Politics
Aregbesola, Omisore Know Fate, Today …As Tribunal Gives Verdict
The Election Petitions Tri
bunal hearing matters relating to the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State will deliver its final verdict on the election today.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyinola Omisore had dragged Governor Raufu Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the tribunal.
It will be recalled that Aregbesola polled 394,684 votes in the poll to beat his main challenger, Omisore who scored 292,747 votes.
Omisore prayed the tribunal to sack Governor Aregbesola and declare him (Omisore) winner of the poll.
Omisore’s counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) had told the tribunal during the address stage that Aregbesola admitted that he scored 234,971 votes, and not 394,684 credited to him by the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC).
But Aregbesola’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi explained that the governor did not admit scoring less than the number of votes credited to him by INEC.
He stated that what the table meant was that “assuming with our conceding that the tribunal cancel the result in the disputed units, the first respondent (Aregbesola) would still have won with the new figure.”
Arguing that the petitioner failed to prove his petition, the counsel referred to the objection of the first respondent to the petition at the hearing stage, saying he adopted the two applications filed to challenge the competence of the petition.
Olujinmi argued further that the petitioner dumped the ballot papers used for the election and other electoral materials at the tribunal without proving to the panel how they relate to the case, and therefore urged the tribunal to dismiss the case.
Aregbesola’s counsel also stated that the duplicate copies of Form EC8A tendered by the petitioner were inadmissible, and that those who tendered them were not the makers of the documents.
In his own submission, counsel to the APC, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) also urged the tribunal to strike out the petition by Omisore.
Akeredolu adopted APC’s written address and the arguments of the first respondent in the case.
According to him, he was not opposed to the objectives raised by the first and third respondents (Omisore and INEC, respectively) in their written addresses, adding that the suggestion of the petitioner that the APC did not have locus in the case was strange.
Akeredolu argued that the purported certified true copies of documents tendered did not conform to the provisions of the law.
According to him, the documents were not listed nor pleaded and those who tendered them were not the makers.
Counsel to the INEC, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye had adopted the same argument by Omisore and APC, arguing that nobody came before the panel to give evidence that they were disenfranchised during the poll.
He said that the petitioner had failed to prove the burden of proof shifted to him and that his petition should be dismissed.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
-
News2 days agoNigeria Has Woken Up From Slumber Under Tinubu – Shettima
-
News2 days agoOji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara
-
Featured2 days agoRivers: Impeachment Moves Against Fubara, Deputy Hits Rock …As CJ Declines Setting Up Panel
-
News2 days ago
Nigeria To Begin Exporting Urea In 2028 -NMDPRA
-
City Crime2 days ago
Health Commissioner Extols Fubara’s Commitment To Community Healthcare Delivery
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Tinubu, Leading Nigeria To Sustainable Future – Okowa … Lauds Oborevwori Over Uromi Junction Flyover Construction
-
News2 days agoEFCC Indicts Banks, Fintechs In N162bn Scams
-
News2 days ago
Situation Room Decries Senate’s Delay On Electoral Act, Demands Immediate Action