Politics
Edo Governorship Tribunal Continues to Admit Evidence of Over-voting Across Many LGs
More witnesses have continued to testify, at the instance of Asue Ighodalo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before the governorship election petitions tribunal sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The witnesses alleged massive irregularities in the conduct of the September 21, 2024 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oredo, Ovia South West, and Esan North East.
There were also witnesses from Esan Central.
The witness from Oredo Local Government Area said the conduct of the governorship election was characterised by irregularities in some polling units in Esan North East, Oredo, Esan South East, and Esa Central local government areas.
Giving his testimony at the resumed hearing on the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the petitioners’ witness and PDP Esan North East Local Government Area Collation Agent, Mr. Igbarase Matthias, prayed the tribunal to admit his statement on oath, which he deposed to on October 11, 2024 in support of the petitioners’ case
The 54-year-old claimed that there was over-voting in polling unit 011, and added that he was aware that the uploading of results into the IREV took place at the polling unit level.
Upon cross-examination by the lead counsel to the first respondent (INEC), Kanu Agabi, the witness said he made his deposition on October 11, 2024 while the screenshots of INEC’s BIVAS Report he relied on in his statement were certified by INEC on January 8, 2025.
On his part, the PDP agent for Oredo Local Government Area, Aigbe Ighodaro Lucky, told the court that there was over-voting in 66 polling units in the local government area and incorrect scores were entered by INEC for his party in favour of All Progressives Congress (APC) during the election.
Lucky said he relied on INEC documents to arrive at his statement on oath and adopted same as evidence in the petition.
He also told the tribunal that there were no prior recordings of serial numbers of sensitive materials deployed for the election in the local government area in INEC’s Form EC25B.
For Adekunle Oboh, PDP Local Government Area Collation Agent in Esan Central, there were irregularities in 23 polling units in the area during the election.
Oboh also told the court in his testimonies that there were no prior recordings of serial numbers of sensitive materials deployed to some polling units in the area in Form EC25B.
He said the polling units’ result sheets were signed by his party’s agents up to the ward level before he signed Form EC8C.
He admitted that all the Forms EC8A (result sheets) were counter-signed by INEC presiding officers, and submitted that the documents he personally examined on the basis of his witness deposition were obtained from INEC by his party.
Wilson Ibhawa, the petitioners’ Esan South East Local Government Area Collation Agent, said there was no prior recording of serial numbers sensitive materials used in the election in Form EC25B in five polling units in his area.
While raising objections to the admissibility of the documents tendered in court, counsel to the respondents deferred their reasons to the address stage of the petition.
Similarly, Destiny Enabulele, a 48-year-old development worker, who appeared as a witness in Ovia South West Local Government Area, presented by PDP, sought leave of the tribunal to correct some errors in his witness deposition before adopting same. But this did not get the approval of the respondents’ counsel, who objected.
Moses Agbukor, 54, told the tribunal to disregard paragraphs 13 and 14 in his witness deposition, as it was inserted in error, which was objected to by counsel to the respondents because of the line of presentation.
Baba Odenobemhe, the sixth witness for the petitioners, also sought leave of the tribunal to correct some errors in his witness deposition before adopting same.
Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, admitted the documents oral evidence as exhibits, provisionally, pending the arguments of the respondents’ counsel in their final written address.
Kpochi adjourned sitting to today, Friday, January 24, for continuation of hearing.
A former National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajiya Maria Waziri, has left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State.
Waziri made her decision public on Monday at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, where she arrived with a group of her supporters to formally register with the APC.
She was received by the state governor, Nasir Idris, who praised her move and described it as coming at the right time for the party and the state.
The governor assured Waziri and those who came with her that they would be fully accepted into the APC without discrimination.
Idris said the ruling party remained open to all politicians who were ready to contribute to the development of Kebbi State.
He added that his administration would continue to focus on projects and policies that improve the lives of residents, regardless of their political background.
The governor also spoke about his personal relationship with Waziri, noting that he was familiar with her experience and political strength and believed she would add value to the party and the state.
The APC chairman in Kebbi State, Abubakar Kana-Zuru, also welcomed the former PDP leader and her supporters.
He assured them that they would enjoy equal rights and opportunities within the party, just like other members.
Kana-Zuru pointed to the achievements of the current administration in the state and said Waziri’s decision to join the APC showed confidence in the direction of the government.
Speaking on her decision, Waziri explained that her move was influenced by the performance of the APC-led government in Kebbi State and at the national level. She noted that this was her first time changing political parties in about 20 years.
She said she had spent most of her political life in opposition and chose to remain there until now, but recent developments in governance convinced her to take a new path.
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have said the candidacy of former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in the 2027 governorship election will make the party’s electoral victory seamless in the state.
The party members made this declaration during the South-South APC Lagos State Women Forum PVC Sensitisation Exercise and APC e-Registration Mobilisation held in Ikorodu area of the state that was propelled by the Tinubu – Ambode Support Group.
The party faithful, women leaders, and grassroots mobilizers had gathered at the event to strengthen the party’s base and encourage wider political participation.
In her address at the event, group women leader, Mrs. Justina Osara, emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Governor Ambode remained symbols of purposeful leadership, visionary governance, and people-oriented administration.
Osara noted that Ambode’s track record in office speaks volumes, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, public service reforms, and inclusive governance.
According to her, Ambode’s re-emergence on the political stage would bring renewed confidence, unity, and strategic direction to APC, especially at the grassroots level where his policies and projects positively impacted ordinary citizens.
She commended women leaders from the South-South community for their commitment to democratic participation through PVC sensitisation and active involvement in the APC e-registration process, describing them as the backbone of grassroots mobilisation and a critical force in shaping electoral success.
Speakers at the event described former Governor Ambode as a leader who listens, delivers, and prioritizes the welfare of the people, and further described him as a bridge-builder, a technocrat with a human face, and a dependable political asset whose leadership style aligns with the aspirations of party members and the general populace.
They concluded by assuring APC members that with renewed mobilisation, unity, and the strategic inclusion of experienced leaders like Ambode, the party stands on a stronger footing to achieve greater electoral victories and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State and beyond.
They urged all members, especially women and youth, to continue participating actively in PVC registration, party e-registration, and grassroots mobilisation, stressing that collective effort was key to securing a more prosperous future for the APC.
The Kwankwaso Support Group 2027 has proposed a joint presidential ticket pairing former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, with Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
Speaking in Kano on Friday, the leader of the group, Abba Gwale, stated that as loyal supporters of Senator Kwankwaso, they found it necessary to appeal to Nigerians to support the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a chance to rescue the nation from its current challenges.
‘As Kwankwaso supporters and loyalists, we have proposed and thrown our weight behind the joint presidential ticket, especially with Peter Obi, in any of the political parties. The current political trajectory has shown where the tide is shifting.
‘If the duo gets a mandate in the upcoming election, Nigeria will be a better place. For real, we’re tired of insecurity, hunger, and starvation.
‘We want a political alliance to bring together Obi’s strong support base in the South and Kwankwaso’s formidable support in the North, creating a powerful coalition that could potentially shake up the political landscape. With this partnership, the duo is poised to give the ruling party a run for their money.
‘At the heart of this alliance is a shared ambition to wrestle power from the ruling APC and bring about meaningful change to Nigeria. Both Obi and Kwankwaso have consistently emphasised their commitment to assisting the common man in Nigeria, and their partnership is seen as a key step towards achieving this goal’, he said.
Gwale, who hails from the same constituency as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, further explained that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is banking on a wave of popular discontent with the current administration, adding that their message of hope and change is resonating with many Nigerians. He added that with their combined strength, they are emerging as a formidable challenger to the ruling party.
‘As 2027 approaches, all eyes are on the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance to see how they will capitalise on this momentum and translate it into votes. One thing is certain — the duo is determined to shake things up and bring about a new era of politics in Nigeria’, Gwale added.
On Kwankwaso’s alleged demands for a significant number of positions from the ruling APC as part of joining the party, Gwale noted that if there were anything like that, it should be seen as outrageous, given the calibre of the former governor.
According to him, Kwankwaso has presented the best demands that can cater to the needs of his supporters and party members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
‘Supporters of Kwankwaso cut across every divide, especially among ordinary Nigerians who are living from hand to mouth’, Gwale added.
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