| Daily Post Online | 25th April 2023 | Taraba APC expels former guber aspirant, Senator-elect | The wrangling in the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has again taken a different dimension as a former guber aspirant of the party, Chief David Sabo Kente has been expelled. The State APC also called on the National Executive Committee of the party to immediately expel the Senator-elect for Taraba south, Jimkuta David. Kente, who was a former member of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) and the former chairman Board of Trustee of the Northeast Development Education Empowerment Fund, was accused of anti-party activities. The party’s state chairman, Barrister Ibrahim El-Sudi, who announced the expulsion on Tuesday, via a press statement, issued out to pressmen in Jalingo, the state capital, said “for the avoidance of doubt, Chief David Sabo Kente stands expelled from the APC. He told Kante, to as a matter of urgency, desist from “parading himself as a member of the party henceforth”. Despite several invitations, by APC Wukari local government council for him to defend himself on the allegations levelled against him, Kente, according to El-Sudi “refused to honour their invitations and abused them instead.” | Taraba State chapter of APC, Chief David Sabo Kente, Senator-elect for Taraba south, Jimkuta David | https://bit.ly/3AKOEId | 5 | |
| Vanguard Online | 25th April 2023 | Shun rumours, I’m strong, Tinubu says on arrival from France | President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, returned to Nigeria after a 32-day vacation in three countries, following the conclusion of the 2023 presidential polls, saying he is strong and ready to hit the ground running. Addressing the crowd who followed him home, the President-elect said: “I am happy to be back. I have rested. I am refreshed and I am ready for the task ahead. Forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I am strong, very strong.” Asked about about his plans for the country, he said he had been consulting and planning with a view to putting together a strong team so he could hit the ground running once he assumes office on May 29. | President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu | https://bit.ly/3LpbPO9 | 5 | |
| Daily Post Online | 25th April 2023 | Nigeria elections: 257 judges to hear petitions | A total of 257 judges will hear petitions arising from the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, according to a list by the National Judicial Council (NJC). Proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and State Election Petition Tribunals are expected to commence fully in May after the Worker’s Day holiday. Nigerians have shifted their attention to the tribunals as aggrieved candidates in the February 25 and March 18 contests attempt to overturn victories.he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued Certificates of Return to all winners of various positions. Already, hundreds of petitions have been filed to challenge the outcome of the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly polls. But more are expected due to the April 15 supplementary elections in more than 20 states, in view of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. Section 132 (7) & (8) allows for petitions to be filed within 21 days after the declaration of results. The respondents have 21 days to respond, while the court has 180 days to decide. | Election Petition Tribunal and State Election Petition Tribunals, Commencement of election petition hearing | https://bit.ly/3N6fsKe | 5 | |
| Vanguard Online | 25th April 2023 | Enugu Gov-elect, Mbah inaugurates 60-man transition committee | Ahead of the May 29 handover, the Enugu State Governor-elect, Dr Peter Mbah, has inaugurated a 60-man Transition Committee. This is contained in a statement on Monday in Enugu and issued by the head of the Peter Mbah Media Office, Dan Nwomeh. According to him, the committee includes internationally-recognized technocrats, good governance, transparency and accountability advocates, financial and management experts, entrepreneurs, as well as tech and innovation specialists. The Governor-elect said the Transition Committee would help articulate and fine-tune the incoming administration’s implementable and impactful development plan when it assumes office in May. “The Transition Committee members would also streamline the State development plan in line with my “Social Charter” with Ndi Enugu. “The Charter aims at repositioning the state as one of the top three states in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Product per capita, while addressing poverty, unemployment, and insecurity,” Mbah said. He added that the committee would be chaired by Ike Chioke, an engineer, renowned investment banker, and Group Managing Director of Afrinvest (West Africa) Ltd. Other committee members are the Country Director of DAI Nigeria, an international development company, Dr Joe Abah; the Managing Director of United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UK-NIAF), Prof Chidi Onyia. Others are the former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Prof Joy Ezeilo, former Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo and an Executive Director at First Bank, Mrs Christy Okoye among other notable Nigerians. | Enugu State Governor-elect, Dr Peter Mbah, Transition Committee | https://bit.ly/40EiMzo | 5 | |
| Nation Online | 25th April 2023 | Umahi qualified to be next Senate President, says aide | Ebonyi State Governor and Senator-elect Dave Umahi is qualified to be next Senate President, Commissioner for Information and Orientation Uchenna Orji has said. He said ranking in the Upper Chamber does not preclude a first timer from being elected head of the National Assembly. Orji, a lawyer, said Umahi has excellent and working relationship with the legislative arm of government. He said this accounted for his support for a successor in office that is from the background of the Legislature, who has been Speaker for eight years. The commissioner said in a statement in Abakaliki, the state capital, Umahi has indepth knowledge of the workings of the Legislature as well as intergovernmental relations. Orji said: “As governor, he made Ebonyi State a reference point in innovative development in Nigeria. Put sentiments apart and give him a chance as Senate President, you will agree and appreciate that Umahi is a Ranking Leader in capacity, experience, passion for service delivery and he is a rare leadership gem in Africa.” | Ebonyi State Governor and Senator-elect Dave Umahi, Contest for Senate President | https://bit.ly/3NudXG3 | 5 | |
| Daily Post Online | 25th April 2023 | Three Rep members, over 3,000 supporters dump PDP in Imo | Three members of the House of Representatives from Imo State have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with over 3,000 supporters. Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma received the defectors into the party at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri, the state capital on Monday. The federal lawmakers, including Hon. Ikenna Elezieanya, Hon. Bede Ekeh, Hon. Henry Nwawuba and a host of other individuals made the move ahead of the November 11 governorship elections in the State. In his welcome address, Governor Uzodinma, who is seeking re-election for his second term, assured the defectors that APC is one, saying whether old or new, the members are one. According to the Governor, “There is no new member in APC and there is no old member in APC, we are one”. Governor Uzodinma further urged all Imo sons and daughters irrespective of party affiliation to join hands with him to create prosperity for Ndi Imo. | Defectors, PDP to APC | https://bit.ly/3LuIJgz | 5 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 20th April 2023 | Ekwebelem emerges Imo SDP guber candidate | A Governorship candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the November 11 governorship election in Imo State, Obinna Ekwebelem, has emerged, following the party’s primary on Tuesday. Ekwebelem polled 976 votes to emerge winner. Other candidates had withdrawn from the contest before the exercise conducted at the party’s headquarters on Wetheral Road, Owerri, the state capital. In his post election speech, Ekwebelem, promised to channel his energy as a young man to fix the state, with special focus on infrastructure, economy, welfare of citizens and security among others, noting that the opportunity would not be in vain. | Imo State SDP Governorship Candidate, Obinna Ekwebelem | Page 7 | 4 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 20th April 2023 | Tinubu: Police Must Investigate Adamawa Guber Rerun Given Attendant Controversy | President-elect Bola Tinubu, yesterday, called on the police authorities to fully investigate what transpired during the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa State because of the controversy associated with the exercise. Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, also congratulated the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the Kebbi State governor-elect, Nasiru Idris, as well as senators-elect, House of Representatives members-elect, and state Houses of Assembly members-elect. He commended the “largely peaceful atmosphere” that encompassed the last round of elections held on April 15. Tinubu, in the statement, said the victorious men and women from the last elections had earned the trust of their people. He called on them to rededicate themselves to the service of their respective constituencies. According to president-elect, “The supplementary polls have now brought the 2023 elections to a final, fitting conclusion. I observed, with satisfaction, the largely peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the supplementary election on Saturday. It was further testimony that our citizens have accepted democratic norms and have unalloyed faith in the electoral process. “However, I note the matter of Adamawa supplementary governorship election and I urge police authorities to fully investigate all that transpired in the election given the attendant controversy. In every democratic contest, there has to be one winner. I call on those aggrieved to pursue legitimate means of addressing their grievances.” Tinubu said with the conclusion of the 2023 elections, those elected should prepare to serve the people with diligence and dedication. He implored the elected officials to join hands with him in the pursuit of a better, stronger, more secure, economically vibrant, and prosperous Nigeria. | President-elect Bola Tinubu, Adamawa State Governoship Election, Supplementary polls Nigeria police | Page 1 & 12 | 4 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 20th April 2023 | Dino Melaye Defends His Victory in Kogi PDP Guber Primary Election | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 2023 election for Kogi State, Dino Melaye, has clarified the controversy trailing his emergence as the party’s candidate. Melaye stressed that there was no manipulation in the primary election, arguing that the primary election was the fairest and most transparent he had seen anywhere. Melaye said this on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY News. He assured the people of Kogi State of increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), increased support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and also a boost in employment, if elected as the next governor of the state. According to him, there was need to rescue the people of Kogi State from the present maladministration, insecurity, corruption and negative vices. Speaking about his plans and what he would do differently if voted as the next governor of the state, Melaye said: “There are no plans to be dependent on the federal allocation that comes from Abuja, neither am I going to be an Abuja-based governor like the present governor. “I am going to live in Kogi State and hold monthly meetings with key stakeholders across every local government of the state.” Melaye also promised to be a people’s governor by allowing people determine the policy implementation and direction. | Kogi State PDP Governorship Candidate, Dino Melaye, Kogi State | Page 34 | 4 | |
| Punch Online | 20th April 2023 | Fintiri receives Certificate of Return, says election toughest | The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has described his re-election for second term as the toughest election in his political career. Fintiri stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission presented him and his deputy, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, with the Certificates of Return for emerging winners of the governorship election in the state, which ran into a supplementary poll on Saturday. Earlier on Tuesday, INEC’s Returning Officer for Adamawa, Muhammed Melee, declared Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party winner with 430,861 votes. His closest challenger, Aishatu Dahiru, alias Binani, of the All Progressives Congress, polled 398,788 votes. The PUNCH reports that INEC reopened the collation centre for the supplementary election results on Tuesday, after it was earlier suspended on Sunday, following the controversial announcement of Binani as winner by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari. INEC, which condemned the REC’s action, on Monday reported him to the police for investigation and possible prosecution. Speaking with journalists after receiving his Certificate of Return, Fintiri alleged that manipulation from Abuja almost marred his victory, as security agencies deployed could not rescue the situation. The governor-elect thanked Nigerians for supporting democracy, adding that INEC had redeemed itself from the disgraceful act. | Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Certificate of Return, Adamawa State, Supplementary elections | https://bit.ly/3MZmznQ | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 20th April 2023 | Kebbi Gov’ship Poll: I Have Been Vindicated – REC | The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kebbi State, Barrister Mahmud Bello, said he has been vindicated for declaring the Kebbi State governorship election of March 18, inconclusive. Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday after presenting the certificate of return to the governor-elect, his deputy, and 10 House of Assembly members at the INEC headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, the REC said declaring the Kebbi poll inconclusive was the best option considering what happened in Adamawa, during the supplementary poll. Recall that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State had announced the candidate of the APC, Aisha Binani winner of the governorship poll mid-way into the collation of results of the supplementary poll, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voided the declaration and declared Fintiri as the winner at the end of the exercise. The Kebbi REC said, “I’m happy those who criticised me now see that I did the right thing. Those criticising me for taking that decision were now calling to say I did the right thing when they saw what happened in Adamawa State.” He added that his critics have realised that he followed due process in declaring the governorship election inconclusive. | Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kebbi State, Barrister Mahmud Bello, Kebbi State Governorship election, Supplementary election | Page 10 | 4 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 20th April 2023 | FG: Why Buhari Didn’t Interfere With Adamawa Poll Debacle | The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari did not interfere with the recent governorship election imbroglio in Adamawa State as it is strictly the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission to sort out the matter According to him, it is not in Buhari’s character to micromanage government’s institutions. Fielding questions from reporters after the FEC meeting, Mohammed said: “I don’t think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts its elections. So, there’s no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely an INEC matter and INEC handled it. The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees in INEC and he’s handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?” Mohammed justified the reason he accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, of committing treason, saying that if his running mate had called for insurrection and he did not react, he was guilty as charged. The minister said he went to the United States to balance what he called the skewed reports on the 2023 general elections, which he said was “the most transparent, freest and authentic ever held despite the effort of the opposition to delegitimize or discourage the election." | Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Adamawa State Governorship Election, INEC | Page 27 | 4 | |
| Nigerian Tribune | 19th April 2023 | Elections: CSOs blame NASS over appointment of partisan citizens as INEC Commissioners | The Situation Room, a coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria, has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the recently concluded supplementary elections held in 23 states of the federation on April 15, 2023. In a statement signed by the convener, Ms Ene Obi, and co-convener, James Ugochukwu, the group lamented the irregularities that marred the polls and noted that the elections fell short of the “Credibility Threshold for the 2023 General Election”, which serves as a basis for evaluating the elections. The group also blamed the National Assembly for failing to scrutinize the nominees of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and National Commissioners as required by law. According to the statement, the level of impunity being perpetrated by some partisan persons into INEC at all levels is unacceptable. The Situation Room also condemned the illegal declaration of a winner made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Adamawa State, Barr. Yunusa Hudu Ari, while the collation of results was yet to be concluded. The group called for a proper investigation into what transpired and the application of sanctions as necessary. The group welcomed the suspension of the REC and commended INEC for declaring his action unlawful. The Situation Room called for the implementation of the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee which, in 2010, recommended steps to appoint independent persons to INEC. The group urged INEC to take more proactive measures to ensure the conduct of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria. | Press Statement, Situation Room, Conduct of the 2023 Supplementary Elections, INEC, REC, INEC National Commissioner, Adamawa State, Electoral reform committee,Adamwa state INEC REC, Barr. Yunusa Hudu Ari | https://bit.ly/3oowNnn | 3 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 19th April 2023 | PDP Dismisses Purported Suspension of Sekibo, Opara | The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported suspension of Senator George Thompson Sekibo and Hon. Austin Adiele Opara from the Party, purportedly by the Ward Executives of Ward 2 of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10 of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, respectively. This is as Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has stopped the PDP from suspending the Rivers State Governor-elect, Siminlalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu,from the party over alleged anti-party activities. But the NWC, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said, “After a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara dated April 17, 2023 against the purported suspension, hereby declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017). The NWC enjoined all party members in the state to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of the party and the Nation. It said it was steadily progressing in the reconciliation efforts among all members of the party across the country and was encouraged by the success so far achieved. Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo, in a judgment in two separate suits filed against the PDP, held that due process of law must be followed by any organisation set up by law while dealing with issues relating to law. Besides, the court held that the fears of the plaintiffs and other members of the PDP were well-founded, but that suspending or expelling them would amount to the breach of their rights to freedom of association. Ekwo stated that, it was in the power of the court to grant redress to persons, who have well established acts that would amount to the infringement of their rights. | PDP National Working Committee, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, Hon. Austin Adiele Opara | Page 35 | 3 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 19th April 2023 | A’ Ibom Election Tribunal Receives 22 Petitions on Governorship, State Assembly Elections | The 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akwa Ibom State has so far received 22 petitions from aggrieved political parties that participated in the elections in the state. A breakdown of the figure showed that the governorship petitions were eight while 14 petitions were received by the tribunal on the State House Assembly election. Political parties that filed the governorship petitions include the Young Progressive Party (YPP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Accord Party (AP), the Allied People’s Movement (APM) Others were the Action People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance Party (AA); the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). APC, YPP, AA and the PDP were among political parties that filed the State House of Assembly petitions before the Election Tribunal in the state. The Respondents in the governorship petitions are the Independent National Electoral Commissíon (INEC), the PDP, and the governor-Elect, Pastor Umo Eno. A source at the Tribunal disclosed that the Respondents in the governorship petition have been duly served by the political parties. The 2023 National and Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier disclosed that it received a total of 15 petitions from aggrieved parties in the State namely the APC, YPP, NNPP, Labour Party and APM. The Tribunal had hinted that out of the 15 petitions it received 11 came from the House of Representatives and four petitions from the Senate. | Election Petition Tribunal in Akwa Ibom State, Petitions | Page 37 | 3 | |
| Vanguard Online | 19th April 2023 | Adamawa guber crisis: At last, INEC declares Fintiri winner | The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, declared Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, as the winner of the state governorship election, with the governor declaring that the state, of Adamawa, was the real winner of the election. Fintiri also pledged to be fair to all. His declaration by the electoral commission put paid to the controversies that had trailed the election since the first balloting on March 18, 2023. Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, declared Fintiri as the winner after the collation of the supplementary election results. The final results showed that Governor Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, scored 430,861 votes to beat Aisha Dahiru Ahmed (Binani) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who got 398,788 votes. The returning officer also disclosed that the total votes cast were 869,106 while total valid votes were 853,819. Rejected votes were 15,287. Before Fintiri’s declaration, the commission met, in Abuja, on the suspended election and resolved to write the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali, to investigate the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari for possible prosecution. It also resolved to write the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, with a view to acquainting President Muhammadu Buhari with the “unwholesome” activities of the REC and possibly reviewing his appointment. These came on a day the Inspector General of Police redeployed the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Barde, who was with the suspended REC when he announced Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmed as the winner of the election, after breaching procedures. Shortly after he was declared winner, Governor Fintiri, in a 2,322-word acceptance speech, thanked Adamawa voters for reaffirming their “willingness to support the good works” he had started in the state “because we have reached a consensus that Adamawa State must work.” The governor said he would be fair to all, irrespective of their political choices. Apologising to the people for what politicians made them go through in the last few weeks and for their orderly conduct in the face of provocation, the governor commended the INEC leadership for standing firm. | Winner of Adamawa State Governorship election, Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, INEC | Page 4 | 3 | |
| Premium Times | 19th April 2023 | Despite court order, APC expels former Gombe governor | The executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kashere Ward of Ammo Local Government in Gombe State said they have sacked a former governor of the state, Danjuma Goje, for alleged anti-party activities. The ward executives of the party went ahead with the suspension despite a court order restraining them from investigating and taking any disciplinary action against Mr Goje. The suspension was announced during a press conference led by the ward chairman, Tanimu Abdullahi, on Tuesday. He said the party took the decision following the recommendations of a panel set up to probe him for alleged anti-party activities. Mr Goje had earlier secured a court order restraining the party from investigating him. Mr Abdullahi told reporters that some of the reasons Mr Goje was expelled was his failure to attend presidential campaign rallies in the state, boycotting campaign activities of the party in his area, zone and state, and supporting opposition parties among other issues. Mr Abdullahi told reporters that some of the reasons Mr Goje was expelled was his failure to attend presidential campaign rallies in the state, boycotting campaign activities of the party in his area, zone and state, and supporting opposition parties among other issues. The committee also found Mr Goje guilty of mingling with opposition parties and their candidates with the intent to undermine the success of the APC in Gombe State and Nigeria in general. | Former Governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, APC, Expulsion from party | Page 10 | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 19th April 2023 | Crisis: LP Suspends Vice Chair, Appoints New Executives | The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) took a new twist yesterday when the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party loyal to the embattled national chairman, Julius Abure, suspended the national deputy chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, and five others over anti-party activities. The suspension is contained in the communique of the LP-NEC, which met in Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday and signed by deputy national chairman, Comrade Ladi lliya, and deputy national secretary, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu. The NEC in session also said in line with its powers, it proceeded to fill the following vacant positions of national youth leader with Prince Kennedy Ahanotu; Ag national publicity secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh; Ag national legal adviser, Barr Edun Kehinde; Ag deputy national secretary, Chief Rotimi Kehinde; Ag national vice chairman (S/S), Chief Anthony Ezeagwu. According to the communique, the NEC meeting was attended by members of the National Working Committee, state chairmen, state secretaries, presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, LP National Assembly members-elect, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representatives, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).“NEC in session examined the anti-party activities of some of its members and reaffirmed and upheld the decision of the Akure convention which expelled Comrade Arabambi Abayomi from the party. “NEC suspended the following National Working Committee (NWC) members: Lamidi Apapa, Alhaji Salem Lawal, Prince Favour Reuben, Gbenga Daramola, Samuel Akingbade and Mohammed Akali,” the communique said. The meeting also constituted a five-man disciplinary committee including Ladi Illiya, Rotimi Adekunle, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, Yunusa Tanko and Chief Tony Ezeagwu. Daily Trust reports that a high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday refused a request to vacate its interim order restraining the national chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, and three others from further parading themselves as the national officers. | LP Leadership crisis, Suspension of LP National deputy chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, Suspensions, LP NWC | Page 11 | 3 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 19th April 2023 | All eyes on judiciary as Nigerians await hearing of election petitions | Despite the controversies generated by the general elections and the sense of urgency which some Nigerians had argued should follow the election petitions, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) is yet to commence hearing of the petitions, while time ticks away. Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) had recently argued that the court could determine the cases before May 29 handover, if it speeds up the process to reduce tension being generated owing to the fact that the declared winner would assume office, while the legitimacy of his victory is still being challenged. However, it appears the jurists are not persuaded by such arguments, since the law grants them power to set aside any victory not obtained in accordance with the law whether or not the winner is already in office. According to the secretariat of the PEPC, which is the Court of Appeal, the petitions are not yet ripe for hearing as the replies to petitions are still being awaited before a date would be fixed. The Electoral Act, 2022, in Section 132 (7) & (8), provides that election petitions are to be filed within 21 days after declaration of results. The respondents also have 21 days to respond to the petitions. In all, the court has 180 days to decide the petitions and law permits day-to-day hearing, once it starts. Currently, five political parties and their candidates have filed a petition against the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) within the time allowed by the law. Already, APC has responded to petitions by the five political parties, alongside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while that of some parties and more responses are still awaited. Aminu Masari and Kashim Shettima’s responses are still awaited, as well as that of Hamza Al-Mustapha, who were joined in some of the petitions. After responses of all the respondents to the petition, the Court of Appeal president will identify members of the panel, and fix the date for commencement of hearing. After the March 1 declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 25 presidential poll, political parties and their candidates challenged the results declared by INEC. | some Nigerians had argued should follow the election petitions, the , Election Petition Tribunals | Page 6 | 3 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 19th April 2023 | Situation Room Pushes for Fresh Electoral Reforms | The Nigeria Civil Situation Room, otherwise known as the Situation Room, yesterday, said there was need to revisit the nomination process for national commissioners at INEC and by so doing, engender another electoral reform. While recommending the prosecution of all indicted INEC officials to serve as a deterrent, the Situation Room said rogue election officials and their politician sponsors must be prosecuted if the ugly trend must be reversed. A statement issued in respect of the 2023 supplementary elections held on Saturday, 15th April 2023, in 23 states of the federation, stated that the shortcomings witnessed at the supplementary polls were similar to what was experienced during the February 25 presidential/National Assembly election and March 18 governorship/ State Assembly polls. It lamented the current system of appointment of RECs and National Commissioners of INEC, who were being appointed by partisan political interests. According to the Situation Room, “It also represents the failure of the National Assembly to scrutinise the nominees as required by law and going ahead in confirming partisan persons into INEC at all levels. “It is important to revisit the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee, which in 2010 recommended steps to appoint independent persons into INEC.” In addition, the Situation Room said it was shocking to behold the illegal declaration of the supplementary governorship election result in Adamawa State by Ari. It, however, welcomed the action taken by the headquarters of INEC to declare as unlawful the action of the REC in Adamawa State and suspend him from further duties. It urged the commission to follow up with a proper investigation into what transpired and apply sanctions as necessary. | Press Statement, Situation Room, INEC, Nomination process for INEC National Commissioners, REC, Electoral Reforms | Page 11 | 3 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | Supplementary Polls: 36,935 Voters To Decide Fintiri, Binani’s Fate In Adamawa | The North-East Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Ari has said about 36,935 voters are expected to vote in this Saturday’s supplementary elections in Adamawa State. He stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the March 18 Adamawa State governorship election inconclusive. INEC said the cancelled votes were more than the margin of victory between candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fintiri and Aisha Dahiru, popularly called Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Incumbent governor scored 421,524 votes while Binani polled 390,275 votes. Ari reiterated that security agencies have been given mandate to arrest and prosecute any perpetrator of electoral violence come during the supplementary election this Saturday. “The law will take its full cause on anybody or group of persons, whatever his or her position trying to cause violence” he said. He urged leaders of political parties to ensure only one agent accredited by the commission, wearing identification INEC tag is allowed at the polling units and collation centers when elections are conducted. | North-East Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Ari, Supplementary Elections, INEC, Adamwa State | Page 12 | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | FCT Not Special, I Don’t Need 25% There To Win – Tinubu | President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has explained that there is no exclusive obligation that a candidate must score 25 per cent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be returned president in an election. Tinubu’s position is contained in a preliminary objection he filed against the petition by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of the petition for failing to disclose any cause of action. Most of the five political parties, including the LP, that are challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, have contended that APC and Tinubu did not secure the 25 per cent of the total votes cast in the FCT “as mandatorily required” in Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution of Nigeria, and was, therefore, ineligible to be declared. But in the reply by his legal team led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Tinubu argued that the Nigerian election is not based on the electoral college as it particularly relates to the FCT, adding that the residents are not super voters conferred with “any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups and places of origin.” He noted that the territory was created by adjusting the boundaries and excising land from the neighbouring states of Kwara, Niger, Plateau and Kaduna states, etc.He said, “The petitioners themselves agree in their paragraph 25 that Nigeria is one single constituency for the purpose of the presidential election.Thus, no part of that single constituency is superior to the other or carries a special status requiring a minimum threshold of votes not mandated in others.” | President-elect, Bola Tinubu, 25% in FCT, Presidential Election | Page 12 | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | Election Tribunal Receives 19 Petitions In Benue, Yet To Commence Sitting | The Elections Petition Tribunal in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has confirmed receipt of 19 petitions from aggrieved candidates of various political parties who participated in the recently concluded general elections. Secretary of the tribunal, Adejoke Okedara, told our correspondent yesterday that 18 of the petitions were filed by dissatisfied legislative candidates while only one was received from a governorship candidate. Adejoke disclosed that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a petition challenging the election of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The tribunal secretary said the panel was however yet to commence sitting over the petitions so far received. | Election petition tribunal, Benue State, Election petitions | Page 13 | 2 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | Senate Presidency: Kalu, Akpabio lead as South jostles for Lawan’s seat | With barely 60 days to the expiration of the present ninth National Assembly, the jostle for who takes over leadership of the 10th legislature is getting intense. Ahead of the announcement of the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) zoning arrangement for the election of National Assembly’s presiding officers, it emerged, yesterday, that the pre-presidential primary election politics, among others, is causing serious rumpus in the ruling party’s bid to make its nomination, which deferred decision on the matter till after Ramadan.The 10th Assembly will be inaugurated in June 2023 after the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is sworn in on May 29. In the red chamber, the 10th Assembly will be populated by APC lawmakers. Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Young Peoples Progressive Party (YPPP) will make up the 109 chamber. While APC clinched 57 seats, PDP claimed 29, LP has six seats, NNPP and SDP got two members each, while APGA and YPPP have one member apiece. Apart from the Senate presidency, positions such as the deputy Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives are up for grabs. Others are leaders of the majority and minority caucuses. They include the majority leader, deputy majority leader, majority or chief whip, deputy whip, minority leader, deputy minority leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip. Already, seven ranking senators have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed Ahmad Lawan as Senate President. They include Jibrin Barau (Kano Central), Sani Musa (Niger East), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West), Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Peter Ndubueze (Imo North) and Abdul’Aziz Yari (Zamfara West); just as debutant to the Upper chamber, Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, is giving the top seat a shot. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside a coalition of returning and new members-elect across political parties, yesterday, pledged to adhere to the zoning formula of the APC for electing presiding officers of the House. Gbajabiamila also faulted reports in a section of the media that he has a preferred candidate among those jostling to succeed him at the end of the Ninth Assembly, while particularly working against his deputy, Idris Wase. | National Assembly Elections, 10th National Assembly, Presiding Officers | Page 6 | 2 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | CSO demands probe, trial of electoral offenders | Spaces for Change (S4C) has called for the prompt investigation and prosecution of all those involved in violation of human rights and the rule of law during the recent general elections. In a statement by the Legal Officer, Patrick Allam, yesterday, the Lagos-based civil society group expressed concern about the fast shrinking civic space in the country, following astronomical increase in restrictions recorded by the Closing Spaces database during the elections. The statement reads: “The 2023 elections, like every electoral cycle since 1999, were characterised by incidents of voter suppression, electoral violence and attacks on press freedom, which constitute clear violations of human rights and democracy, as well as indicate a systemic regression of civil rights in the country. “The tensions have not abated in the days and weeks after the elections. News stations have been slammed with bogus fines for airing political interviews; politicians are fuelling inter-tribal tension, while there have been violent restrictions on access to justice for members of political opposition groups by security forces. In the last few weeks, the Closing Spaces database has documented multiple arrests of journalists and media practitioners. Serious questions have also been raised about how government-led surveillance is rapidly eroding the privacy of citizens. The framing of every social, political and ethnic discontent as treasonable felonies especially against opposition groups, the statement added, has surged to alarming levels never seen before"". Executive Director of S4C, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, noted recent events that sparked widespread apprehension and fear among activists, as the tendency to misuse technology is very high. She said: “S4C’s study report, Security Playbook on Digital Authoritarianism in Nigeria and the Civic Space in West Africa: Trends, Threats and Futures, anticipated these repressive trends and issued out early warning signals to activists, governments and citizens. “We urge the Nigerian government to respect and protect the rights of its citizens, including freedom of expression, association and assembly. We call for an end to all forms of violence and intimidation against journalists and media houses, political opposition groups, civil society organisations, and peaceful protesters"". S4C expressed solidarity with Nigerians, fight for their rights and for democracy. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support efforts to promote and protect human rights and democratic values in Nigeria.” | Spaces for Change, S4C, Press Statement, Electoral Offenders, 2023 General Elections | Page 7 | 2 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | Ahead of Rerun Polls, IG Deploys Personnel, Logistics in 24 States | Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, yesterday, ordered adequate deployment of supporting personnel and additional logistics for effective election security management during the forthcoming supplementary elections scheduled for Saturday, April 15. The polls will hold in specific areas across 24 states. A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said the additional support included the deployment of personnel, operational vehicles, non-lethal weapons, personal protective equipment (body armor), and anti-riot equipment. Adejobi said the IG had also directed all supervising senior police officers in charge of jurisdictions, where the supplementary elections would be held, particularly, the supplementary governorship elections in Adamawa and Kebbi states, to ensure the emplacement of adequate manpower and other resources for effective policing of the electoral process. He urged the electorate in the affected states to come out en masse to exercise their franchise and be law-abiding while maintaining peace and orderliness. He assured them that the police were poised to ensure the emplacement of a proper security arrangement for the supplementary polls to ensure that the elections were conducted in a peaceful and secure environment. | Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP, Supplementary Elections, Deployment of Police for Supplementary Election | Page 1 & 5 | 2 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 14th April 2023 | Tinubu: Atiku, PDP’s Petitions Gross Abuse of Judicial Process | President-elect Bola Tinubu, yesterday, told the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his party that their petition against his victory at the February 25 presidential election constituted a gross abuse of the judicial process. Tinubu, in a preliminary objection he filed against Atiku and PDP’s petition, dated March 21, stated that it was wrong for the petitioners to approach the tribunal with the same issues they had earlier filed at the Supreme Court. Tinubu dismissed Atiku as a serial loser, saying he has been losing presidential polls since 1993. The president-elect insisted that he clearly won majority of the votes cast at the presidential election and was rightly declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He observed that the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of PDP balkanised the main opposition party and affected the party’s fortunes at the election. But Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, lambasted Tinubu for trying to present the $460,000 forfeiture case as one relating to tax evasion and not drug charges, saying the former Lagos State governor could not outrun his past. In the petition filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the respondent observed that six states, comprising Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto, which were under the control of PDP had approached the Supreme Court to nullify the outcome of the presidential election. In their Originating Summons dated February 28, 2023, the plaintiffs had predicated their request on the grounds that INEC did not comply with its Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022. Specifically, they claimed that the failure of INEC to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to electronically transmit results of the elections substantially affected the credibility of the process. Tinubu insisted, “The petitioners herein, through themselves and/or their proxies filed the Originating Summons at the Supreme Court, before filing this petition. The petitioners are maintaining two processes in respect of the same subject and/or complaint of theirs, against the conduct of the presidential election held on 25th February 2023. “This latter petition is abusive of the Originating Summons filed at the Supreme Court and is liable to be dismissed in limine,” Outside the alleged incompetence of Atiku and PDP’s petition, Tinubu stated that claims by the petitioners that Atiku’s election was marred and invalidated by reason of corrupt practices was incompetent and not cognisable under the Electoral Act. | President-elect Bola Tinubu, Election Petition | Page 1 & 5 | 2 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | 48 Hours To Go: Anxiety In Adamawa, Kebbi, Others Ahead Supplementary Polls | Ahead of the supplementary elections scheduled for Saturday, an atmosphere of anxiety is pervading in some of the affected states, Daily Trust reports. While some political groups have stepped up protests in some of the states, others are calling for security deployment to avert any crisis. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on April 15, conduct supplementary elections in 2,660 polling units across 185 LGAs of 24 states. The commission had conducted the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, and the governorship and state houses of assembly polls on March 18. The supplementary elections include the governorship, state houses of assembly, senatorial and House of Representatives elections in constituencies where they were previously suspended due to some reasons, including violence and situations where the margin between the winner and the first runner-up was less than the votes cancelled. The supplementary governorship elections would be held in 20 LGAs of each of Adamawa and Kebbi states. Both states have 21 LGAs each. In Adamawa, the elections would be held in a total of 69 polling units (PUs) and 142 PUs in Kebbi State, with 36,935 and 94,209 eligible voters, respectively. The senatorial elections would be held in the northwestern states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara. In Sokoto, supplementary elections are to be held for all three senatorial seats—Sokoto North, Sokoto East and Sokoto South—where elections were earlier declared inconclusive. Elections would be held in 389 polling units across all 23 LGAs of the state. Altogether, there are 227,743 eligible voters expected to participate in the election. In Kebbi and Zamfara, elections are to be held in one senatorial district each – Kebbi North and Zamfara Central. While the election will be held in 23 PUs in the Kebbi North senatorial elections. Voters in 83 PUs would be voting in the Zamfara Central senatorial poll. They have 13,243 and 47,277 eligible voters, respectively. Similarly, supplementary elections for the House of Representatives would be held for 31 constituencies in 15 states. They are Akwa Ibom 2, Anambra 1, Bayelsa 1, Edo 1, Imo 1, Kano 2, Kebbi 2, Kogi 1, Oyo 2, Rivers 2, Sokoto 11, Taraba 1, Zamfara 2, Jigawa 1 and Ebonyi 1. In Adamawa, an air of uncertainty hangs in the political atmosphere as political groups continue to engage in protests a few days before the supplementary elections scheduled for Saturday, making it a state to watch. This is coming as the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunus Ari, raised an alarm over alleged threat to his life in an interview he granted journalists in Bauchi. Kebbi is also one of the states to watch in the supplementary election by INEC given the likely crisis that is building around the elections from two major political parties, the APC and the PDP, each aiming to win the governorship, state assembly and senatorial elections in the state. Before the March 18 governorship election, both parties had been trading accusations and counter-accusations over alleged plans to rig the elections. In Sokoto, Daily Trust reliably gathered that Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has petitioned INEC over the supplementary polls, alleging that election in some of the polling units earmarked were concluded and results validly declared and collated in forms EC8B(1). The petition, which was signed by the senior counsel, S. I. Ameh SAN, urged INEC to delist such polling units from those where the supplementary election would be conducted. Some observers say the parliamentary rerun election in the state may witness voter apathy and massive vote buying. During the March 18 election, INEC had declared the polls in the central senatorial zone, Gusau/Tsafe and Gummi/Bukkuyum as inconclusive. Zamfara central senatorial election is seen by many people as a hotly contested one because Senator Kabiru Marafa, believed to wield influence in Zamfara politics is being led in votes by ex-minister Aliyu Ikira Bilbis. | Supplementary Elections, 15th April, Adamawa, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Edo, Bayelsa, Imo, Kano, Kogi, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Ebonyi | Page 4 | 1 | |
| Daily Trust Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | Gov’ship Results: APC Petitions Tribunals In Kano, Plateau, Rivers | The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates have filed petitions at the election petition tribunals in Kano, Plateau and Rivers states challenging the outcome of the March 18 governorship polls. The Kano State chapter of the APC has filed a petition before the Kano election tribunal challenging the emergence of Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as governor-elect.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Yusuf as winner of the election conducted on March 18, 2023. The final results announced by the returning officer, Professor Ahmad Doko Ibrahim, said Yusuf polled 1,019,602 while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, polled 890,705 to come second. Daily Trust reports that Gawuna had conceded defeat and congratulated Yusuf a week after the announcement of the final results. However, the APC in a five-volume petition is alleging that Abba Kabir Yusuf was not qualified to contest the election on the grounds that his name was allegedly not in the list of members of NNPP sent to INEC. However, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, was not joined as a party in the petition as parties involved are the APC, the petitioner and on the other hand, NNPP, Abba Kabir Yusuf and INEC as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively. The APC also alleged that the NNPP did not win the election with the majority of lawful votes, arguing that some of the votes cast for them were invalid and if removed from their scores, APC will have the highest number of votes cast. The party said the Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was wrong for declaring Abba Yusuf the winner, arguing that the margin of lead was not higher than the votes cancelled, arguing that the election ought to have been declared inconclusive. The petitioner is asking the court to declare APC as winner of the election.The respondents have 21 days to respond to the petition after the court processes served on them. Similarly, the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State, Nentawe Yilwatda, has filed a 400-page petition against the state’s governor-elect, Caleb Mutfuwang of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the election petition tribunal in Jos.In the petition, Nentawe predicated his petition on three grounds. He claimed that Caleb Mutfwang was not qualified to contest the election, arguing that he should be disqualified for “non-compliance” with the Electoral Act. The APC governorship candidate who is the first petitioner also contended that Mutfwang was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast during the election, among others. Nine candidates that participated in the March 18 governorship election in Rivers State have filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the outcome of the March 18 polls. INEC had declared candidate of the PDP, Sim Fubara, who scored 302,614 votes as winner of the election, but opposition parties were not satisfied with the outcome of the polls. Those who have filed a petition at the tribunal are: Comrade Beatrice Itubo (Labour Party), Tekena Iyagba (Boot Party), Innocent Ekwu (APM), Etete Sobere (PRP), Gabriel Gborogbosi (Action Alliance), Magnus Abe (SDP), Pastor Tonye Cole (APC) and Dumo Lulu Briggs (Accord Party). | Kano State chapter of the APC, Kano State Governor- elect Kabir Yusuf, Election petition, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, APC governorship candidate in Plateau State, Nentawe Yilwatda, Plateau State Governor- elect Caleb Mutfuwang, Rivers State Governor-elect, Sim Fubara | Page 10 | 1 | |
| Blue Print | 13th April 2023 | APC to tribunal: Atiku’s petition vague, meaningless, denies supplying BVAS to INEC | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tackled the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of raising spurious and wild allegations in his bid to discredit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ruling party, in a case it filed before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) sitting in Abuja, said there was no truth in Atiku’s allegation that its leadership was involved in the supply of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines that INEC deployed for the conduct of the general elections. APC said it was not aware that INEC procured the BVAS machines from a company belonging to one of its members, Senator Muhammed Sani Musa. The party said even if Senator Muhammed Sani Musa is a director of Actirate Technologies Limited, he has nothing to do with the operations and day-to-day activities of the company.The party further dismissed Atiku’s claim that INEC compromised by awarding contract for the production of sensitive materials that were used for the general elections to a company owned by one of its chieftains. While praying the court to dismiss Atiku’s petition, the APC argued that the presidential election that was won by its candidate, Ahmed Tinubu, “met all the requirements and reflected the will of the Nigerian electorate.”On the issue of qualification, the APC listed Tinubu’s academic certificates as part of documents to be entered in evidence before the court, saying Atiku’s contention was “vague, bare and meaningless as having the constitutional threshold is not part of the requirement to contest an election. It said Atiku’s petition was devoid of necessary particulars/information to support allegation of corrupt practices, violence and non – compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act. | Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, Election Petition, PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, INEC, BVAS, President-elect, Bola Tinubu | https://bit.ly/41juksk | 1 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | Labour Party: Obi’s Traducers Trailed Him to UK, Bent on Implicating Him | Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council has accused political opponents of plotting to frame the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by impersonating him. Spokesperson of the Obi-Datti Media Office, Diran Onifade, disclosed this in a statement yesterday. Onifade said Obi, who was in the United Kingdom to celebrate Easter, was harassed by London immigration officials and placed on detention, but for the spontaneous reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport. He explained that on arrival at the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria, on Good Friday, April 7, the former Anambra State governor joined the queue for the necessary airport protocols. “Obi was accosted by immigration officials, who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside,” the statement added. Onifade said it was strange, especially for a man, who lived in the UK for decades, to be subjected to interrogation and detention for a long time. The statement added, “The immigration officials, who were also taken aback at the reaction of the people, were forced to reveal that Obi was being questioned for a duplication offense, meaning that someone has been impersonating him in London.“The high implication of the offense is that the impersonator could be committing all kinds of weighty crimes and other dubious acts and it would be recorded in Obi’s name. “Since the impersonator is still at large, the scenario is unimaginable, as Obi could be implicated in a series of forbidden acts and even be framed in a manner that could be a huge embarrassment to him, his family, his party, the Obidient Movement, and, indeed, Nigeria, where he currently and indisputably remains the conscience of the people.” Onifade said since Obi vowed to pursue his case at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, he had become the subject of attack from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “Finally, let it be known that in the face of the flurry of unwarranted attacks and cogs being placed in the wheel of rescuing our dear country, Obi strongly believes that a new Nigeria is possible, where the people will be able to live in a secure and productive country they will all be proud to own. | Impersonation, LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, UK | Page 1 & 10 | 1 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | Tinubu’s Media Team Dismisses Claim Election Worst in History | Some representatives of Tinubu, yesterday, told a cross section of journalists in the United States of America that the claim in some quarters that the 2023 general election was the “worst” in Nigeria’s political history was totally unfounded. The representatives, who included the Chief Spokesperson of the Tinubu campaign and Minister of State for Labour, Mr Festus Keyamo; Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare and Assistant Principal Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngalale, made the assertion at a parley held with the international media, at the National Press Center, Washington DC, USA. Keyamo, in a text titled: The Presidential Election 2023: Separating the Facts from Fictions, stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did everything to ensure that the general election was free, fair, transparent and credible, adding that the international observers, who came to the country to monitor the polls all attested to the credibility of the election. Keyamo noted that Buhari created a level playing field for all contestants through the passage of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the introduction of various technology to enhance the quality of the election. Besides, Keyamo noted that, “There was also complete non-interference in the political process by state institutions. There were no reports of deployment of security agents or state apparati in support of the candidate of the ruling party.” The Chief Spokesperson also claimed that contrary to the false outcry by the opposition, the main technological device, Bi-modal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), did not fail on the election day, adding that “the portal that the opposition made so much noise about, IREV, is just a viewing portal, which has nothing to do with accreditation or verification of voters or even the counting or recording of votes. While further asserting the credibility of the general election, Keyamo told the gathering that it was only Tinubu, who met the constitutional requirements “especially that of the spread (he scored 25 per cent and above in 29 states), even though all the three top candidates won 12 states each. | Chief Spokesperson of the Tinubu campaign and Minister of State for Labour, Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, Assistant Principal Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngalale, INEC, 2023 General Elections, Media Interview | Page 44 | 1 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | LP Leadership Crisis: TUC Declares Support for Abure, Warns Others to Steer Clear | The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday said it has decided to align fully with the Labour Party (LP) under the leadership of Mr. Julius Abure following the crisis that erupted in the party. TUC which along with the sister labour centre, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), are major stakeholders in LP. Crisis recently erupted in LP when the national chairman was allegedly suspended by his ward in Edo State and subsequently followed by two contradicting court injunctions, one ordering Abure and his party executives to step aside and another ordering that he remains in charge until the case would be decided. However, in a statement jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifoh and General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the union said the Abure-led executive has its support to continue in office. It said the use of intimidation, violence and non-democratic means to settle scores by some persons was unacceptable. It said it has been monitoring and following up closely with some sad developments within the party. “After carefully monitoring the situation, further consultations, and review of the multiple court orders, we are aligning fully with the Labour Party under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure. Furthermore, we call on the teeming supporters of our party to give the National Chairman all the required support to deliver on its mandate until a national convention is held where new officers will be elected or the current ones returned,” it said. TUC expressed worry that in the past few weeks, internal disagreements in the Labour Party, have spilled into the public space. | Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, LP leadership crisis, LP National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure | Page 12 | 1 | |
| This Day Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | Diri, Anyanwu Emerge PDP Guber Candidates for Bayelsa, Imo | The Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, and the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, have emerged the PDP governorship candidate for the November 11 Bayelsa and Imo States governorship elections. This followed the PDP primaries held yesterday in Yenogoa state secretariat and in Imo State along the Okigwe Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital, THISDAY gathered. This is part of the off-cycle governorship elections expected to hold in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States on November 11, 2023. According to the State Organising Secretary of the PDP, Lawrence Biado, the seven-man electoral panel constituted by the National Working Committee headed by Kenneth Okon,was present to monitor the primary in Imo. A former governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha, was conspicuously absent after he pulled out of the PDP governorship race, weeks ago. Anyanwu is expected to challenge the re-election of Governor Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In January 2020, the Supreme Court sacked Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State after barely seven months in office.In Yenogoa, however, Diri, who was the only governorship candidate, polled 305 votes to clinch the ticket. | PDP Imo State Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP Bayelsa State Governorshiop Candidate, governor, Douye Diri | Page 44 | 1 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | Rep advocates emergency declaration on women exclusion from governance | The only female aspirant for Speakership of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Miriam Onuoha, yesterday, sought declaration of a state of emergency on women exclusion from governance in Nigeria. Officially declaring her interest to vie for the coveted seat, yesterday, in Abuja, Onuoha urged the political elite to address the issue. The Chairman, House Committee on Disabilities and Special Needs regretted that women, who constitute over 60 per cent of the voting population, could only account for paltry three per cent representation in government. She said it has become a rarity to find women on the entire protocol list of the country. The Imo State-born politician, who called on peers to support her aspiration, submitted that her emergence would bridge the gender gap nationwide. | Aspirant for Speakership of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Miriam Onuoha, Low female representation in governance | Page 3 | 1 | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | 13th April 2023 | I ’ll renounce my Nigerian citizenship if Tinubu becomes President, says Ojikutu | Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sinatu Ojikutu, has said that she will renounce her Nigerian citizenship if the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, is sworn in. Ojikutu, who spoke with journalists at her Ikoyi residence, said that her safety is no longer guaranteed. She said: “Lagos has been disadvantaged. I refuse to visit Lagos Island where I come from because everywhere is a mess. All the streets are filled with water and potholes. “I have decided that before I am eliminated, I will come out and say what is in my mind. I hope to get the citizenship of a nation I can be happy in as corruption is endemic in this country. People are lobbying to occupy ministerial and other appointments. I am ashamed to call myself a former public officer. ou cannot say that you are one Nigeria and you are suppressing a particular region. You don’t want them to get the presidency shot. If you don’t want them as number one, let them go. If you don’t want them to go, then give them the chance to be number one". | Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sinatu Ojikutu, 2023 Presidential Election, President-elect, Bola Tinubu | Page 5 | 1 |