Politics

BREAKING: Court Orders Service Of Petitions On Tinubu Through APC

Published

3 years ago

March 24, 2023

The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, on Friday, ordered that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, should be served with copies of petitions seeking to nullify his election, through substituted means.

A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh, directed that the petitions should be served on Tinubu, through his political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The ruling followed separate ex-parte applications that were brought before the court by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

The duo accused the President-elect Tinubu, of deliberately avoiding the service of their petitions on him.

They told the court that several attempts they made to effect service of the petitions on Tinubu, proved abortive.

According to the petitioners, the President-elect deliberately made himself elusive with a view to frustrating their effort to hand him copies of the petition as required by the law.

Consequently, relying on Section 6(6a) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, as well as Paragraph 8 of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022, the petitioners sought the intervention of the Court.

Both Atiku and Obi further supported their ex-parte motions dated March 23, with affidavits of urgency and non-service, even as they persuaded the court to hear the applications, outside the pre-hearing session of their substantive petitions.

While Atiku’s application was moved on Friday by his legal team led by Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, that of Obi and LP was moved by Mr. Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN.

“Having heard the applications by counsel to the petitioners including the affidavit in support, the applications are hereby granted”, the Justice Ikyegh-led panel ruled.

The panel equally granted leave to the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, to also serve its own petition on Tinubu, via substituted means.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on March 1, declared Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the presidential poll, ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

According to INEC, Tinubu, scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes and Obi of the LP who came third with a total of 6,101,533 votes.

However, both Atiku and Obi rejected the outcome of the election which they insisted was rigged in Tinubu’s favour.

Aside from accusing INEC of acting in breach of its own electoral Regulations and Guidelines, the petitioners equally argued that Tinubu was not legally qualified to participate in the presidential contest.

More so, they argued that he did not garner the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election, adding that votes credited to the APC candidate amounted to wasted votes by reason of corrupt practices that marred the election.

Atiku further alleged that the electoral body deployed a third-party device he said was used to intercept and divert votes to the APC and its candidate.

While both Obi and Atiku separately claimed that they won the election, they asked the court to either declare them winners or in the alternative, order a fresh election.

Both petitioners urged the court to compel INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return it earlier issued to Tinubu of the APC.

The court had earlier ordered INEC to grant Tinubu, who is currently out of the country, access to all the electoral materials it used for the presidential poll, to enable him to prepare to defend his election victory.

Politics

JUST IN: NDP Candidate Announcement Triggers Electoral Controversy

Published

1 hour ago

June 2, 2026

Editor

Fresh uncertainty has emerged within the National Democratic Party (NDP) following the announcement of its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, made barely two days after the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The development has raised questions about the validity of the nomination process and whether the party’s candidate will be officially recognised by the electoral umpire ahead of the polls.

Political observers and stakeholders have expressed concern over the timing of the announcement, warning that the delay could expose the party to legal and procedural challenges.

The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of political parties’ compliance with electoral guidelines as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify across the country.

While the NDP maintains that its actions are consistent with internal party procedures, critics argue that the move could further complicate its chances of participating effectively in the presidential race.

The latest development has added to growing uncertainty within Nigeria’s political landscape, with attention now shifting to the position of INEC on the candidate’s status and the broader implications for the party’s electoral prospects.the three

Politics

NDC Warri Fed. Constituency Candidate, Mulade, Pledges Inclusive Representation

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Editor

The winner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election for Warri Federal Constituency, Dr Sheriff Mulade, has
assured constituents of prioritising their interests through effective, people-oriented, and responsive representation if elected at the general election.

This was contained in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Warri on Saturday.

Chief Mulade, while expressing profound gratitude to party delegates, supporters, and constituents for the overwhelming support that secured him victory, described the outcome of the election as a demonstration of the confidence, trust, and acceptance reposed in him by the people of Warri Federal Constituency.

The environmental rights activist and peace advocate said he remains humbled by the mandate entrusted on him.

According to him, the victory belongs, not just to him, but to every resident of the constituency who believes in the ideals of good governance, unity, and sustainable development.

“I deeply appreciate all those who participated in the electoral process, especially the delegates, supporters, and well-wishers who stood firmly behind my aspiration. Your support, trust, and confidence mean a great deal to me,” he stated.

Comrade Mulade further called for unity, peaceful coexistence, and collective progress among the three major ethnic nationalities that make up the constituency—the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo—stressing that the future of Warri Federal Constituency depends on collaboration and mutual inclusiveness.

He noted that the outcome of the primary election reflects the people’s desire for inclusive leadership, grassroots-driven representation, and a renewed commitment towards addressing the developmental needs of the constituency.

“I dedicate this victory to God Almighty and all the people of Warri Federal Constituency whom I seek to serve. This mandate is a call to greater responsibility, and I assure you that I will not let you down. Together, we shall build a constituency where every community has a voice and every citizen has a stake in our collective progress,” Mulade added.

The NDC candidate also urged party members and supporters to remain united and focused as the party prepares for the next phase of the electoral process.

He emphasized that victory can only be sustained through solidarity, commitment, and a shared vision for the development of Warri Federal Constituency.

Politics

‘The Country Is Bleeding’ – Oba Olaitan On Why Nigerians Must Replace Tinubu In 2027

Published

4 days ago

May 29, 2026

Editor

The leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has explained why Nigerians, through the ballot, must as a matter of urgency, replace the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government in 2027.

He said Nigeria urgently needs a change of government to address insecurity, economic hardship, and threats to democracy.

Olaitan spoke this weekend at the SDP 2026 National Convention and Presidential Primaries held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi State.

Addressing delegates and party members, the Afenifere leader said Nigeria was currently “bleeding” under the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration.

According to him, worsening insecurity across the country has left citizens living in fear.

“Our people can no longer sleep with both eyes closed because of the unrelenting wave of insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal clashes that have turned farmlands into killing fields and turned hope into fear,” he said.

Olaitan also lamented the state of the economy, saying the rising cost of living had pushed many Nigerians into hardship.

“At the same time, the economy has been brought to its nadir. Prices of basic goods have gone beyond the reach of ordinary families. Our youths roam the streets without jobs, and our farmers and traders struggle daily just to survive,” he stated.

The Afenifere leader accused the APC government of weakening opposition parties and undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

“Nigerian democracy is under threat today with a government that is jittery about constructive opposition,” he said.

“As we are all aware, the APC government breaks any identifiable opposition into fractious factions, while destroying the very basis of the multiparty system.”

Olaitan maintained that the suffering in the country was a result of wrong policy choices and not an act of God.

“This suffering of many is not an act of God. It is the direct result of wrong choices and of neoliberal economic policies that put market forces and elite comfort above the welfare of the people,” he added.

He said the next general election should not be seen as a battle between ethnic or religious groups but between the ruling party and Nigerians facing poverty and hardship.

According to him, the SDP remains the party best positioned to deliver social justice, economic recovery, and democratic inclusion.

“SDP is not just another political party; it is the party that best reflects the values of social justice, equity, and a genuine concern for the masses and for democracy,” he said.