Politics
Tribunal: Adeyeye Gives Reason For Appealing Against Olujimi’s Victory
Chief Rafiu Balogun, counsel to the Senate spokesman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye has faulted the verdict of the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal which declared the immediate past Senate Minority Leader, Abiodun Olujimi actual winner of the Ekiti South Senatorial District Election.
Balogun, in his official reaction to the tribunal ruling against his client, maintained that the tribunal actually made case for the petitioner by conducting a recount of the votes.
The Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti had, last Tuesday nullified the election of Adeyeye of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and declared Olujimi of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as the true winner of the February 23, 2018 election.
Delivering the judgment, the three-man tribunal, in a unanimous judgment read by Justice Danladi Adeck said, Olujimi polled a total of 54,894 as against Adeyeye who polled 52,243 after a recount confirmed the votes
Balogun maintained that there was no order from the court for the recount to be conducted either by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) or the tribunal.
Balogun who explained that the defence team had argued against such during the proceedings wondered where the tribunal derived its powers to carry out such a sensitive task which its judgement was relied upon.
“We are not satisfied with the tribunal ruling against our client because there are a lot of loopholes in the judgement. What the tribunal relied upon was the report of collation agent of the PDP who said INEC deliberately voided their votes. He did not say he did a recount and there was no order at all for the recount to be done at the INEC office and we had argued against it and had been settled at the appeal in the case of involving Kayode Fayemi and Olusola Eleka recently., that you can only do recount at the open court . Even in the case of Fayemi versus Segun Oni and Oshiomole.
What they are saying is that INEC deliberately voided their votes. The tribunal is making a case for the petitioner,” he said.
Corroborating Balogun’s position, the Counsel to the APC, Barrister Kabiru Akingbolu stated that the tribunal also agreed with the defendants that all the witnesses have said were mere hearsay and the document referred to at the polling unit were documentary hearsay. Unfortunately, the tribunal summersaulted 360 degrees to say that the personal computation done by the witness without any reference to the results of the unit was valid.
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.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
News2 days ago2026 Budget: FG Allocates N12.78bn For Census, NPC Vehicles
-
Featured5 days agoRSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
-
Featured5 days agoTinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally
-
Politics2 days agoWike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe
-
Sports2 days agoAFCON: Osimhen, Lookman Threaten Algeria’s Record
-
Politics2 days agoRivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance
-
Maritime2 days agoMARITIME JOURNALISTS TO HONOUR EX-NIWA MD,OYEBAMIJI OVER MEDIA SUPPORT
-
Sports2 days agoPalace ready To Sell Guehi For Right Price