The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has upheld the election victory of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who represents Abia-North Senatorial zone.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling unequivocally upheld Senator Kalu’s electoral success, affirming the legitimacy of his victory under the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The court rejected arguments from the petitioners, Mao Ohuabunwa of the PDP and Nnamdi Iro Orji of the Labour Party, who asserted that elections did not take place in over 120 polling units, primarily in Ohafia and Arochukwu Local Government Areas of the senatorial zone.
The panel also dismissed Nnamdi Iro Orji’s attempt to disqualify Senator Kalu based on an alleged admission of fraud before the Federal High Court.
The panel held that there was no valid conviction of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu under section 66 of the Nigerian constitution, as the previous conviction had been nullified.
In a significant constitutional interpretation, the court validated Senator Kalu’s eligibility to contest the election, emphasizing that his trial and conviction had been quashed by the Supreme Court.
This decision upheld Senator Kalu’s candidacy and rejected three other grounds raised by the Labour Party candidate.
Senator Orji Kalu, a prominent figure in the APC, secured his victory, as declared by the INEC returning Officer for Abia North, Mr Chinedu Nnamdi, in Ohafia.
Senator Kalu, a two-time lawmaker who chairs the Senate committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, was declared the winner with 30,805 votes, defeating his closest opponent, Nnamdi, who garnered 27,540 votes.
Mao Ohuabunwa of the PDP secured third place with 15,175 votes.
This court ruling has affirmed the legitimacy of Senator Orji Kalu’s representation of Abia-North Senatorial zone, providing a clear legal foundation for his victory in the keenly contested February 25 Senatorial polls.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially recognized Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate governor of Edo State.
In a series of three judgments, the tribunal rejected petitions submitted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, and Accord Party.
The tribunal determined that the PDP did not present any witnesses to substantiate its claims of overvoting.
Specifically, the PDP failed to bring forth polling unit agents from the locations where they alleged electoral discrepancies occurred.
Furthermore, the tribunal noted that among the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the primary witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy for the PDP, had no involvement in the election’s execution.
Additionally, the tribunal remarked that the BVAS evidence submitted by the petitioners was inadequately presented.
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)
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,
“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.
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)
