Politics

Edo Election Dispute: INEC Tenders BVAS Devices In Petition By PDP, Ighodalo

Published

5 months ago

February 3, 2025

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday tendered five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used for the last governorship election in Edo State before the state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.

According to The Nation , the devices were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department in INEC, Anthony Itodo, following which the tribunal admitted in evidence, even though all the respondents objected, promising to adduce reasons in their final written addresses.

Following a subpoena by the petitioners – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo – INEC, last week, brought 148 BVAS used in 133 polling units where results of the election are being disputed by the petitioners, who are alleging over voting.

The petitioners subsequently announced the conclusion of the presentation of their case shortly after calling a total of 19 witnesses whose testimonies centred mainly on alleged irregularities, especially during the collation of votes at both the ward and local government levels.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN) announced the closure of his client’s case on Monday shortly

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.

Aggrieved by the outcome of the poll, the PDP and Ighodalo filed their petition before the tribunal, praying it to, among others, nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners.

The petitioners anchored their claim against the outcome of the election on the alleged wrongful computation of results during collation at the ward and local government levels.

They are among others, contending that the election was invalid because of alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

They also claimed, in the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

Meanwhile, the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, has adjourned till Wednesday, February 5 for INEC to open its defence.

Speaking after Monday’s proceedings, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Anthony Aziegbemin was optimistic about a positive outcome, noting that the petitioners, through their lawyers, have done justice to the case.

Aziegbemin said: “We think the case is pretty straightforward, we think it is documentary based, we think it is specific, we think the judiciary will give it some judicial cognisance of what we tendered before them.

“We believe that they have all they need from us and all that we should produce, I think we have given it to them. And we expect them to look at them and see how it goes.

“But suffices to say that it is not a petition as we used to have it in the country, where you call a lot of witnesses.

“We didn’t need to call a lot of witnesses. We called the witnesses that we needed to prove our case and make our case more solid”, he said.

Aziegbemin said he was surprised that INEC objected to the admissibility of its own documents, adding that it “gives us and Nigerians something to think about. Why will INEC oppose the documents it certified to the petitioners to be tendered in the open court?

“I think the tribunal will look into that and see why they are objecting, though they said they will give reasons at the address stage but it is strange. It doesn’t add up,” the Edo PDP Chair said.

Politics

INEC Announces Dates For Commencement Of Continuous Voter Registration In Osun

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Osun State Office has given the dates for the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR.

This is coming after INEC formally announced August 8, 2026 as the date for the governorship election in Osun State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke who made this known during a meeting with Electoral Officers, EOs, on Monday in Osogbo revealed that the CVR is scheduled to commence on August 18, 2025 for the first phase and august 25, 2025 for the second phase.

Agboke also said the meeting was convened as a crucial preparation to assess the readiness of the Electoral Officers for the upcoming CVR exercise.

The meeting, he also said is to deliberate on operational issues and general preparedness ahead of the CVR.

In his words, “the meeting was designed to examine the state of affairs with respect to the CVR as it would provide a platform for internal review before engaging with wider stakeholders.x”

He explained that, “Online registration is slated to commence on 18 August, while physical, in-person registration is scheduled for 25 August. It is important for us to understand each other and align our strategies before we begin.”

Dr Agboke emphasised the need to know their mindset, the level of reality in order to effectively respond to challenges and make adequate preparations for a successful exercise.

He also noted that the second part of the meeting would involve a general assessment of INEC local government offices focusing on infrastructure, logistics, and workforce readiness.

“We want to critically examine INEC local governments offices and their officers to ensure everything is in order.

“The meeting is crucial for us to talk to ourselves and have an understanding before we bring the general stakeholders on board,” Dr. Agboke added.

He commended the EOs for their determination and resilience in keeping their offices operational despite the challenges.

“I appreciate your commitment to ensuring that the INEC LG offices keep functioning effectively ahead of the exercise,” he said.

Chairman of the Osun Electoral Officers Forum and EO of Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulkadir Azeez, expressed gratitude to the REC for his leadership.

Azeez also acknowledged the REC’s efforts in improving the operations of the Osun INEC Office.

“Your trust in us as EOs has been encouraging. We appreciate the REC for his open-door policy and constant engagement,” he said.

He assured the REC that all Electoral Officers in the state are fully prepared for the registration exercise.

“We have been working towards this, and we remain confident that the CVR will be hitch-free. We are ready, and I can vouch for the ability and competence of every EO in this state,” Azeez concluded.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku

Published

20 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, debunking speculation that he may team up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a running mate.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, Obi dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.

“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”

Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.

“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”

On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.

“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”

The former Anambra governor also took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.

“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”

Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.

Politics

Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Elder statesman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, David Mark for “messing up” the PDP and aligning with the Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. He said the coalition is driven by personal ambition, not the collective interest of Nigeria.

George, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, described the coalition as illogical, ill-timed, and lacking substance. He questioned the rationale behind their departure from the PDP, especially at a time when the party had resolved its internal crisis.

Prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and their counterparts from Kaduna, Rivers, and Osun States—Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively—formally adopted the ADC as their coalition platform on Wednesday in Abuja.

Reacting to the alliance, George said: “If it is not self-aggrandisement, what are they running away from? If your roof is leaking, would you run away from the house? No. You stay there and repair it. What is wrong with the PDP? We had a crisis in the party, which they were part of. We’ve resolved it, so why are they running? I have appealed to them to have a rethink and return home. If they don’t, let them stay where they are. It doesn’t matter.”

He expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon the PDP and form a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu, rather than staying to build the party.

“Is dumping the PDP and forming a coalition the right way to send President Tinubu out of office?” he queried.

In addition, he said: “They have divided the house they built, and that means they are pursuing personal ambition, not the corporate interest of this country. What is Atiku looking for in the coalition? What is David Mark looking for? They caused the mess at the last National Convention. You don’t need a degree to see that it’s illogical. What are they seeking? They just want to sack Bola Tinubu, and now they’re congregating. Everybody in that coalition wants to be president—so how will that work? I wish them the best of luck.”

However, he appealed to them to return to the PDP to help rebuild the nation.

“They should all come back and help rebuild the broken walls of this nation. In the PDP, we have resolved our crisis. This isn’t the right time to walk away. These are people who have benefitted immensely from the party. One was the number two man in Nigeria. Another, who claims to be acting chairman, was the number three. What more do they want? I’m disenchanted. I’m angry. What kind of reasoning is this? Do you go to war and surrender to the enemy? Everyone in that coalition, except Rauf Aregbesola, came from the PDP. The PDP made them who they are today.”

“Now that we’ve resolved our crisis and are settling down to build unity, they’re off forming a coalition. An iroko tree doesn’t just sprout and fall in the bush. No matter the storm, the iroko stands tall. Maybe Bola Tinubu has gone to consult a babalawo (herbalist), and that’s what’s disturbing them and making them act irrationally. I don’t believe in babalawo, but maybe he has—and that’s why they’re running around.”

“Our party doesn’t have a single person who owns it. He is just a member like everyone else. He has to redefine his position. Bola has reportedly told him to go and deliver the FCT and Rivers State, and he says he’s still working there.”

“Let the next NEC meeting come; decisions will be made. For me, this coalition is a non-issue. It’s all selfishness and self-aggrandisement. At a time when we should be talking about the corporate existence and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, they’re not doing that. Nigerians will decide,” he concluded.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)