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.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
-
Opinion4 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News5 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
News2 days ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics2 days agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers2 days agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Oil & Energy5 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics4 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics4 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR