Politics
Challenges Before Election Petition Tribunals
The April 2011 general elections have come and gone with the good people of Rivers State looking forward to a successful inauguration of Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi on May 29.
The political and electoral ripples from the elections are yet to settle down as opposition political parties’ candidates are challenging and ventilating their electoral grievances over the unsatisfactory conduct and outcome of the April general elections before Election Petition Tribunals in the state.
However, defeated candidates of the opposition political parties are challenging the declaration of the (PDP) candidates declared winners in the April 9th National Assembly Election and April 26th Governorship/House of Assembly elections.
On the Governorship, four opposition political parties candidates of All Grand Progressive Alliance (APGA), Sir Celestine Omehia, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Action Alliance (AA) Chief Hon. Aleruchi William, and African Political System (APS) Chief Hon. Felix Amadi are challenging the election of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of the PDP.
In Election Petition No. EPT/Gov./PH/27/2011 filed by legal counsel C.O. Ejezie Esq. of J.C. Ezike & Co. c/o Omehia & Associates 2A Ikwerre Road for Sir Celestine Omehia & APGA as Petitioners against Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and three others as respondents, APGA and its candidate’s grounds for their Petition are that contrary to S.182 (1) (g) of the 1999 (CFRN) & the Electoral Act S.138 (a) 2010 as amended, the first and second respondents being Governor Amaechi & Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru are not qualified being persons employed in the public service of Rivers State and therefore did not resign or withdraw or retire from the said employment thirty days to the date of the Governorship election held on April 26th, 2011.
Secondly, that by Provison of the S.138 (b) (c) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, that the election of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non compliance with the provision of this Act and that the 1st and 2nd respondents were not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election.
In Election petition No. EPT/GOV/PH/21/2011 filed by G.O. Tamuno Esq. for Dr. Abiye Sekibo and ACN as the petitioners against election of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, PDP and INEC as respondents, are challenging the Election based on S. 138 (b) & (c) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
Dr. Abiye Sekibo further averred that there were widespread irregularities and malpractices that substantially affected the outcome of the election in his favour, coupled with the fact that Ad-hoc staff of INEC were substituted for supporters of the respondents.
In the election petitions No. EPT/GOV/PH/37/2011, Chief Hon. Felix Amadi, candidate of the African Political System (APS) filed by Ahameke Ejelam Esq. of Principles law Partnership and Chief Hon. Aleruchi William, candidate of Action Alliance in Election Petition No. EPT/GOV/PH/39/2011, filed by M.N. Nnamani Esq c/o St. Michael Solicitors, they are separately challenging their unlawful exclusion from the Governorship Election of April 26th in the State in accordance with S. 138 (d) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
Chief Hon. Felix Amadi and Chief Hon. Alurechi Williams and their political parties respectively are seeking for the nullification of the April 26th Governorship election by reason of unlawful exclusion, an order for bye-election or re-run, or fresh Governorship election, an order canceling or withdrawing the certificate of Return issued to the Governor-elect and an order restraining the Governor-elect from being sworn in or acting as Governor or performing the functions of Governor of Rivers State.
Awanen Jas Esq, legal practitioner said, “the Petitioners having presented their petitions and grounds of the facts of the petition, the legal fireworks have started and behold their respected Justices of the Tribunal are to sip through the facts and arrive at their findings”.
However, Rivers State like other states of the Federation has two Election Petition Tribunals. The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the National/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was formally inaugurated on Friday, 20th May 2011 in High Court 16 Port Harcourt with Justice (Mrs) A.A. Wambai (Chairman), Justice O.N. Anyachelelu and Justice A.B. Abdul Kareem as members.
Justice A.A. Wambai promised that the tribunal shall be transparent and honest in all their dealings and advised counsel to always conduct themselves with utmost decorum while appearing before the tribunal without unnecessary delay.
Prior to the formal inauguration in Port Harcourt, having been sworn in, in Abuja, the Assistant Secretary of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Rivers Abubakar Mohammed, said that the Tribunal had entertained two Ex Parte Motions brought by two defeated Governorship candidates in the state and the Ex parte motions were granted for the inspection of the Electoral materials used by the INEC for the April 26th Governorship Election in the state.
Mr. Sulieman, Assistant Secretary, National/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal said “that the Tribunal is yet to be inaugurated in Port Harcourt and therefore the names of the Tribunal chairman and members are not yet available”.
Mr. Sulieman further said that in accordance with S.285 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended for election Petition to be filed within 21 days after the date of declaration of result of the election, the National/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in the State received (9) nine House of Representatives and five Senate Election Petitions, challenging the winners of the Elections of the National Assembly conducted on 9th April 2011. while out of the 32 seats in the state Assembly, election of 22 members are being challenged before the Tribunal with only 10 members having their election not being challenged.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel C. Ukala (SAN) Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) section on Legal Practice said “Election Petitions are regarded in law as “Sui generis” in nature, meaning they are neither civil proceedings nor criminal proceedings strict sensu but are rather in a class of their own with special regulator regimes which requires strict compliance”.
The Tribunals are generally ad-hoc in nature and are to be constituted not later than 14 days before the election and when constituted, open their registries for business 7 days before the election per section 133 (2) (a) & (b) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
In view of the past controversies that had trailed several Election Petition Tribunals and their judgements, members of the various Election Petition Tribunals have been enjoined to ensure transparency in the midst of the mounting challenges.
Awanen Jas Esq., legal practitioner, said Justices of the Election Petition Tribunals should hold high the integrity of the bench by discharging their responsibilities in a way, that will restore confidence and credibility to the Judiciary.
Abbiye Suku Esq., legal practitioner based in Port Harcourt and a law lecturer, said justices of the various Election Petition Tribunals should ensure that judgements are dispensed with a sense of justice.
They must work within the limit of the timelines to ensure justice is done without unnecessary legal technicalities by counsel.
However, members of the tribunal must ensure that Justice is not only seen to be done but must be done based on facts by the petitioners and Respondents, only then can the Judiciary be the last hope of the common man to restore confidence in the Electoral processes.
Philip-Wuwu Okparaji
Politics
Reps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar

A press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River State Governor, Mr Linus Obogo, disclosed that the Calabar Centre — designated as Centre B — will host representatives and stakeholders from Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
The public hearing is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Transcorp (Metropolitan) Hotel, Calabar.
The initiative, according to the statement, is designed to promote inclusive dialogue and capture the aspirations of Nigerians from all regions.
It aims to serve as a platform for citizens to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing national efforts to refine and strengthen the country’s legal and institutional frameworks.
“Citizens, civil society groups, professional bodies, traditional rulers, and other interest blocs are invited to participate in this landmark engagement aimed at advancing a more just, equitable, and responsive Nigerian Constitution,” the statement read.
The hearing forms part of the broader review process of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and is seen as a strategic move toward fostering national unity and addressing structural legal issues within the federation.
Politics
Tinubu’s Contribution To Buhari’s Presidency Marginal – Ex-SGF

For the first time since 2022, when then-presidential aspirant Alhaji Bola Tinubu declared he made former President Buhari Nigeria’s President in 2015, Mr Mustapha dismissed the claims, stressing that the merger only contributed about three million votes in addition to Buhari’s existing 12 million votes in the North.
He insisted that former President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to the breakthrough, not the three million votes from the merging parties, which he described as insignificant.
Speaking on the role of the merging parties, particularly President Tinubu, the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Mustapha, who was the keynote speaker at the launch of the book ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesman’s Experience’ authored by Mallam Garba Shehu, described the impact of the votes from other merging parties as very insignificant.
In attendance were former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, chair of the event; immediate past Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; SGF George Akume, who represented President Tinubu; PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar; former Chief of Staff to Buhari Ibrahim Gambari; elder statesman Babagana Kingibe; former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Raji Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); former ministers Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare; former Army Chief Tukur Buratai, and Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s spokesman, among others.
According to Mr Mustapha, “I do not intend to stir up any controversy. The merger in 2013 was midwifed to create a Buhari presidency. Let us look at the statistics. In the 2003 election, it was the Obasanjo-Buhari presidential contest where Buhari recorded 12.7 million votes. In 2007, it came to 6.6 million, and it went back to 12.2 million in 2011.
“When we were conceptualising the merger, what would give us a headstart? Obviously, it was at the back of our consciousness that the merger with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), though it had only one state, the ACN had six states, ANPP three states, and when you sum up the total votes that we had as the presidency in 2015, the aggregate of the total votes was 15.4 million.
“So, basically, what we brought to the table after the merger outside the Buhari 12.5 million votes was three million. Before turning to that presidency, it is important to recognise the former President’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s political trajectory.
“In early 2013, as the leader of the CPC, Buhari formally requested and supported the creation of a CPC merger committee, part of a broader coalition-building process that brought together the ACN, ANPP, APGA faction, and elements of the ruling party through the breakaway ‘new PDP’ group. His endorsement and participation, along with other party leaders such as President Tinubu and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, lent credibility and direction to the merger, helping to unify disparate party factions under the banner of the APC. That coalition-building paved the way for the first democratic defeat of an incumbent ruling party in Nigeria’s history.
“President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to that breakthrough. No account of President Buhari’s tenure would be complete without acknowledging the extended periods he spent on medical leave. These moments, while politically delicate, were also telling of his leadership philosophy and personality,” he said.
In his remarks, President Tinubu promised to build on the legacies of former President Buhari, stressing that “nation-building is a relay. The efforts of one administration lay the foundation for the next.
“In this regard, I acknowledge the efforts of my predecessor, President Buhari, and assure all Nigerians that the reform-oriented path he initiated will be consolidated and strengthened under this administration. Our Renewed Hope Agenda is inspired by the desire to build a resilient, just, and inclusive Nigeria—a nation that delivers dividends of democracy to all its citizens”.
Politics
Your Lies Chasing Investors From Nigeria, Omokri Slams Obi
Speaking during an appearance on live television on Wednesday, Mr Omokri alleged that Mr Obi’s statements were misleading and damaging to the country’s economic prospects.
Mr Omokri said some investors currently operating in Nigeria were considering exiting the market due to Mr Obi’s remarks.
“That is not true. He doesn’t rile me up. I rile him up. The reason why I came here is because I’m a patriot. Peter Obi lied. You know, foreign direct investors are watching your programme, who are making investment decisions not to come to Nigeria. There are foreign investors in Nigeria that are making investment decisions to leave Nigeria because of the lie he told.
“One of the lies he told is that President Tinubu has borrowed more than the administrations of Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari. That is a blatant lie”, Mr Omokri said.
To buttress his claims, Mr Omokri referenced figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO), maintaining that President Tinubu had actually reduced Nigeria’s external debt burden since assuming office.
“I have here with me data from the Debt Management Office, and Nigerians who are watching can go to DMO.com and search Debt Management Office, Nigeria State of Indebtedness 2015.
“As of 2015, Nigeria was owing a total of $63 billion. When Buhari was leaving office, Nigeria was owing $113 billion. Today, from the DMO, our debt has gone from $113 billion to $97 billion, meaning that Tinubu has reduced our debt by over $14 billion.
“We should be appreciating this man. Yet Peter Obi came here and lied to the Nigerian people. He took the debts and translated them into naira to make it look like the debts have increased”, he said.
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