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Presidential Poll: Atiku, PDP Approach Tribunal …Demand Poll Materials Inspection
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have filed a motion to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to surrender all the materials that were used for the February 23 presidential election, for inspection.
The motion ex-parte was lodged before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, yesterday.
The tribunal will conduct its proceedings at the Court of Appeal Headquarters in Abuja.
In the motion ex-parte dated March 4, Atiku and the PDP, applied for leave of the tribunal to allow them to inspect the Voters Register, the Smart Card Reader Machines, Ballot Papers and other vital documents that were used in the conduct of the presidential election.
They equally prayed the tribunal to compel the electoral body to allow their agents to scan and make photocopies of vital documents used in the conduct of the election, for the purpose of establishing alleged irregularities.
The Applicants, through their lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the tribunal that the reliefs sought against INEC was for the purpose of filing and maintaining an election petition they intend to lodge against the outcome of the 2019 Presidential Election.
The motion ex-parte motion was supported with a 12 paragraphed affidavit that was deposed to by the director of Contact and Mobilization of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd).
No date has yet been fixed for hearing of the motion which has INEC, President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as 1st to 3rd Respondents.
Atiku, who came second behind Buhari of the APC, had earlier vowed to challenge the outcome of the presidential election in court, alleging that it was fraught with manifest irregularities.
He maintained that results collated by agents at various polling units across the federation, was at variance with what was eventually declared by INEC, in favour of Buhari.
Meantime, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Tanimu Turaki, has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A source in the anti-graft agency confirmed this, yesterday.
According to the source, Babalele Abdullahi, who is the son-in-law to the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has also been released.
Turaki, a former minister and the present Deputy Director General (Administration) the PDP Campaign Organisation, was said to have been arrested, last Monday.
On the other hand, Abdullahi, who is the finance director of Atiku’s group of companies, was arrested on Saturday by EFCC operatives who reportedly stormed his residence in Abuja.
Reacting to the arrest in a tweet, last Monday, the PDP candidate said his son-in-law was detained by the EFCC and “paying the price for supporting me”.
He condemned the arrest, and warned that the government’s mandate was to pursue peace and justice for all, and not just those who support it.
Meanwhile, the PDP had claimed that Turaki was arrested and detained after being invited by the EFCC to endorse a bail document for Abdullahi.
The party said that the detention of its chieftain was part of the alleged plot by the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “use state apparatus of power” to intimidate its leaders.
It, therefore, called on the anti-graft agency to release Turaki immediately and unconditionally.
Following the arrest, the EFCC had said it would make known its reasons for arresting Atiku’s son-in-law “at the appropriate time”.
In its reaction, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), yesterday, said the Monday arrest of the Deputy Director-General (Administration) of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), was in continuation of government’s efforts to frustrate efforts by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to approach the presidential election tribunal.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.
The CUPP, in a statement by its national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, however, described the arrest as politically-motivated.
He wondered why the National Peace Committee that spearheaded the signing of peace agreement ahead of the general elections will remain silent while the government continues to clamp down on opposition leaders.
He said, “The Coalition of United Political Parties is raising alarm once again about the desperate attempt by Muhammadu Buhari and his foot soldiers to by all means frustrate efforts by coalition presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to retrieve his stolen mandate through a peaceful means- the tribunal where he planned to file his case today (yesterday).
“This time, Buhari, through his administration’s heavily biased and partisan, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the Deputy Director-General (Administration) of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
“The CUPP wishes to condemn the politically-motivated arrest of Turaki by the EFCC, not for any crime but in a failed attempt to derail the completion of processes leading to the filing of the case at the tribunal to retrieve the stolen mandate President Muhammadu Buhari has been parading about.
“The learned Senior Advocate only went to the EFCC office in connection with the signing of bail papers for other Atiku’s associates who are in custody.
“The mode of his arrest and detention clearly shows it was upon a spontaneous realisation that he was a coordinating factor in the expected legal challenge of the rigged presidential election of February 23.
“Inside source within the commission informed us that Mr Turaki is not being questioned by EFCC officials but by a team from the Presidential Villa who are only questioning him about the details of the petition of the PDP.
“They are questioning him on the evidences the PDP has in its possession and the location of the documents/legal secretariat and list of witnesses.
“This is obviously with a view to storming the location, carting away relevant papers and derailing the filing of the papers in the tribunal which must be completed within 21 days from the date of announcement of the election results.
“We, therefore, make bold to say that his arrest at this time was not a mere coincidence but a well-orchestrated plan to ensure that they scuttle the plan to challenge the illegality that happened on February 23 in court by making sure that the suit is not filed within the timeframe allowed by law.
“We have consistently been alerting Nigerians and friends of the country on all steps being taking by this government to stop any legal means to retrieve the mandate it stole on February 23, particularly how millions of naira from tax payers’ money are being doled out to individuals, political parties and groups to continue to mount pressure on Alhaji Atiku to accept ‘defeat.’
“It is noteworthy that all these harassments and intimidations of opposition leaders are going on without a word from the National Peace Committee that midwifed the signing of peace pact ahead of the general elections.
“How can there be peace where the people’s mandate was brazenly stolen? How can there be peace when barriers are consistently being mounted against the victim of executive theft so that he cannot seek redress in court?
“Let this desperate administration that will lose its legitimacy on May 29 know that the eyes of the world are on this country and its illegal actions.”
Ugochinyere urged Nigerians not to be surprised when documents begin to get missing from the registry of the tribunal because, according to him, the President and his men are desperate to protect “their crime proceeds.”
He boasted that every effort by the Buhari administration to stop the retrieval of the stolen mandate will fail.
The Federal Government has honoured 12 teachers from across the country with national awards, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the education sector through improved welfare, incentives, and professional development for teachers.
The awards were presented yesterday at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026, held in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that the government would sustain reforms aimed at empowering teachers and restoring dignity to the profession.
Alausa explained that the selection process was transparent and merit-based, with three teachers nominated from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory at both the basic and senior secondary school levels.
From the pool of nominees, 12 teachers; six from basic education and six from senior secondary education, emerged as national award recipients.
Each of the 12 awardees received a cheque of N25m.
The Overall Best Teacher of the Year, Solanke Taiwo from the South-West category, received an additional N25m, bringing his total prize to N50m.
In addition to the cash prize, Taiwo is to receive a brand new car from the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, as well as a fully furnished two-bedroom flat from the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Also, the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, pledged to give each of the award winners an additional N5 million.
The minister described the awardees as exemplifying professionalism, integrity, innovation and dedication to learners, noting that they represent the best of the teaching profession in the country.
“This is more than a reward. It is a national signal that teaching is a noble, respected, and valued profession in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking at the summit themed ‘Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability,’ the minister said the recognition of the teachers reflected the FG’s broader education reform agenda under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Teachers are the foundation of education, and education is the foundation of national development. No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
“No reform, no matter how well designed, can succeed unless teachers are empowered, motivated, supported, and respected,” Alausa said.
He pledged that the government would continue to invest in teachers through structured training, improved career pathways and fair rewards, noting that education remained central to national development.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, he said, “sustainable development, economic growth, innovation, and social cohesion depend on a strong and responsive education system and that system depends on teachers.”
As part of this commitment, the minister announced the launch of EduRevamp, a nationally coordinated Continuous Professional Development programme designed to modernise teacher training and improve classroom outcomes.
While the programme is open to teachers in both public and private schools, Alausa said performance-based incentives would be reserved for public school teachers who complete certified training.
“Professional growth must never be restricted. Every teacher deserves access to quality training, modern tools, and updated skills,” he said, adding that incentives would be tied to measurable performance.
He also highlighted complementary initiatives, including the Ignite digital platform to reduce teacher workload, the Diaspora Bridge programme to strengthen STEMM education, and the provision of 60,000 tablets for teachers with zero-data access to approved training platforms.
The minister further announced reforms to the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria’s digital platform, the expansion of Communities of Practice, and progress on the Accelerated Teacher Training Programme aimed at fast-tracking professionalisation for in-service teachers.
To provide long-term stability, he said the government had introduced a National Teacher Policy to guide teacher development, welfare and professional standards nationwide.
Addressing the award recipients and other educators at the summit, Alausa described the government’s message as “professional growth, dignity in service, and renewed hope,” urging stakeholders to focus on tangible outcomes in classrooms across the country.
In her welcoming remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, underscored the central role of teachers in Nigeria’s education reform agenda.
Ahmad said the gathering was both timely and strategic, noting that the quality of any education system is inseparable from the quality, motivation and empowerment of its teachers.
She explained that the theme aligns directly with Nigeria’s current education priorities.
According to her, investing in teachers is the bedrock of sustainable reform and national development.
“Empowering teachers is not an isolated intervention; it is the foundation upon which sustainable education reform is built.
“When teachers are supported, trained, motivated, and valued, the entire system is strengthened, learning outcomes improved, equity expands, and national development is accelerated,” she said.
Describing the summit as a strategic national platform, Ahmad said it was designed to unite key stakeholders to address challenges in the education sector and advance practical reforms.
She noted that the forum brings together teachers, policymakers, education leaders, regulators, unions, development partners and private sector actors to strengthen teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.
In his goodwill message, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Audi Amba, described the summit as a historic milestone in the recognition of teachers’ roles in national development.
Nigeria’s education sector has continued to grapple with longstanding challenges, particularly around teacher welfare, access to regular professional development, classroom capacity and infrastructure.
These issues have raised concerns among stakeholders about the quality of teaching and learning in many public schools. At the same time, industrial actions by education unions in recent years have further highlighted the pressures facing educators nationwide.
The Rivers State Government has declared that it draws its confidence from the assurance that God is more than sufficient to guide its leaders, strengthen its institutions, and sustain its communities in peace and progress.
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?Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, made this declaration during the 2026 Holy Ghost Rally organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
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?Speaking through his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the governor stated that “with the Almighty God on our side, our challenges are surmountable and our future remains hopeful,” noting that the theme of this year’s rally, “The All-Sufficient God,” is both timely and reassuring.
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This was contained in a statement from the office of the Deputy Governor, signed by the Head of Press, ?Owupele Benebo.
?According to Fubara, the theme serves as a powerful reminder that in a world filled with uncertainty, God remains our unfailing source, sufficient in wisdom, strength, provision, and grace.
He stressed that when human ability reaches its limit, God’s sufficiency prevails.
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?The governor commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God for its consistent spiritual impact and unwavering prayers for Rivers State and the nation, expressing appreciation for the Church’s contributions to promoting moral values, unity, and faith in God.
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?In his sermon, drawn from Genesis 17:1, the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, described the Almighty God, whose name is above every other name, as all-sufficient and capable of meeting every human need.
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?He noted that the God who created all things also has the power to repair and restore them.
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?Adeboye explained that while human effort, including medical intervention, may reach its limits, there comes a point where only God steps in to turn situations around, bringing hope where none seemed possible.
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?In his address, the Pastor in charge of the Rivers Family of the RCCG, Pastor Adesoji Oni, stated that the Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally, which began in 2015 and has now become an annual event, has been a tremendous blessing to the people of the State.
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Adesoji noted that the rally has drawn thousands of souls to God while impacting lives spiritually and physically.
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?He further disclosed that the Church has gone beyond preaching the gospel to actively engage in impactful initiatives through its Christian Social Responsibility programmes.
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?These include skills acquisition centres, maternity centres across the State, a rehabilitation centre for persons battling substance abuse, and an Innovative Mind Hub.
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