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Alleged bias: APC, Sylva seek disbandment of Bayelsa Election Petition Tribunal

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Timipre Sylva, the governorship candidate in the Nov. 11, 2023 Bayelsa governorship election, on Monday, seek the disbandment of the state’s election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja over alleged undue bias.

The APC and Sylva alleged that the tribunal, headed by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, was bias in the conduct of proceedings, findings and decisions, therefore, demanded its outright disbandment and reconstitution.

In a petition to the President of the Court of Appeal, the party and its candidate accused the tribunal of denying them thier constitutional right to fair hearing as required by law.

They claimed that they had lined up 234 witnesses to establish their petition against the declaration of Gov. Douye Diri as winner of the poll.

In the petition dated March 4 and signed by Sylvester Elema, SAN, they alleged that the tribunal turned the table against them with an order that the 234 witnesses must be called within seven days only.

The lawyer said though they had agreed to call 25 witnesses daily, they lamented that the tribunal allowed them to call only eight witnesses per day.

He said it was against this backdrop that they had no option than to hurriedly close their case on Feb. 27 after calling only 49 out of their 234 witnesses.

Elema submitted that the action of the tribunal was a clear breach of the rights of the petitioners to fair hearing by preventing them from calling all their witnesses when the panel still had three months to sit.

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Besides, he alleged that in the records of proceedings they obtained, the tribunal made several comments and observations in writing which pointed to the facts that the tribunal had made up its mind to go the way of the respondents.

He claimed that the tribunal distorted oral testimony of their witnesses in the record of proceedings and had also made findings and decisions in respect of the authenticity and weight of polling unit election results they tendered.

The tribunal was accused of coming to the wrong conclusions in its findings that “the pattern of writing witness statements on oath employed by the petitioners was same and done by same person.”

He also accused the tribunal of being grossly unfair to them in its written comments that “comparisons done on two exhibits showed same lettering.”

The senior counsel therefore demanded for immediate dissolution of the tribunal and reconstitution of a new one that would conduct unbiased proceedings in the remaining three months life span of the petition.

In a separate letter they brought to the tribunal through their counsel Mr R. O. Balogun, APC and Sylva demanded that the tribunal should adjourn proceedings in the matter indefinitely pending the time the Court of Appeal President would come out with a decision on the petition.

Upon resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Adeleye informed lawyers to various parties of a petition questioning the members neutrality and integrity and seeking indefinite adjournment in the hearing of the case.

The judge said that he did not know where the tribunal members had gone wrong as alleged by APC and Sylva and called for reactions.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s lawyer, Charles Edosomwan, SAN said that both APC and Sylva were not fair to the tribunal in their allegations of bias and distortion of facts.

In the same vein, similar views were expressed by Chris Uche, SAN, who appeared for Gov. Diri; Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN, counsel to Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, who represented People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

After brief reactions, they agreed that the adjournment be granted as requested by complainants.

Justice Adeleye thereafter adjourned the matter sine-die (indefinitely) to await the decision of the Court of Appeal President on the allegations of biass and denial of fair hearing as raised by the petitioners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the APC and Sylva filed the petition marked: EPT/BY/Gov/04/2023, INEC, Gov. Diri, Ewhrujakpo and PDP are respondents.(NAN

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SDP condemns Kogi govt’s ban on rallies

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The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.

State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.

The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.

Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.

“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.

He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)

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How mega opposition coalition can defeat Tinubu in 2027 election —Ex-presidential candidate

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The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.

Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,

“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.

“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.

“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.

“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.

“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.

He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.

Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.

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He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested

Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.

He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.

NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.

Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)

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APC grants Governor Otu automatic ticket for 2027 election

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.

Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.

Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.

He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.

“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.

He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”

He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.

“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.

He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.

Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.

He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis. (NAN)

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