnesses presented by Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. These witnesses were dismissed because they had failed to submit their statements on oath along with the petition. The Tribunal clarified that the petitioner had not filed these statements before the 21-day window closed, as required from the date of the election result announcement. These rulings highlight the meticulous examination of evidence and legal procedures by the Tribunal in the ongoing electoral dispute.

Presidential Tribunal: Atiku, Obi, Tinubu to present final addresses

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja is nearing the conclusion of its proceedings, with Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) set to adopt their final written addresses on Tuesday. These addresses precede the judgment date for all petitions related to the February 25 presidential election, including the challenge against President Bola Tinubu’s victory. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Atiku Abubakar who secured 6,984,520 votes and Mr. Obi with 6,101,533 votes. Disputing the results, both Atiku and Obi filed separate petitions, claiming victory and challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to run for the presidency. The petitioners seek to have the court declare that President Tinubu did not obtain the majority of lawful votes and to withdraw his Certificate of Return. They are also calling for a fresh presidential election, excluding Tinubu, whom they contend was ineligible to participate in the first place. Obi presented 13 witnesses and various documentary exhibits, while Atiku produced 27 witnesses and additional evidence before the court. INEC and President Tinubu each had one witness in their defense, and the APC did not produce any witnesses. The Respondents, including INEC, President Tinubu, and APC, have all submitted written addresses urging the court to dismiss the petitions for lack of merit. They argue that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations beyond reasonable doubt, as required by the law. Atiku’s joint petition with the PDP (marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023) asserts that Tinubu’s declaration as the winner of the presidential election was invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, and contends that he was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes. The proceedings continue as the nation awaits the judgment that will determine the outcome of the closely contested presidential election.