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Timi Frank Urges USA, UK, EU To Prevail On Buhari, INEC Not To Postpone Elections

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Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, called for the intervention of the United States, United Kingdom and European Union to prevent plot to postpone the forthcoming general election.

Frank who made this call in a statement in Abuja said there is a potent plot by enemies of democracy to cause a postponement of the elections to enable them perfect their rigging strategies.

According to him, it has become imperative for leaders of advanced democracies and defenders of freedoms like the USA, UK and EU, among others, to impress it on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to succumb to APC’s blackmail but to conduct the elections as scheduled.

He insisted that there intervention would not only ensure that the elections are held as scheduled but will help save democracy in Nigeria.

He said recent media reports that the APC is seeking postponement of the election for four weeks has vindicated his position that the ruling party has commenced plot to derail the elections.

He said: “The purpose of calling for shift of date of elections is not in the interest of Nigerians, it is being motivated by their Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who used a similar method to emerge flagbearer of the party for 2023.”

He insisted that APC Governors at the behest of Tinubu have been mobilized to blackmail INEC and Buhari to postpone the elections so as to enable them perfect their rigging plot.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, said the APC is seeking to buy time because “they know they if elections are held today they will lose.”

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He said: “APC Governors have no right to complain that people in rural areas are suffering because of fuel and Naira scarcity since they are directly responsible for the pains and suffering in the first place.

“After all, the APC Presidential candidate has confirmed to Nigerians that his party has failed hence the excruciating poverty and pains in the land.

“This is the very reason Nigerians wants the elections to hold as scheduled so they can end the tenure of this wicked and uncaring administration for good.”

He said it has become necessary for the international community to mount strong diplomatic pressure on the President not to heed the advice of nay sayers because any posts would plunge the country into unimaginable crisis.

He said the current riots in the South West and parts of South South over fuel and Naira scarcity were sponsored by the APC so they can use it as strategy to prevail on INEC and the President to shift the elections.

He added: “However, this is not the strategy of Nigeria because Nigerians are ready to go to the polls to elect their representatives for which they have since collected their PVCs.

“Already the CBN has assured INEC that whatever logistics needed by INEC to conduct the elections would be provided to make conduct of the elections seamless.

“Why is it that it is only the ruling party that is crying over a policy which they initiated. They are not working to win the elections. They are working to steal the elections. That is why they need time.

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“If elections are shifted today, Nigerians will revolt because it would be tantamount to a denial of their inalienable rights.”

He urged Buhari to remain resolute and stand by his promise to bequeath a legacy of credible elections to Nigeria “which will invariably start from keeping faith with the dates as already announced.”

He further said Nigerians are worried about judgements emanating from the Supreme Court of recent and called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, not to play politics with election cases or confer regional advantage on particular parties or aspirants.

He said: “How can aspirants who did not partake in primary election like Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senate President Ahmad Lawan suddenly be declared by the Supreme Court as senatorial candidates irrespective of the rightful winners of those elections?

“How can the apex court hurriedly rule against the ban on old Naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria, knowing fully well that the ruling would enable the APC to use slush funds denominated in old notes to engage in vote buying during the election?”

He called on the CJN to remain unbiased and an impartial jurist notwithstanding he of the Yoruba tribe from the South West where the APC’s presidential candidate hails from.

Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East

Politics

Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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Reactions trail Edo tribunal judgement

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Mixed reactions have continued to trail the tribunal’s judgment affirming the election of Gov. Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

It dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Reacting to the judgment, the Edo chapter of the PDP expressed disappointment with the ruling delivered by the three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.

Chris Nehikhare, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said the party was waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment before making further decisions.

“PDP is disappointed with the judgment of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel.

“As a party, we are waiting for the Certified True Copy. We will study it and decide on our next course of action,” Nehikhare said.

Mr Aslem Ojezua, a former PDP chieftain who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was unsurprised by the tribunal’s decision, as the petition lacked merit.

“What I expect now is for Ighodalo to congratulate Okpebholo and join hands in solving the problems confronting our people and communities,” Ojezua said.

He added that the verdict was clear, highlighting the distinction between legal and sensational issues.

Chief Dan Orbih, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), said the tribunal had spoken, and they could not question its ruling.

Orbih stated that PDP would now focus on bringing back members who left during the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.

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He emphasised that efforts would commence to rebuild the party in Edo State following the election setback.

Orbih blamed the PDP’s struggles on former Gov. Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of driving members away from the party.

“Unfortunately, the former governor brought distress, division, and disaster to the PDP.

“Today, I did not see his face among those at the tribunal, waiting for the judgment outcome.

“As it stands, lawyers will study the verdict and make a decision after a careful review of the well-established ruling,” he said. (NAN)

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Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Confirms Monday Okpebholo as Governor

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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.

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