Politics
Tinubu, Shetima, APC kick As Tribunal Moves To Consolidate Petitions Against Presidential Election
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have kicked against the proposal for the consolidation of the petitions challenging their return as joint winners of the election.
The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) at the sitting on Monday had proposed to consolidate the three petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the Labour Party, LP, and its presidential candidate Peter Obi and the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
The proposal made by the Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, was predicated on the grounds that the petitions are relating to the same election and the returns and to ensure expeditious hearing of the petitions.
READ ALSO: Court Moves To Consolidate All Petitions Against Tinubu
However, in fierce opposition to the proposal, the APC and Tinubu insisted that they would be greatly jeopardized and the interest of justice would not be served if the request for the petitions consolidation is granted.
APC, through its counsel, Charles Edosomwen SAN, argued that it would not be able to defend its victory perfectly if the petitions are consolidated.
Specifically, the party said it would not be able to engage the huge number of witnesses already lined up to testify against it and its presidential candidate in the election especially on the myriad of allegations against them.
On his part, Tinubu, represented by Chief Akin Olujimi SAN, faulted paragraph 50 of the 5th Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022 which empowers Election Petition Court to consolidate petitions if they are against same election and same declaration of winner.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Presidential Election Tribunal Rejects Live Coverage Of Proceedings
Tinubu warned that the law should be invoked in the hearing of the petitions challenging his declaration as the President-elect adding that it is not mandatory for the three petitions to be merged for effective hearing.
He argued that different issues were raised in the petitions against him and would require that the petitions be heard differently.
Kabir Masari, who is the 5th defendant in the petition instituted against Tinubu by the Allied People’s Movement, APM, also vehemently objected to the consolidation, claiming that the proposal would cause confusion, chaos and embarrassment.
Masari, through his lawyer, Roland Otaru SAN, maintained that even though the Electoral Act permits consolidation of petitions, the interest of justice would not be served in the instant petitions.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the APM supported the proposal and pleaded with the court to discontenance the objections and consolidate the three petitions for quick hearing.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Court Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani fixed May 23 to deliver ruling.
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Politics
Rhodes-Vivour Dumps Labour Party, Joins ADC
Published
21 minutes agoon
September 6, 2025By
Editor
The former Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has formally declared for the African Democratic Congress.
Rhodes-Vivour made the announcement at an event held in Lagos on Saturday.
The development came on the heels of a coalition of opposition parties under the ADC platform seeking to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
The party officially formed the coalition in July, courting prominent figures in a bid to build a formidable third force ahead of the polls.
Speaking during the declaration, Rhodes-Vivour described the move as part of a broader coalition.
READ ALSO:Just In: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Defeated In Own Polling Unit
He said, “I am happy to become part of this family. I’m looking forward to the union and governance that this party will bring to Nigerians. My prayer is that God will grant our leaders and the party’s structure the wisdom to come together and define a new path for our beloved country.”
The politician also called for unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is a coalition that is meant to rescue Nigeria. I have said since after the 2023 elections that we cannot afford to divide the opposition going into the next election. We must come together, united through a robust coalition that will stand a chance in 2027 to deliver this country,” he added.
Rhodes-Vivour had accused the police on Friday of attempting to frustrate the event, which was scheduled to take place in the Alimosho area of the state.
In a statement issued by his aide, Olalekan Anjolaiya, the organisers were said to have duly notified the police about the event.
READ ALSO:APC Mocks Jonathan As ADC Woos Him For 2027 Race
It was, however, gathered that security operatives barred Rhodes-Vivour and his supporters from gaining access to the venue on Saturday morning, before it was later moved to another location within the local government area.
Reacting to the incident, he said, “I’m going to address the press later on the events that happened today and those that happened since yesterday. But with this speech, I just want to confirm that I am joining the ADC coalition.”
The Chairman of the ADC in the state, George Ashiru, said the move signalled the strengthening of an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also described Rhodes-Vivour’s defection as a historic affirmation of a coalition that had been in the works since the last election.
He said, “Today we are having one of the most important affirmation programmes where our coalition partners from one of the key blocs in the Labour Party are joining this wonderful family of Nigerians, the African Democratic Congress.
READ ALSO:Lagos Guber: LP’s Rhodes-Vivour Clears Air On Being Backed By Godfathers
“We are not affirming one man, we are affirming a movement, but every movement has a leader, and what brother Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour represents is the leadership of a movement that shook Lagos in the last election.”
According to him, the coalition was built on a foundation of communication that began during the 2023 polls and had now matured into a common platform to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Also speaking at the event, a representative of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Professor Ola Olateju, urged party members to believe in their capacity to provide an alternative for Nigerians.
He said, “We should not look at ourselves as if we are not able or not competent to rescue Nigeria. Anybody here could become anything. There is equal opportunity for everybody irrespective of ethnic group, agenda or class. ADC is not just a political party; it’s a movement, a movement of the people. It is an exodus. We are moving in order to rescue Nigeria.”
Politics
NNPP Expels Reps Member, Drags Him To Court
Published
1 hour agoon
September 6, 2025By
Editor
The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expelled Abdulmumin Jibrin, member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, over alleged insubordination and failure to remit statutory party dues.
Announcing the decision at a press conference on Saturday, NNPP state chairman, Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, said the move was necessary to uphold party discipline and supremacy.
Dungurawa accused Jibrin, a former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, of demarketing the party’s national leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while allegedly aligning with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.
READ ALSO:FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime
He said Jibrin’s repeated media appearances, including a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, discredited the party’s principles and projected views that did not represent NNPP’s official position.
“If he was truly strong politically, he would have won his election under the APC in 2019, but he failed. It was Kwankwasiyya and NNPP that gave him victory in 2023. Now he is deceiving himself, thinking he is strong,” Dungurawa said.
Jibrin, who has met President Tinubu twice at the Presidential Villa in recent weeks, has publicly hinted at a possible defection, saying he remains open to joining any party, including APC, PDP, ADC, or PRP.
READ ALSO:APC Defeats NNPP In Kano Re-run Election
Dungurawa disclosed that a reconciliation committee was initially set up to engage Jibrin after his first interview, but the lawmaker “crossed the line” by granting a subsequent interview to DCL Hausa, where he openly discussed his next political moves.
“Instead of dialogue, he went further to work against our interest and openly declared loyalty outside the party. That is why we expelled him. He has no value to add to NNPP,” Dungurawa said, adding that the party will drag Jibrin to court to recover unpaid dues.
On speculation that Jibrin may return to the APC, Dungurawa said such a move would not affect the NNPP’s strength.
“Politics is about groups and coalitions. Kwankwasiyya remains solidly behind our leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he stressed.
Politics
Why We Are Yet To Recognise ADC Leadership – INEC
Published
1 hour agoon
September 6, 2025By
Editor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
is yet to comply with the extant rules required for the formal recognition of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as its National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The lack of compliance, INEC stated, renders all official documents and communications bearing their signatures null and void until the process is completed.
Speaking with newsmen, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said:
“Ask ADC if they have truly complied with all the requirements. They visited the Commission recently, and we told them what the problem was. They are aware. Please get in touch with Bolaji Abdullahi, their spokesperson, who was part of the delegation. He ought to have briefed journalists about their visit and what transpired.”
READ ALSO:Anambra Guber: INEC Releases Total Number Of Registered Voters Ahead Election
On the implications for ADC candidates in upcoming elections, Oyekanmi said:
“I believe the party will comply with extant rules. Once they do, they won’t have any problem.”
Although INEC did not specify the outstanding requirements, it was gathered that ADC is expected to submit sample signatures of the National Chairman and National Secretary, along with other documentation in line with its constitution.
INEC regulations require political parties to submit detailed resolutions, verified signatures of authorised officials, and evidence of adherence to constitutional procedures before any leadership change can be recognised.
READ ALSO:ADC: Why INEC Has Not Recognised David Mark, Others
Reacting to the development, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the delay was “largely administrative” and confirmed that the party made the required submissions to INEC last Thursday.
“We have had clarity now, and we made the required submission to INEC last Thursday. We are hopeful that everything will be resolved in the coming week,” he said.
The party has repeatedly accused unnamed individuals of attempts to frustrate its growth ahead of the 2027 general elections and other off-cycle polls.
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