On Wednesday, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Abuja, dismissed the Action Alliance’s (AA) petition aimed at overturning the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi and comprising a three-member panel, determined that the petition, filed by AA and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was without merit.

The tribunal concluded that the issues raised in the petition were pre-election matters, falling outside its jurisdiction to adjudicate.

The petitioners claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had excluded their legitimate candidate from the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. They argued that, in contradiction to several court rulings, INEC recognized a candidate who had not been validly nominated by the party.

Furthermore, the petitioners contended that INEC’s failure to publish the name of their party’s rightful candidate constituted a significant violation of Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act.

In addition to these claims, they asserted that Governor Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not receive the majority of legitimate votes and that the election was tainted by corrupt practices.

As a result, they sought the annulment of the election; however, the tribunal panel denied their request on Wednesday.

The panel upheld all preliminary objections raised against the petition. The respondents, including INEC and Governor Okpebholo, argued that the National Chairman of the AA lacked the standing to file the action, as he did not participate in the gubernatorial election.

They also asserted that the petition was barred by statute, as it involved pre-election issues that exceeded the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

It is noteworthy that AA’s candidate, Mr. Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, withdrew from the race in favor of Governor Okpebholo just days before the election.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has successfully rescued two students from the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) who were kidnapped on Sunday, March 30.

In a statement released to the media on Tuesday in Lafia, Police Spokesman SP Ramhan Nansel provided details of the incident. He reported that the command received an emergency call regarding an attack on a student lodge around 9:20 PM on March 30, during which two students were taken hostage.

“At approximately 9:20 PM on March 30, we were alerted to an attack at a student lodge located behind Nasara Estate, Tudun Kauri, Lafia. During this assault, two Federal University Lafia students, Sadiq Adinoyi and Sakina Adinoyi, were abducted,” SP Nansel stated.

Following immediate instructions from Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, members of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and ‘A’ Division in Lafia were dispatched to locate the assailants.

Nansel elaborated that, based on technical intelligence, the rescue team identified the location where the victims were held— a forest area behind the 500 housing unit along Doma Road.

“The team engaged the suspects in a gunfight within the forest. The overwhelming firepower of the police forced the assailants to retreat, abandoning the victims, who were safely rescued,” the spokesperson noted.

Additionally, one suspect, identified as Ibrahim Musa from Abuni village in Awe Local Government Area, was apprehended at the scene. Nansel indicated that the suspect has provided valuable information and is aiding ongoing investigations.

On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Nansel expressed gratitude to the anti-kidnapping unit for their unwavering efforts in the rescue operation. He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to combating crime and encouraged officers to remain resolute in their mission to eliminate criminal activities in the state.