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.
UK PM, Sunak Sacks Home Secretary, Suella Braverman
The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday fired Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who drew anger for accusing police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters. According to a source in the prime minister’s office, Sunak had “asked Suella Braverman to leave government and she has accepted.” The Conservative Party said Sunak is carrying out a wider reshuffle which “strengthens his team in government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future.” However, sacking one of the leading figures on the right of the party could pose difficulties for the prime minister as he seeks to get his party united behind him and ready for a general election expected in 2024.
Bayelsa Election: PDP Leads Early Results As INEC Suspends Collation Till 12pm Monday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adjourned the collation of results for the Bayelsa State Governorship Election until Monday noon. As of Sunday night, results from six out of eight local government areas, including Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia, Yenegoa, Sagbama, Nembe, and Ekeremor, have been collated, leaving Brass and Southern Ijaw pending. Prof Faruq Kuta, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and the state Returning Officer, adjourned the exercise for further review on Monday. Sixteen political parties participated in the Bayelsa election, where Governor Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a contest against Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and former Bayelsa governor. Meanwhile, in Imo State, INEC has declared Governor Hope Uzodimma of the APC as the winner, defeating Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP and Nneji Achonu of the Labour Party (LP), along with 15 other opponents. Uzodimma secured 540,308 votes, outpacing Anyanwu with 71,503 votes and Achonu with 64,081 votes. Stay tuned for the final Bayelsa results and updates on the gubernatorial polls held in Imo and Kogi states. Bayelsa Results So Far: Sagbama LGA APC – 6608 LP – 217 PDP – 35504 Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA APC – 5349 LP – 22 PDP – 18465 Ogbia LGA APC – 16319 LP – 57 PDP – 18435 Yenegoa LGA APC – 14534 LP – 244 PDP – 37777 Nembe LGA APC – 22248 LP – 113 PDP – 4556 Ekeremor LGA APC – 8445 LP – 50 PDP – 23172
Guber Election: Respect Wishes Of Kogi People, APC Tells INEC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the popular will of Kogi electorate in Saturday ‘s governorship election. Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. “With the candidate of the APC, Usman Ododo, coasting to spectacular victory in Saturday’s Kogi governorship election, we call on INEC to protect the integrity of the legitimate votes of the Kogi electorate. “Announced and uploaded results, so far, show our candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East,” Morka said. He said the APC was aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state. He urged INEC to stand fast in discharge of its constitutional duty to deliver free, fair and credible election in the state, and ensure that the freely exercised will of Kogi electorate prevailed.
Imo Guber: How INEC Declared APC’s Hope Uzodimma Winner
Governor Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the November 11, 2023, Imo State governorship election, as officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The announcement was made by Prof Abayomi Fashina, the state Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, following over eight hours of meticulous collation of local government results, culminating in a confirmation of Uzodimma’s re-election at around 10 am on a Sunday morning. Uzodimma’s political journey in Imo State began with a significant twist when, in January 2020, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring Uzodimma as the governor. However, this turn of events seemingly intensified political tensions, leading to increased opposition against Uzodimma. The state faced challenges, including a security phenomenon characterized by “unknown gunmen,” abductions, and persistent Monday sit-at-home protests organized by pro-secessionist groups. In the recent election, Uzodimma faced formidable opponents, including Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP, Nneji Achonu of the Labour Party (LP)l;l, and Jack Ogunewe of the Action Alliance (AA), alongside 14 other contenders. Despite the competitive field, the APC candidate secured a resounding victory with 540,308 votes. His closest rivals, Anyanwu and Achonu, garnered 71,503 and 64,081 votes, respectively. This electoral outcome solidifies Uzodimma’s position as the re-elected governor and further shapes the political landscape in Imo State.
Imo Poll: Labour Party Demands Voiding Votes In Violence-Affected Polling Units
Athan Achonu, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel votes from polling units affected by violence. Speaking after casting his vote in Umunumo hamlet, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Achonu emphasized the need for transparency in conducting elections, stating that canceling affected units is the only viable solution. Expressing concern over reported violence, he decried the assault on party agents and characterized the situation as a departure from democratic norms, vowing to resist such disruptions for the sake of upholding true democracy and ensuring good governance. “There is no other alternative than to cancel it so that every person will come there and watch it conducted. “They beat up so many of our agents. We are sad, we are going to upload some of their pictures. This is crazy, this is what our democracy has come to. “But we are resisting. Can’t you see the people here? They will not allow it. I hope it is the same thing going on everywhere so that we can have proper democracy and bring in good governance,” he stated.
Impeachment Of Rivers’ Majority Leader, 4 Others Won’t Stand – Gov Fubara
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has declared the removal of the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Edison Ehie, and four other lawmakers as “null and void.” Earlier on Monday, the police fired tear gas to ward off protesters who were clamouring for the impeachment of the governor. The crisis in the state Assembly escalated after the House leader was ousted. A portion of the Assembly Complex was also gutted by fire. Reacting to the development, Fubara said the removal of the five lawmakers would not be recognized. He further said that security operatives allowed arsonists to launch an attack on the assembly complex the previous night, resulting in extensive damage to the property.
Supreme Court Judgment: Atiku Holds World Press Conference On Monday
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, is scheduled to address the press on Monday, October 30, 2023. This announcement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of Atiku’s appeal and the affirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February presidential election. A statement from the PDP Publicity Office released on Saturday outlined the purpose of Atiku’s press conference. According to the statement, Atiku Abubakar will focus on addressing crucial national issues of serious importance. The press conference is set to take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, with the event commencing at 11 am. The significance of this address and its potential implications for the nation are eagerly anticipated by the public.
Case Against Tinubu: Atiku, Obi Know Fate On Thursday
The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its judgement on Thursday, in the cases of Peter Obi of Labour Party and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. The Petitioners are before the Apex Court challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) in favour of Tinubu. In a Notice of Appeal predicated on 35 grounds, Atiku told the apex court that the tribunal in the judgment delivered by Justice Haruna Tsammani erred on the side of law and miscarriage of justice in its findings and conclusion in the petition. He maintained that the Tribunal erred in law when it failed to nullify the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, when by the evidence before the tribunal, INEC conducted the election based on grave and gross misrepresentation contrary to the principles of the Electoral Act 2022, based on the “doctrine of legitimate expectation”. Obi on his part, wants the Apex Court to set aside the whole findings and conclusions of the Tribunal on the grounds that they did not represent the true picture of the grounds of his petition. Reacting, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents respectively, urged the court to dismiss the appeal for want of merit and for being frivolous. Specifically, Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun SAN described Atiku’s appeal as abusive in nature and ask it to dismiss it. Tinubu urged the apex court to act in like manner of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), by not only dismissing the appeal for lacking in merit and bona fide, but affirm his victory.
APC Suspends Kogi Guber Campaign
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its campaign for the November 11 Kogi Governorship Election temporarily, as a mark of respect for Ms Khadijat Yahaya, a member of the party who died after an attack by suspected thugs. Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the spokesperson for the state Campaign Council, said stated this in a statement in Lokoja. Khadijat allegedly lost her life after a clash between supporters of Social Democratic Party (SDP) and those of the APC in Kotonkarfe on September 29. Meanwhile, the state APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, visited the family of the deceased in Kotonkarfe on Tuesday to sympathise with them over her demise.Ododo expressed shock at her demise and prayed to God for the repose of her soul.Responding, Malam Saliu Akawu, thanked Ododo for the visit. Akawu said the conduct of Ododo showed that he was a compassionate leader who would always identify with his people. He said that Khadijat was a very peace-loving person whose life was cut short by evil men. Ododo also visited the Palace of the Ohimege of Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazak Koto, where he expressed sadness over the death of Khadijat. He described her as a woman of peace who was desirous of seeing development in Kotonkarfe and promised to ensure justice for the deceased family.