Politics
Tribunal Adjourns Suit Against Kwara Gov, July 9
The Kwara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned till July 9, hearing in the petition challenging the declaration of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the state governor.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Razaq Atunwa, had filed the suit, alleging that the governor presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The adjournment followed the failure of the petitioner to present a witness from the West African Examination Council with supporting documents.
The tribunal had expected the examination body to present the documents last Friday, following the commencement of full hearing in the petition.
Counsel to the petitioner, Abdulwahab Bamidele, told the court that he was reliably informed that the WAEC officials from Lagos mandated to produce the documents missed their flight to Ilorin last Friday morning.
Bamidele prayed the tribunal to stand down the case till 3pm for the WAEC officials to present evidence when they must have arrived Ilorin by road.
But counsel to INEC, Rowland Otaru, opposed the application.
Otaru said the petitioner ought to have called another witness if he had a case to prove.
AbdulRazaq’s counsel, Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), also told the court that the election petition tribunal was a serious business and the court should not allow the petitioner to drag the trial forever.
Counsel to the All Progressives Congress, Akin Olujimi (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the petition, pointing out that there was procedural heresy in the application.
He suggested the adjournment of the case till July 9 and 10 for the petitioner to bring all his witnesses.
The tribunal said the application to stand down the trial had no merit and insisted that the court would not grant any extension to any of the parties.
The tribunal granted the application for the adjournment till July 9 and 10, saying that the petitioners were still within their time limit of four days to argue their case as agreed during the pre-hearing trial.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
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
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