News

BREAKING: Supreme Court Upholds Gov Okpebholo’s Election

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2025

…dismisses Ighodalo’s appeal for want of merit

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, the apex court dismissed as lacking in merit, an appeal the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Asuerinme Ighodalo, filed to nullify the outcome of the governorship election held in the state on September 21, 2024.

According to the Supreme Court, it found no reason to set aside the concurrent judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which returned Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest.

It held that the Appellant failed to adduce credible and admissible evidence to substantiate his claim that the election was marred by irregularities that included over-voting and substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Likewise, it held that the Appellant failed to call relevant witnesses to demonstrate some of the evidence he tendered in support of his case, especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines.

It held that some of the proof of evidence, which were tendered from the Bar, were merely dumped on the tribunal without establishing alleged non-compliance in 432 out of a total of 4,519 polling units in the state.

“The Appellant did not satisfactorily discharge the burden of proof placed on him by the law,” the Supreme Court held in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Garba.

Ighodalo had in the appeal marked: SC/CV/536/2025, prayed the court to invalidate the May 29 verdict of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his case and affirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

The PDP candidate maintained that the appellate court failed to properly evaluate the case he brought to challenge the outcome of the poll, which he insisted was not conducted with substantial compliance to provisions of the Electoral Act.

The Supreme Court had on July 2, reserved its judgement after all the parties adopted their final briefs of argument.

While the Appellant the PDP urged the court to upturn the subsisting judgments and declare that he secured the highest number of valid votes and therefore ought to be declared the winner of the election, on the other hand, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; governor Okpebholo and the APC, persuaded the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the result of the election.

A three-member panel of the Appeal Court led by Justice M. A. Danjuma, had declined to nullify Governor Okpebholo’s election.

The appellate court upheld the May 15 judgement of the tribunal which validated the result of the election announced by the INEC.

The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member panel tribunal had dismissed petitions that were lodged against governor Okpebholo by the PDP and its candidate; the Action Alliance, AA, and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje; as well as a case that was brought before it by the Accord Party, AP, and its own candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele.

It will be recalled that INEC had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291, 667 votes to defeat his closet rivalry, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247, 655 votes.

Dissatisfied with the result, the petitioners approached the tribunal, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

In the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, PDP and its candidate alleged that governor Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

It was equally the contention of the petitioners that INEC failed to serialise and pre-record some of the sensitive materials that were deployed for the poll, a situation they said aided the rigging of the election in favour of the APC and its candidate.

Specifically, PDP and its candidate alleged that there was wrong computation of results in 765 polling units in the state, even as they produced 19 witnesses that testified and tendered exhibits before the tribunal.

Among the exhibits the petitioners tendered before the tribunal, included a total of 153 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVA, machines that were used in 133 polling units.

According to the petitioners, results from the polling units were manipulated at the collation centres, a situation they said resulted in over-voting, in Okpebholo’s favour.

In its judgement, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to by way of credible evidence, establish why the outcome of the election should be set-aside.

It held that the onus of proving that Governor Okpebholo was unduly returned by INEC, rested squarely on the petitioners, a legal burden it said was not successfully discharged.

The tribunal stressed that the PDP and its candidate merely dumped exhibits before it without demonstrating them through competent witnesses as required by the law.

It held that most of the witnesses who testified for the petitioners gave hearsay evidence, stressing that failure to produce polling unit agents, presiding officers or voters who participated in the election, to testify, proved fatal to the case of the petitioners.

The tribunal held that section 137 of the Electoral Act did not preclude the petitioners from producing necessary and competent witnesses to testify in support of their case.

It further dismissed the contention of the petitioners that contrary to the provision of section 73(2) of the Electoral Act, INEC failed to pre-record most of the materials that were deployed for the election.

More so, the tribunal held that none of the BVAS machines tendered before it were switched on to demonstrate that the number of votes recorded in the disputed polling units, exceeded the total number of accredited voters.

Following the affirmation of the judgement by the appellate court, Ighodalo took the case before the Supreme Court where he also lost on Thursday.

News

Step-by-step Guide On How To Register For 2026 UTME

Published

13 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released a detailed guide for candidates preparing to register for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

This is as the board outlines the required steps, important warnings, and common challenges encountered during profile code generation.

The update was published on the Board’s official X handle on Sunday.

In the announcement, JAMB emphasised that candidates must ensure all personal information—especially those linked to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)—are accurate before registration begins.

Profile Code Generation
“Ensure your details on NIMC and others, i.e., O’Level/A-Level results, are the same. Send: NIN (leave one space) your 11-digit NIN number to 55019 or 66019. For example, NIN 00000011111 to 55019/66019,” it stated.

JAMB further warned that once a profile code is generated, it cannot be changed, as the candidate’s biodata is automatically retrieved from NIMC’s database.

Here is the step-by-step registration procedure.
The Board outlined the following steps:

1. Visit an approved centre:

Candidates are to proceed to the nearest JAMB office or an accredited CBT centre to begin registration.

2. E-PIN vending:

Candidates should only purchase e-PINs from authorised channels such as banks, approved vendors, and recognised online platforms.

3. Use the correct template:

JAMB stressed: “Ensure that you are given the correct registration template to fill out.”

4. Final submission:

All applicants must cross-check and confirm every detail before final submission at the centre.

Important Tips for Candidates
JAMB also issued several precautionary guidelines:

1. Candidates should make all necessary corrections with NIMC early (name, date of birth, gender, state of origin) and confirm that the updates reflect on their NIMC portal.

2. GSM numbers and email addresses used for registration are unique identifiers—they must be functional, correct, and not shared.

3. Candidates experiencing biometric issues must visit the nearest JAMB office.

4. A dual-screen system must be used during registration so candidates can verify their photographs and biometric data in real time.

Common Challenges in Profile Code Generation, Solution

JAMB also addressed the most frequent errors students face:

1. “Record Not Found”

Solution: Visit the nearest NIMC office for validation.

2. “Wrong Parameter”

This means the message format was incorrect.

Solution: Resend using the correct format: NIN 00000011111.

3. “Your NIN has already been registered with GSM number…”

This indicates a previous profile code request.

Solution: Retrieve the SIM card originally used and resend the request.

4. “Unable to verify your NIN at the moment [NIMC: UNKNOWN]”

Solution: Wait and try again later.

The 2026 JAMB UTME form will be on sale from January to March 2026.

News

Why My Lineage Qualifies Me For Awujale Throne — K1 De-Ultimate

Published

19 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

Legendary Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De-Ultimate, has slammed critics questioning his lineage and his intention to become the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

K1 also said it was his right to take over the vacant stool while performing on stage at an event on Sunday.

During his performance, the popular musician invoked the spirit of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to intercede in the controversial claim of his lineage.

According to him, the lineage began raising a dust after he declared his interest in contesting for the vacant stool of the revered Awujale.

Citing his erstwhile titles, including Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu (the leader of Ijebuland princes), bestowed on him by the late monarch, Ayinde revealed that the king was not a covetous person and he did not buy his way to get the title.

He said, “I am from the fidipotemole in Ijebu Ode, It is the same me that is also from the Fusegbunwa of Ijebu-Ode, if you are then questioning my lineage at this point, we will meet at Popo. If it is because of the kingship I am vying for, it is my right, you can’t shut me up.

“Late Kabiesi Awujale, Oba Adetona was of sound mind when he bestowed on me the title of Olori Omo-Oba if I’m not from a royal lineage. Awujale is not a covetous person; I therefore invoke your spirit to please reveal what is hidden to the people. They want to cover up the truth.”

Popo, as referred to by K1 is a symbolic place in Ijebu-Ode, it is near the palace of the Awujale, and known for its historical kingdom established by the descendants of the Ijebuland.

Recall that the 67-year-old Fuji maestro had declared his intention to vie for the vacant stool of Awujale, citing that he would bring a rare combination of cultural influence, national recognition, and political connections to a succession process closely watched across Yorubaland.

According to a now-circulating letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, his candidacy is formally guided by the provisions of Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.

“I, Otunba Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Olasunkanmi Omogbolahan Anifowoshe, MON, hereby formally notify the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of my intention to be considered for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, subject strictly to the provisions of Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws,” the letter partly read.

K1 emphasised his ancestry as a key qualification, citing his royal lineage.

”I was born on 3rd March, 1957, and I am bona fide son of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Agunsebi Quarters, tracing my ancestry to the Oba Jadiara lineage, which qualifies me to present myself for consideration in accordance with established tradition,” he wrote.

The Oba Jadiara lineage is a historic branch of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which has the exclusive right to present candidates for the Awujale stool according to rotational custom. (https://punchng.com/explainer-why-kwam-1-wants-the-awujale-throne/)

However, in a twist of turn, the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode directed K1 to prove his legitimate membership of the ruling house, following his declaration to fill the vacant stool of Awujale of Ijebuland.

With this, the popular musician, who is the Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, is expected to complete the family’s royal lineage data form to establish his legitimate membership of the ruling house.

The Chairman of the ruling house, Abdulateef Owoyemi, stated that only bona fide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process of the next Awujale.

In the letter, which went viral on social media on Friday, the Fuji icon described himself as a bona fide son” of the ruling house, adding that his candidacy aligns with Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.

Owoyemi said the Olori Omooba of Ijebu land had been directed to complete the Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form.

He stressed that the form, which requires contenders to trace their genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only genuine princes from the family can participate, thereby blocking “strangers” from claiming the throne.

News

FG Offered 4,000 Pregnant Women Free C-section – Report

Published

1 hour ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 4,000 pregnant women across Nigeria have received free caesarean sections under the National Health Insurance programme, marking one of the most remarkable gains recorded through the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.

This is according to the 2025 health statistics report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The surgeries, fully subsidised and conducted in designated facilities, form part of a broader national push to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths and strengthen frontline health systems.

Launched in November 2024, MAMII is designed to reduce maternal deaths by 30 per cent and neonatal deaths by 20 per cent in 172 high-burden local government areas across the country.

The initiative deploys a suite of targeted, context-specific measures that focus on governance, accountability, community demand creation, skilled service delivery, and improved financing and performance management.

Since commencement, the programme has identified the major drivers of mortality in these LGAs and has begun implementing tailored solutions to address them.

“MAMII has achieved significant progress in strengthening Nigeria’s health system response to maternal and neonatal mortality. One hundred and eighty-six LGAs have developed context-specific costed work plans using the national comprehensive implementation guide to improve antenatal care attendance; over 400,000 pregnant women have been line-listed, with the number of referrals on the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System increased from 86 to 32,711, with 4,000 caesarean sections done at no cost to the pregnant women enrolled under the National Health Insurance programme.

“Lifesaving maternal, newborn and child health commodities have been distributed to over 500 facilities, and emergency transport systems have been activated in LGAs in 12 states. Early data trends show increased facility and antenatal attendance as well as skilled birth attendance.

“The gains made so far can be attributed to significant efforts by LGAs, states, and the Federal teams,” the report read partly.

The report noted that across the 172 LGAs, progress has been significant, as a total of 435 health facilities have been revitalised, while 729,724 women booked their first ANC visit before 20 weeks of pregnancy, and 794,205 women completed their fourth ANC visit.

Between the first and third quarters of 2025, the report showed that the LGAs recorded 731,559 deliveries, 21,172 stillbirths, 841 maternal deaths, and 1,245 neonatal deaths.

The health system indicators also show notable improvement. More than half (52 per cent) of the LGAs now have at least two Level-2 facilities, while 78 per cent have a Primary Health Centre in every ward under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

It added that there has been a 17 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and a 12 per cent reduction in newborn deaths in the intervention areas.

According to the report, 25 per cent of BHCPF facilities are linked to the SEMSAS/NEMSAS referral system, which has already processed 7,451 completed referrals.

The report also revealed that only 12 per cent of BHCPF facilities have at least two midwives, even as 47 per cent of LGAs have been equipped with heat-stable carbectocin, a key drug for preventing postpartum haemorrhage.

Meanwhile, 20 per cent of BHCPF facilities have at least one laboratory technician. To support community-level interventions, 411,296 women have been line-listed across the 172 LGAs for closer follow-up.

Despite the gains, the report stated that significant gaps remain.

“The key gaps identified include that many LGAs lack sufficient community health workers for household-level tracking and demand creation, and inadequate numbers of functional designated Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care facilities.

“Emergency transport services are still limited in coverage, with delayed driver payments and weak digital systems. Similarly, Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response implementation remains weak across facilities in the 172 LGAs, and delays in the release of funds under the annual Operational Plans threaten continuity,” it stated.

To consolidate progress and sustain reductions in maternal and newborn mortality, experts recommend prioritising community health system strengthening and fully scaling functional BEmONC and CEmONC facilities.

“To sustain the continuous reduction in maternal and newborn deaths, stakeholders must prioritise strengthening community health systems, scaling BEmONC and CEmONC facilities, ensuring full functionality of emergency transport services, and institutionalising MPDSR in a timely manner, as these are critical to sustaining impact.

“With continued high-level coordination and the expansion of global best practices, MAMII can catalyse Nigeria’s progress toward reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths,” it added.