Politics
Edo Guber: Tribunal grants PDP’s request to inspect election materials
The Edo Election Petition Tribunal on Monday granted the PDP and its candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo request to inspect all election materials used for the Sept. 21 governorship election in the state.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice W.I. Kpochi granted the order in an exparte motion filed by Ighodalo and the party.
The exparte motion dated Sept. 27 was filed by Rotimi.O. Ogunseso, SAN, with Seun Olusuyi, counsel to the applicants.
The petition and affidavits was sworn to by Osasere Adagbonyin.
In the petition, all the prayers of the petitioners were granted by the tribunal.
The Certified True Copy of the order signed by the Secretary of the tribunal, Mauzu Ibrahim, ordered INEC to produce and make available all the materials used for the election.
The documents listed by the applicants and granted by the tribunal are all forms EC8A, forms EC8B, forms EC8C, forms EC8D, forms EC8E, forms EC25B, forms EC25B(i) used at the election.
Also granted are all forms EC40A, forms EC40C, forms EC40G and EC40G(i) used at the gubernatorial election
The court also ordered INEC to make all the polling unit results , Forms EC8A uploaded to its IREV portal from the poling unit, list of accredited agents of all the political parties that participated in the gubernatorial election.
Others are, voters register for each of the polling units, total number of BVAS machines deployed to the poling units, serial number of each BVAS machines matched against the specific polling units.
Other materials to be inspected included statement and report of the number of accredited voters recorded on and extracted directly from the BVAS machines used at all the polling units for the election.
The tribunal further ordered INEC to produce and make available to the applicants record and list of polling units where election results were not uploaded to INEC IREV portal as at Sept. 22 when the results of the election were announced.
It also directed that record of the posting of INEC adhoc staff for the 4,519 polling units, number of Permanent Voters Cards,( PVCs) collected in each polling units be made available to the applicants.
Speaking to newsmen at INEC office in Benin, Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, said they were at INEC Office in furtherance of the court order and the applicants’ attempt to get the electoral materials inspected
According to Jolaawo, we came here today in furtherance of the tribunal order we obtained on Sept 29, 2024 and to get materials to fresh up our petition
“Now, when we got here today, we were not able to get audience with the REC but we were able to see the head of legal unit, who told us that they were preparing a schedule for our inspection.
“The risk involved is obvious to everybody, and the time expires on Saturday for us to file our petition and today is Monday, ” he said.(NAN)
Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.
Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.
He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.
“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.
“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.
Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.
He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”
Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.
According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.
He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.
In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.
“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.
He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.
“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.
He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.
“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.
He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.
“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)
The Labour Party has announced the indefinite suspension of six prominent members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senators Darlington Nwokocha and Ireti Kingibe, over alleged anti-party activities.
Others suspended are Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowumi.
The party’s National Executive Council said the decision followed the recommendations of a five-man Disciplinary Committee set up on May 2, 2025, to probe allegations of anti-party conduct.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, on Wednesday, the party said the suspension takes immediate effect and bars the affected members from participating in any Labour Party activities.
The statement read, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr.Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti party activities.
“The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.
“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr. Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.”
The party also addressed the omission of Nenadi Usman from the suspension list, stating that she is not a registered member of the Labour Party, but a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added.
It also accused Usman of lacking the moral authority to comment on corruption, citing her alleged plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and purported asset forfeitures.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its stance on political alliances, the Labour Party said it would not join any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter,” the statement concluded
Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, has articulated his reasons for transitioning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Tuesday, Agbebaku, accompanied by two fellow House members, Hon. Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Hon. Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje, announced their defection to the APC. In an official address to his colleagues on Wednesday, Agbebaku stated that his decision was motivated by the desire to preserve the advantages associated with his role as Speaker, which he believes are vital for the advancement of his constituency.
He remarked, “I shifted my allegiance to the APC to ensure the benefits of the Speaker’s position continue to foster development in my constituency. My focus is not on the political party itself, but rather on the progress of our area. If I were to abandon this position for party allegiance, it would hinder the development efforts in my community, indicating a lack of commitment to serve my constituents.”
Agbebaku further informed his colleagues, “I want to officially announce that as of yesterday, I, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, have defected to the APC.” He emphasized that his constituents support his decision, highlighting ongoing developmental projects in the Owan West constituency initiated by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He concluded by stating that his defection was not motivated by personal interests but by a dedication to the welfare of those who elected him, asserting, “Politics revolves around interests, but my focus is on the interests of my people who entrusted me with this mandate.”