Connect with us

Politics

Osun: APC Obtained Incomplete BVAS Report – Ex-INEC Director

Published

on

A former Director of Voter Education and Publicity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, has thrown more light on the election petitions tribunal judgment that sacked Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the 2022 governorship election in the state.

The Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal had on Friday ruled and nullified the election of Adeleke and directed INEC to withdraw his certificate of return and issue a new one to Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress.

Advertisement

But during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Osaze-Uzzi said the discrepancy in the 2022 Osun State governorship election, as it related to the BVAS, was owing to the fact that the APC obtained an incomplete report upon which the judgement was based.

READ ALSO: Why Tribunal Sacked Osun Gov, Adeleke

The second member [of the tribunal] – the Honourable Justice who dissented from his two colleagues – said, ‘I would rather use the primary source of this information, and the primary source of this data is actually the machine itself.

Advertisement

“It is basically a computer. So, rather than go to the server where it transmitted data, I would use the printout from the machine itself,” he said.

He added, “The machines were tendered, so were the reports from the server, and there ought not to have been a discrepancy, but somewhere along the line, not all the data had been transmitted at the time the APC obtained the certified copy of the initial server report.”

“It was BVAS that exposed that as it were, and the fact that the BVAS report was relied on. But we have to be careful; which of the BVAS reports was relied on? Was it what was transmitted to the server – to the backend – or was it the BVAS itself?”, he further stated.

Advertisement

He said there was a need to break the verdict of the tribunal, adding that the majority of the tribunal members – “the chairman and the second member” – relied on the initial report and the initial report of the backend, duly certified by INEC.

Osaze-Uzzi explained that the APC obtained a certified copy of the initial server report the remaining data was transmitted by the BVAS hardware.

“It was downloaded from the server [after it was] transmitted. But a couple of days later – INEC used the word ‘synchronised’, I’m not too sure I like that word, but – you synchronise it and say, ‘Have all the results been transmitted – has all data been transmitted from the machine, BVAS itself, to the server?’

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Osun: Shehu Sani Reacts Adeleke’s Sack By Tribunal

The machine is a physical one and then it transmits to a physical one and then it transmits to a physical one. It now went, checked and said, ‘There’s a problem here.’ The BVAS report now downloaded itself, [we] now brought it out and examined each BVAS machine and now found out that no, some data was not transmitted to the server,” the ex-INEC director said.

Osaze-Uzzi, however, encouraged stakeholders to be optimistic about the use of BVAS as it exposed the over-voting in the election as ruled by the tribunal, describing the judgement as a validation of the role BVAS has played in enhancing the electoral process.
PUNCH

Advertisement

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Politics

Akwa Ibom Commissioner Resigns After Gov’s Defection To APC

Published

on

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Ini Ememobong, has formally resigned following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress

In a Facebook post on Friday, Ememobong explained that his resignation was in accordance with the Governor’s directive that any political appointee unwilling to join the APC should step aside.

Advertisement

“Today, I have tendered my resignation to the Governor in compliance with his directive that his appointees who are unwilling to join him on the political journey to the APC should resign,” he stated.

Ememobong, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, emphasised that his decision was guided by his principles and long-standing opposition to the APC.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Macheting Wife To Death

Advertisement

While I cannot question or fault the Governor’s personal decision, I am unable to join in that sojourn. My decision is borne out of my belief in politics with principles and my long-standing opposition to that political platform, which is daily validated by numerous Nigerians across many sectors,” he said.

He made it clear that his resignation does not reflect any personal disagreement with Eno.

This decision does not affect my personal relationship with the Governor, who calls me his brother and reposed great confidence in me by saddling me with two very important ministries (Information and Special Duties & Ibom Deep Sea Port),” he wrote.

Advertisement

I have and will continue to have tremendous respect for HE Governor Umo Eno, even out of EXCO.”

READ ALSO: EFCC Arrests Ex-Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, For Alleged N700bn Fraud

In his statement, Ememobong expressed gratitude to both the governor and his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

Advertisement

“Let me convey the very sincere appreciation of my family to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for appointing me into his cabinet. Our very special appreciation goes to Mr Udom Emmanuel, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his enduring love and belief in me, especially for appointing me into the Executive Council during his administration,” he said.

Reflecting on his career in public service, Ememobong said he is proud of his contributions as he appealed for understanding.

Ememobong added, “Given another opportunity, I will do more.”

Advertisement

“I understand this decision may not please everyone, and to those who are disappointed, I humbly seek your understanding,” the commissioner concluded.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

VIDEO: Moment Tinubu Observed Akwa Ibom Gov’s Defection To APC

Published

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, observed the official defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, via a televised broadcast.

A video shared by the official APC account on X.com (formerly Twitter) captured the President watching the live transmission on TVC News.

Advertisement

The caption read: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, observed Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State defect from the PDP to the APC in the early hours of today.”

Eno made an official announcement of his defection on Friday at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.

READ ALSO: Governor Eno Endorsed For Second Term As He Doubles Ward PAs’ Salary To N500,000

Advertisement

The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state.

Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move.

APC has also formally welcomed the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, following his defection to the ruling party.

Advertisement

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party’s National Working Committee expressed delight at Eno’s decision, describing it as a significant boost to both the party and the people of Akwa Ibom.

Photo/Video Credit: PUNCH

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

US-based Mathematics Professor Joins Osun Gov Race

Published

on

A United States of America-based Professor of Mathematics, Rafiu Durodoye, has joined the race for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, promising to focus on education and quality healthcare delivery if elected governor.

Durodoye, an indigene of Osogbo, Osun State who was accompanied by many supporters, earlier met the members of the State Working Committee of the APC at the party’s State Secretariat in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Prof. Rafiu Durodoye
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Durodoye expressed hope that APC would provide a platform for him to contest the poll.

READ ALSO: Osun APC, PDP In War Of Words After Adeleke, Tinubu’s Meeting

“I am Professor Rauf Durotoye, a Professor of Mathematics at Dallas College for 37 years.
At this point in my life, I have to contribute my quota to the development of Osun State.

Advertisement

“I want to donate my knowledge, experience and wealth to the development of our youth. Our youth have no future, no mission, no goal, it is very sad.

“So I have to donate everything that I have in order to make Osun, not only a great state but also a model state that others will learn from in education, health care delivery, science and technology and economy empowerment, I can do it,” Durodoye said.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos

Advertisement

Commenting on the state of affairs in Osun APC, he commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for providing leadership for the party in Osun.

He also lauded President Bola Tinubu, for the effort to stimulate the economy, saying the direction he is leading Nigeria will end in self and sustained growth.

Asked about his chances to get an APC ticket, the university don said, “I am very hopeful that the party will give me the ticket. I am here to provide service. No quality education in the state, we have to do something about it.”

Advertisement

Already, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, a security expert and lawyer, Mr. Dotun Babayemi and the chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, have announced their interest in the APC ticket for the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship poll.
(PUNCH)

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending