Politics

Edo Guber Election Petition Tribunal to Reconvene Tomorrow

Published

1 year ago

January 19, 2025

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The ongoing legal battle regarding the September 21st governorship election in Edo State, the state’s election petition tribunal convened on Saturday, January 18, 2025, to consider the petition filed by Ighodalo Akintunde Asuelimen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Asuelimen is challenging the election victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The tribunal, operating under petition number EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, is tasked with reviewing the claims brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other respondents involved in the contentious election process.

During the proceedings, the tribunal provisionally admitted a plethora of documents submitted by the petitioners, a step viewed as crucial in validating their claims.

Counsel for the petitioners outlined the verification process undertaken by all parties prior to the submission of diverse documents as evidence, despite facing objections from the opposing respondents. These objections were noted, with the respondents opting to reserve their arguments for the final written addresses, indicating a protracted legal battle ahead.

The tribunal’s provisional admission of these extensive documents is one step for the petitioners, albeit with the understanding that further conditions may be imposed before these documents are fully accepted as part of the case record. The evidence presented included a total of over 70 exhibits from various local government areas, along with multiple forms and booklets that are critical to substantiating the petitioners’ claims.

Among the documents provisionally admitted were:
1. Certified True Copies (CTCs) of Forms EC8B from various wards across Akoko Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, and Esan South East.
2. Forms EC8EL and EC8D, marked as Exhibits PA1 and PA2.
3. CTCs of Form EC8D from 18 polling units, designated as Exhibits PA3-PA20.
4. An extensive array of 320 copies of polling unit forms EC8A, admitted as Exhibit PCA1-PCA320.
5. 58 CTCs of Form EC8A obtained from INEC’s IREV portal, marked as Exhibits BDA1-BDA58.
6. 308 CTC polling unit booklets containing Form BC25B, noted as Exhibits PCB1-PCB308.

The atmosphere at the tribunal on Saturday was notably charged, with heightened security measures in place as armed Police and other security operatives ensured a secure environment, reflecting the increasing tensions surrounding the tribunal’s sessions leading up to this point.

The extended hearing on Saturday was indicative of the tribunal’s commitment to thoroughly addressing the substantial evidential submissions made by Ighodalo Akintunde Asuelimen and his legal team.

Following the extensive examination of the documents, the tribunal adjourned, scheduling its next session for Monday, January 20, 2025.

This upcoming session promises to be pivotal as the tribunal continues to navigate the complexities of the case and the implications it holds for the political landscape of Edo State.

All eyes will be on the tribunal as it picks up where it left off, amidst a charged atmosphere and a community eager for resolution.

Related Topics:APC community Election PDP Police

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APC shifts presidential primary to May 23, 2026, releases revised 2027 election timetable

Published

10 hours ago

April 24, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress has pushed its presidential primary from May 15-16 to May 23, 2026, with governorship primaries now set for May 21, under a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko announced the changes Thursday after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting in Abuja. He said the adjustments align with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s updated schedule for the 2027 polls.

■ Key dates in the new timetable:

*Sales of forms:* Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, 2026.

■ Deadline for submission: Monday, May 4, 2026.

*Screening of aspirants:* Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, 2026 for House of Assembly, Reps, Senate, and Governorship. Presidential screening holds Saturday, May 9, 2026.

*Publication of screening results:* Monday, May 11, 2026.

Screening appeals: Tuesday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

■ Primary elections:

– *House of Representatives:* Friday, May 15, 2026

– *Senate:* Monday, May 18, 2026

– *State House of Assembly:* Wednesday, May 20, 2026

– *Governorship:* Thursday, May 21, 2026

– *Presidential:* Saturday, May 23, 2026

*Post-primary appeals:* Reps – May 18; Senate – May 20; State Assembly – date not stated; Governorship – May 23; Presidential – May 25, 2026.

Meseko said notice of the changes went to state chapters on Monday, April 20.

■Zamfara congresses

The NWC also approved a schedule for ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara beginning Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Ward congresses hold Thursday, April 30. LGA and state congresses follow, with appeals slated for May 1 and May 3, 2026.

■ Mode of primaries

Meseko said the party adopted direct primary and consensus as provided in the Electoral Act 2026. “Aspirants are free to decide their preference,” he said. “Where consensus works, it stands. Where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.”

He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted. “Forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he said.

■ INEC dates

INEC has fixed Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and Governorship/State Assembly polls for Saturday, February 6, 2027. Party primaries and disputes must run between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns start August 19, 2026 for federal elections and September 9, 2026 for state elections.

Politics

Lagos 2027: Obasa Hosts Hamzat,Promises Support For Governorship Bid

Published

10 hours ago

April 24, 2026

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable.

He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

Politics

ADC may face disqualification from 2027 Election Ballot

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the lingering leadership disputes rocking both the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, raising fresh uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The apex court took arguments from all parties involved in the appeals and cross-appeals.

After proceedings, it announced that judgment would be delivered at a later date.

However, no timeline was given.amd this has created tension, especially for parties battling internal divisions.

For the PDP, the crisis has already led to major changes. Earlier rulings had nullified the Ibadan convention that produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman. The court also upheld the suspension of some top officials.

As it stands, the faction backed by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, remains in charge. This group is the one currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
While the PDP appears to have found some stability, the situation is more troubling for the ADC. The party is deeply divided into three factions. These groups are led by David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and Ogga Temitope. None of these factions has been officially recognised by INEC.

This lack of recognition puts the ADC in a difficult position. INEC has set May 10 as the deadline for all registered political parties to submit their membership registers. Only parties that meet this requirement will be cleared to field candidates in the 2027 elections.

With the Supreme Court yet to fix a date for judgment, time is running out. If the ruling does not come before the deadline, the ADC risks missing out entirely. This would mean the party may not appear on the ballot in 2027.