Politics
Edo governorship poll: Tribunal scolds PDP over failure to produce witnesses
The Edo Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday in Abuja, berated the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, over their failure to produce witnesses in court.
PDP and Asue were to produce witnesses to testify in the petition they filed seeking the nullification of the governorship election which took place in the state on Sept. 21, 2024.
The tribunal had its first sitting in Abuja following it’s relocation to the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that a statement issued by the Secretary of the Tribunal, Mr Mu’azu Bagudu announced the tribunal ‘s relocation to Abuja
Although no reason was expressly stated for the move,however, political experts opined that the move may not be far from the rising issue of insecurity and purported fears of plots to burn down the building housing the tribunal.
Listed as respondents in the suit are the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Gov. Monday Okpebholo and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
At the resumed sitting in the matter, counsel to the PDP and Ighodalo, Mr Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, called their witness, Mr Oseyili Anenih for cross examination.
NAN also recalls that Anenih had given his evidence-in-chief as PW-12 while the tribunal was sitting in Benin.
After Anenih was cross examined by all the respondents and was discharged, the senior lawyer told the tribunal that most of their other witnesses had suffered travel disruptions.
“My lords, this is the reason we are unable to present them today. We urge your Lordships to give us another date.
“We undertake that on the next date, we will bring as many witnesses as may be convenient for the tribunal.
“We will also work assiduously to prime down our witnesses,”Oyeyipo prayed the tribunal.”
Miffed by the development, the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal berated the petitioners for wasting the judicial time of the tribunal.
Kpochi said that the tribunal had earlier asked other parties that also lodged petitions challenging the outcome of the governorship election to take new dates so that Tuesday could be dedicated to hearing the PDP’s petition.
“What you are just telling us is not good at all! Why then did we ask the other petitioners to take dates? We should have heard them today.
“In fact, call those your witnesses, tell them to come, we are ready for them to come today,” Justice Kpochi said.
The counsel, however, pleaded that the witnesses may not be in the right frame of mind to mount the dock after their travel experiences.
The tribunal subsequently adjourned the matter untill Thursday.
Earlier, Anenih told the tribunal that though there were a total of 4,519 polling units in Edo , the PDP and its candidate were challenging the results of 765 polling units.
Anenih, who told the tribunal that he served as the Director of Research and Strategy for the PDP, during the election admitted that he did not visit all the polling units during the election.
He told the tribunal that most of the results given to local government collation agents did not reach the state collation agents but ended up in the PDP situation room because the agents were prevented from transmitting them to the state collation centres.
The witness maintained that if the lawful votes that were cast on the election day were sincerely collated, his candidate, Ighodalo, would have emerged victorious having polled the highest number of valid votes.
Answering questions from Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, counsel to Gov. Okpebholo, the witness admitted that they did not have any physical access to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, Machines, that were used for the election.
He, however said that they were able to get some screenshots of it, which they tendered in evidence.
He said they had since subpoenaed INEC to make the machines available before the tribunal.
While being cross-examined by counsel to the APC, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, the witness confirmed that he was not trained by INEC to play any role during the election.
He further admitted that none of the polling unit results was handed over to him personally by agents of the party.
When he was handed one of the Exhibits to look at, the witness confirmed to the tribunal that out of 16 copies of the results in the bundle, only three of them were stamped.
“To us, that three that were stamped is significant enough. It represents almost 20 per cent ,” the witness insisted.
NAN recalls that the PDP and its candidate had approached the tribunal praying it to nullify the outcome of the governorship election.
They based their petition on the grounds of alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act and other malpractices.
They insisted that Gov. Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of majority of the valid votes cast at the election to be declared winner.(NAN)
The Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC) has commended the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its pivotal ruling that reaffirms the rule of law and the integrity of democratic processes amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party.
The LPPMC stated, “This judgement, which nullified the illegitimate conventions orchestrated by the defunct Julius Abure-led faction, is a triumph for democracy and a strong rebuke of political impunity.”
In a statement released by its National Coordinator, Dr Kingsley Okundaye, the LPPMC expressed unwavering support for the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, and members of the former National Transition Committee, whose relentless efforts to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability to the Labour Party have been vindicated by the judiciary.
The LPPMC praised their “dogged” commitment to rescuing the party from the clutches of political opportunists who sought to exploit it for personal gain.
Additionally, the LPPMC welcomed the swift clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 8 May 2025, which refuted misleading media reports claiming recognition of unauthorised individuals as Labour Party leaders. INEC’s statement, signed by Chief Press Secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi, reaffirmed that the Commission had not made any decisions regarding the Labour Party and emphasised its commitment to reviewing the Supreme Court judgement before taking lawful action.
Okundaye urged INEC to maintain its bold and impartial stance, stressing that democracy flourishes when institutions courageously reject undue influence and uphold constitutional mandates.
The LPPMC encouraged INEC to expedite its review process and formally recognise the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate interim leadership of the Labour Party, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The LPPMC condemned the desperate attempts of the defunct Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), whose tenure expired on 8 June 2024, noting that their recent efforts to suspend duly elected officials such as Governor Alex Otti and Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha are a ridiculous charade, and “a dead lion’s growl” lacking any legitimacy.
Joining millions of Nigerians, the LPPMC rejected any agenda to impose a one-party state or undermine the coalition of progressive forces ahead of the 2027 elections. It called on all patriotic Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to support the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Committee in auditing the Labour Party’s finances and revealing the years of corruption under the Abure faction.
Okundaye emphasised the need to pressure INEC to act decisively in recognising lawful leadership and removing impostors from its records, resisting anti-democratic coalitions that prioritise personal interests over national liberation.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands vigilance, courage, and collective action. Let us build on this momentum to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from predatory elites.”
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has levelled serious accusations against the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, claiming he has attempted to utilise the party’s platform to incite insurrection in Nigeria.
In a recent appearance on News Central, Arabambi dismissed Obi’s assertions that he won the last presidential election, further igniting the ongoing internal disputes within the party.
This statement follows a significant decision made by the faction of the party led by Peter Obi, who recently announced the indefinite suspension of several notable members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha (Abia Central), citing alleged anti-party activities.
The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja, where members reviewed the findings of a five-member Disciplinary Committee established the week prior.
Chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the committee included National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim and three other senior party officials, tasked with investigating the misconduct allegations against those suspended.
Following what they termed “exhaustive deliberation” and in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution, the NEC ratified the committee’s recommendations.
Other members suspended with immediate effect include Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
Arabambi expressed disbelief at the audacity of Otti and Obi, stating, “How can Alex Otti and Obi claim to be chairman and secretary? They even have the nerve to write to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) as chairman and secretary to convene a NEC meeting.”
He referenced specific sections of the party’s constitution, asserting, “Section 82(1) stipulates that such letters must be signed by the national chairman of the party, and Section 12 clearly states that any association wishing to register as a political party must have its own constitution. Furthermore, Section 3, number 222 of the Constitution forbids caretakers from managing the affairs of a political party.”
Arabambi went on to criticise the party’s leadership, saying, “They brought in Dr. Doyin Okupe; now they have turned to Nenadi Usman.” He alleged that Usman has an unresolved matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dating back to 2015, adding, “Obi is synonymous with associating with corrupt individuals.”
He continued, “They claim to be nationalists, but they are nothing but intruders — people intent on setting Nigeria ablaze. Peter Obi and others do not love Nigeria; they require the platform to unleash chaos for political insurrection.”
Arabambi concluded, “They assert they were robbed in the 2023 election, but I am here to tell Nigerians through your station that were not rigged. The individuals Peter Obi relied upon were responsible for our electoral misfortunes.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.