Politics

Edo Guber: Abuja Court To Deliver Judgement On Suit Challenging Akpata’s Nomination As LP Candidate

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2024

A Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, Tuesday, reserved judgement to July 22nd, 2024, suit challenging Olumide Akpata’s nomination as Edo State governorship candidate of Labour Party.

Recall that another Federal High Court which sat in Benin on June 11th had also fixed July 19th to deliver judgment on the LP governorship primaries.

The plaintiff, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, is arguing in his suit that the candidate (Akpata) did not follow the electoral guidelines in the primaries, and that he (Akpata) did not fill and sign the indemnity form among other grounds.

At the resumption of hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, counsels to both the plaintiff and defendant written addresses were adopted after a three hours’ intensive legal crossfire by the party’s legal representatives.

Counsels to Imansuangbon, A. A. Malik (SAN), led other nine counsels, pleading the Federal High Court to declare the plaintiff as the winner of the LP primaries.

They argued that the defendant violated the electoral act and INEC guideline, and therefore not qualified to stand as the LP governorship candidate.

Malik hinged his plea on the allegation that Akpata gave false information to the acquisition of citizenship of another country which he submitted.

He described the act as a grand departure from the Nigeria Constitution accepted norms.

He argued that Akpata, while filling INEC form EC 9 “stated his name to be Akpata Olumide Anthony which is different from, and not the same as Akpata Olumide Osaigbovo” which he earlier stated on oath to be his name and under which he contested and reportedly won the primary election of the LP.

Counsel to Imansuangbon wanted the court to determine whether Akpata “has not supplied or otherwise given false information to the INEC within the meaning or contemplation of the provisions of section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 read together with section 182(1) (a) and (j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

On the discrepancy surrounding the choice of running mate to Olumide, Malik argued that Alufokhai Oluyinka Faith’s withdrawal has further exposed her and shouldn’t have bothered coming to court.

He added that “INEC does not have her record of substitution as far as INEC is concerned Olumide Akpata does not have a valid substitution as required by INEC and the electoral act”.

“Therefore Olumide must carry the baggage and therefore be disqualified by section 29 of the electoral act and Imansuangbon should be declared as the winner”

While counsel to the defendant, J.J Usman (SAN) asked the court to dismissed the applications of the plaintiff for lack of merit.

He argued that the issue of name raised by the plaintiff should also be dismissed.

He noted that Akpata Olumide Anthony and Akpata Olumide Osaigbovo is the same person.

Justice Ogwuatu subsequently fixed July 22nd for judgment

Related Topics:Imansuangbon LP Olumide Akpata

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Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.