Politics

Bayelsa Governorship: Tribunal Reserves Judgment on Sylva, Diri

Published

9 months ago

April 23, 2024

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Monday, reserved its judgment in the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylvia, challenging the re-election of Douye Diri as Governor of Bayelsa State.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, made the announcement shortly after parties adopted and argued their written addresses in the suit.

He assured the parties that the panel’s verdict would be delivered within the 180 days statutorily allowed by law, adding that the judgment date would be communicated as soon as it is fixed.

At Monday’s proceedings, the petitioners prayed the tribunal to annul the declaration of Diri as the winner of the November 11, 2023 election.

Their lead counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), told the tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) embarked on wrongful exclusion of results before arriving at the declaration of Diri as winner.

Ikpeazu further stated that the electoral body did not debunk the allegation of wrongful exclusion of results by not calling the state election result collation officer to testify.

He therefore urged the tribunal to objectively decide the petition on the strength of the evidence adduced by the petitioners especially because INEC did not call a single witness to challenge all the allegations.

However, Diri’s counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the tribunal that the petition by Sylva died on arrival because it is grossly deficient in quantity and quality of evidence.

He said that the petition was baseless, frivolous and vexatious and grossly lacking in merit because the two petitioners did not discharge the burden placed on them by law.

Among others, Uche said that Sylva predicated his petition on alleged refusal of INEC to collate results in three local governments areas — Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Ogbia — but failed to call a single collation officer to back up its claim.

Besides, Uche said that Sylva did not tender the voter register, BVAS machines and form EC8A used for the purported election in the three local governments to establish his allegations.

The senior lawyer also said that the petitioner himself, despite having a witness statement on oath, refused to give evidence before the tribunal to substantiate his allegations.

Uche pleaded with the tribunal to discountenance the evidence of a former police commissioner in the state on the ground that the police officer admitted before the tribunal that he had issues with Diri when the Prado Jeep earlier given to him was withdrawn.

Uche also urged the tribunal not to invoke the spirit of the judgment that brought Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, into office, adding that INEC has established beyond doubt that election did not hold in the three local governments due to resistance by some hoodlums to the use of BVAS machines.

Similarly, INEC, represented by Charles Edosomwan (SAN), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), represented by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), canvassed for the dismissal of the petition on the ground that the petitioners failed and neglected to discharge the burden of establishing their allegations against the election beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

INEC had declared Diri of the PDP winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State, having won majority of the votes cast at the election.

According to the Returning Officer, Prof. Faruq Kuta, the PDP and Diri polled 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the APC, who scored 110,108 votes.

Dissatisfied, Sylva and APC had approached the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Diri as winner of the poll.

The petitioners are asking the tribunal to hold that contrary to the position of the electoral umpire, election held in some polling units and winners declared at the said units, adding that it was wrong of INEC to disregard the results at the ward and local government level.

It is their claim that if the said cancelled results were restored by the court, they would emerge winner of the November election.

But the respondents, especially INEC, which conducted the election, submitted that election in three local governments of Southern Ijaw, Ogbia and Nembe did not hold due to incidents of alleged diversions of materials and disruption of the electoral process over alleged bypass of the BVAS machine.

They had tendered the Form EC40G to confirm that there were no elections in the said polling units.

In addition, the respondents brought Certified True Copies (CTCs) of results from INEC to prove that the results brought before the court as evidence that election held at the polling units were forged by the petitioners.

Politics

We didn’t contemplate destroying uncollected PVCs – INEC denies report

Published

7 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said they are not contemplating the destruction of over six million uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

Reacting to a newspaper report to that effect, INEC through a post on its official X handle, said the report is incorrect, advising members of the public to discountenance the story.

“Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the Commission is contemplating the destruction of over six million uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) going back to the 2015 voter registration.

“The report is incorrect. At no time did the Commission contemplate the destruction of uncollected PVCs. The public is advised to discountenance the story”, INEC said.

Politics

PDP Declares Impeachment of Local Government Chairmen Unlawful in Edo

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Chairman of the Edo State PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, has labeled the attempted removal of Local Government Chairmen by the State Governor as unconstitutional and a nullity.

He affirmed that all elected Chairmen and their Vice-Chairmen remain in office and should continue their duties.

Aziegbemi also announced plans to file contempt charges against those involved in the attempted impeachments.

Politics

Delta PDP Leaders Tasks Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Defection Plans

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Concerned leaders of People’s Democratic Party PDP in Delta state has accused Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state of his conclusion to defect to All Progressives Congress APC.

A statement issued on Saturday jointly signed by Theophelius Ekiyor, Ochuko Oghenekome, and Ezekiel Chukwudi in an open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori tagged “We, the CONCERNED LEADERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
in Delta State, are compelled to address you in this open letter regarding the very disturbing rumours of your alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to secure your governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections. ”

The ripe rumour mill going round the town has given credence to your intentions to cross carpet to ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).

It is also obvious that you have been secretly romancing with the Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu which gave impetus to the rumour.

According to the Concerned Delta state PDP Leaders said you are now point man to Mr President which included his Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Lagos state governor , Babajide Sanwo-Olu working to perfect your meeting with President Tinubu .

You already have the desire to cross carpet, join the All Progressives Congress, APC in the shortest possible time, PDP stakeholders in Delta state stated.

We are therefore demanding a clarification and quick response to the growing allegations on your defection rumour already going round .

It is already obvious your yuletide romance and coordination of the activities of Mr President was an impetus to the purported rumour.

The statement further reads …

CONCERNED LEADERS OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), DELTA STATE CHAPTER
80, WARRI/SAPELE ROAD, WARRI, DELTA STATE.

OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI TO CONFIRM THE RUMOURS OF HIS PLANNED DEFECTION TO THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC).

“We, the CONCERNED LEADERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
in Delta State, are compelled to address you in this open letter regarding the very disturbing rumours of your alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to secure your governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections.”

*The rumour mills are agog with stories of your intention of cross-carpeting to the ruling party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress (APC).*

“That you have been secretly romancing top aides to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“Top presidential aide and allies of the President, mentioned as your point men for your new venture, include; the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Femi Gbajabiamila and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who are now working to facilitate a meeting between you and President Tinubu on this self-seeking agenda.”

“Your ultimate goal, as pointed out by those close to you, is to obtain approval to join the APC.”

“In this regard, we are deeply troubled by these flying and unconfirmed rumours.”

“We therefore demand prompt clarification from you to put us in the picture.”

“A delayed response could be considered as glaring evidence of your compromised position.”

“Your recent private yuletide meeting with aforementioned presidentiap aides and others, in Lagos, moment after the general meeting of the states’ governors with the nation’s number one citizen, where your alleged defection plans were reportedly hatched and extensively discussed, has left many of us feeling betrayed and confused.”

“We urge you to come clean of your intentions and provide us reassurance about our future in the PDP.”

“Furthermore, we are aware that you have been fraternizing with some factional leaders of the APC in Delta State. This move is said to be a strategic move to weaken the strong voices within the APC in the state over your intention.”

*We therefore demand that you state in clear terms why you are clandestinely holding nocturnal engagements with a handful of leaders of APC in the State?”

“Additionally, there are complaints of your sponsoring dissident groups within the APC in the state.*

“This tactic is believed to be aimed at creating more divisions within the party to pave the way for your eventual defection.”

“We are also aware that some top leaders of the APC in the State Working Committee are on your payroll. Some of these leaders have received appointments for their boys and regularly get financial gratification, in exchange for their loyalty and support.”

*We are very disappointed for this betrayal of trust and confidence. ”

“Moreso, the majority of us in PDP who toiled for your emergence as governor are yet to be rewarded in whatever form in almost two years of your reign.”

“We condemn your regular liaisons with members of APC within and outside the state.”

“Please desist from it. You should be told in clear terms that it’s anti-party.”

*You recently caused us huge embarrassment at Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) gathering, when you openly endorsed President Tinubu’s policies and programmes – this has raised eyebrows within the PDP. ”

“Your statement, “If President Tinubu fails, I also fail,” has no other interpretation. It is a clear indication of your intention to join the APC.”

“It is sad that you are openly identifying with the opposition in the state .”

” How can a governor elected under the platform of the PDP be doing this?*

“It’s sad that this is coming from you, Your Excellency, who was resoundly elected on the platform of PDP”.

“You openly betrayed the trust of our teeming party members when you canvassed support for a President, whose failure in governance was monumental. ”

*An apparently naive media aide of your’s narrowly escaped being relieved of his appointment recently, when having wrongly interpreted your body language, criticised the inhuman policies and programmes of APC, nay Tinubu’s government. ”

“The embattled aide was considered a spoiler in the planned odyssey.”

“It took the intervention of well-meaning Deltans for the media aide to escape the sledge-hammers.”

“What evidence do we need to confirm your defection talks with APC after the experience of the media aide?”

“It’s more worrisome because the same your very self has been keeping grudges with party faithfuls found to be remotely associating with opposition elements.”

*In your case, no one can challenge the boss.”

“Why your sudden loss of faith in PDP? Is it because you knew that you could not win the return ticket on the platform of our party in view of your abysmal performance and policy of exclusion and winner takes all?”

“With the government of “family affairs” deeply entrenched and policy of use and dump of especially, the critical elements who facilitated your emergence as the flagbearer of our party, you surely have a cause to worry about your fate in 2027. ”

*But you missed the point by considering APC as a safe haven.

As the leader of our great party in the state, your body language and actions have serious implications for our collective future.”

“We cannot afford to have our party’s fortunes decimated and undermined by your personal ambition. ”

*Our greatest worries are the teeming PDP representatives in various elective positions and other party faithfuls, who are desirous of contesting elections in 2027.”

“Now that you, as governor and leader of the party, is planning to abandon it to contest under the APC, under what party should they express their aspirations? Or are they going to move along with you to the APC?”

“These are mind bugling questions you must resolve quickly for everyone to know where they belong.

You can no longer keep us in the dark or be silent about your intentions.*

“In this respect, we demand transparency and openness, over your intent to jump ship.

“We are entitled to know the truth. We ask that you address these grapevine stories and provide reassurance of your commitment to the PDP.*

“The PDP has remained a beacon of hope and point of anchor for the people of Delta State since 1999. ”

*We have worked tirelessly to build the party into a formidable force in the state.”

*We therefore won’t allow anyone to scuttle our well- earned place in the hearts of the people.”

*We will not stand idly and watch, while the party’s fortunes are undermined and frittered away through your inordinate desperation to remain as governor at all cost.”

“In light of the foregoing, we urge you to clear the air and reassure us of your loyalty, integrity and unwavering commitment to the PDP. *

“We await your prompt response.

We will not accept to be treated like pawns in your political chess game. We deserve respect and transparency from you.*

“In view of these developments, we urge you to reconsider your actions and reaffirm your commitment to the PDP. We are willing to work with you to resolve all issues that may be driving your desire to defect.”

“However, if you refuse to address these concerns and continue on the path, we shall be forced to take necessary actions to protect the interests of the party.

We hope that you will take our concerns seriously and respond immediately.”

SINCERELY YOUR’S SIR,

SIGNED:

MR. THEOPHILUS EKIYOR

MR. OCHUKO OGHENEKOME

MR. EZEKIEL CHUKWUDI

FOR CONCERNED LEADERS OF PDP, DELTA STATE CHAPTER