Election Tribunal: Tinubu, INEC, APC object to Channels TV witness on subpoena

Livy Uzoukwu, lead counsel to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party, and Labour Party, LP, told the court, “the intend to start today by calling a witness, who is on subpoena and I would hand over to J.S. Okutepa, SAN while PIN Ikwueto, SAN will lead the technical team and software presentation.”

Okutepa introduced  the witness, recorded as PW3 and led Lucky Obewo Isawode, senior reporter/editor from Channels Television, who swore an oath and climbed the witness stand.

He said he was in court to adopt his earlier written deposition and present a video recording of statements made by the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu and national Commissioner, Festus Okoye.

Then objections start flying from respondents counsels…

Akin Olujimi, SAN (Tinubu and Shettima) is the first off the blocks, saying the witness and his testimony was not pre-listed and front-loaded in time, according to electoral law. The first Respondent (INEC) and Fourth Respondent (APC) follow suit with similar reasons for objections.

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Okutepa urged the court to dismiss the objections. After characteristic banters of fireworks, the Haruna Tsammani-led panel reserves ruling on the objections till final address and orders PW3 to proceed with his adoption of deposition and subsequent video presentation.

It was a fierce session of objections from the Respondents in Obi vs Tinubu June 9† as the defendants succeeded in stopping a witness on subpoena from giving evidence.

Immediately the witness, Lucky Obewo Isawode, senior reporter/editor, Channels Television was recorded as PW3 and sworn for him to adopt his deposition, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, leading the first Respondents (INEC) team objected, saying it was against the Electoral Act to present evidence without pre-listing and front-loading in the petition. The other members of the defense tag team – Tinubu, Shettima and APC – chorused in support of INEC.

This drew JS Okutepa, SAN, leading the Petitioners’ witness in evidence to respond by urging the court to dismiss the objections and allow the witness proceed.

After real fierce exchanges and citations, the Haruna Tsammani-led panel ordered that the witness should go ahead while objections will be ruled on during presentations of final addresses.

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Having wasted over 30 minutes, Okutepa resumed with his witness. Immediately PW3 brought out the enclosed flash drive to replay on the large screen television that had been waiting for use, the Tinubu and Shettima counsel stepped out again, objecting this time that the flash drive should not be played since they were not served before hand, calling it an ambush.

Another series of legal fireworks and citations took over.

By the time the Tribunal decided that the PW3 should go ahead and play the video, it was already 6.00 pm that the court was forced to adjourn to tomorrow, Saturday,  June 10.

Ironic, isn’t it, that INEC is quoting the Electoral Act? Their reckless disregard to the Electoral Act while conducting the election in dispute gave birth to this Tribunal in the first place.

Tomorrow is another day, for whatever will be will certainly be.

Election Tribunal: Tinubu, INEC, APC object to Channels TV witness on subpoena

Lagos lawmakers will reverse all reversible laws to protect interest of indigenes – Obasa

Reactions have continued to trail the proposed legislation by Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, intended to make laws regarding property and the economy to protect indigenes of the state.

Obasa had in his acceptance speech after his re-election for the third time, declared that Lagos is a Yoruba land and that laws passed by the assembly will now be translated to Yoruba language, adding that laws will be made to protect the interests of indigenous people of Lagos while also noting that lawmakers will reverse all that is reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.

Reacting during an Arise TV programme, Dr Reuben Abati, who condemned Mr Obasa for such divisive statement, noted that the function of the legislature at the level of the house of assembly, according to the constitution, is “to make laws for peace, order, and good governance of Nigeria.”

His words: “That statement made by speaker Obasa, I don’t see how that promotes peace, order, and good governance. His statement is provocative as you’d recall that during the just concluded elections, ethnicity was such a big problem in Lagos state, resulting in conflict in parts of Lagos between indigenes and other persons of other ethnic extraction to the extent that indigenes were carrying rituals and threatening non indigenes to leave Lagos.

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“You can’t have that in a society. Why did Obasa consider it necessary to reopen that matter? He should talk like somebody who is interested in the national interest; public interest and not a provincial person, dredging up antediluvian sentiments, ‘Lagos belongs to the Yorubas, Lagos is a no man’s land’. I thought that argument was part of the politics. He should not use the platform of the house of assembly to play politics. That’s not leadership,” he added.

We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC

Leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, yesterday, said it is determined to return to government in 2026.

The Osun APC leadership directed party officials in wards and local government areas across the state to resume meetings and other political activities in preparation for future elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the acting state chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal, said no effort would be spared to ensure return of the party to power and continue its good and people-centric leadership.

The meeting, which was held at the instance of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, was aimed to bring together members of the party with a view to charting a new course for the progress and success of the party and its members.

Lawal, who commended leaders and members of the party for their loyalty, resilience, perseverance and commitment throughout the litigation period, said right mechanisms had been set in motion to properly and genuinely restructure the party for the betterment of all.

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According to him, the main motive behind the meeting was to re-strategise and further foster unity between and among members of the party as they resolve to wrest power from the incumbent government in the state.

“I want to start by appreciating Oyetola for initiating this meeting.

“As we all know, this family meeting is very crucial particularly at a time like this that we have made frantic efforts to put our house in order and work towards reclaiming power from the incumbent administration.

“As a party, we recognise the fact that after the Supreme Court judgment, we have not met with a large house like this, so, this is to let the whole world know that we remain united, resolute and committed to strengthening the party, promote internal democracy and, indeed, set the motion for the all-round success, progress, growth and development of our party and the state.

“I want to assure you all that former governor Oyetola is solidly behind the party and he had promised to continue to support the party. Though what happened is divine and we have taken it in good faith as God’s will just as we believe that APC will come back to government soon.

“Let’s return to our various units, wards and councils to start mobilising our people across the nooks and crannies of the state as we know that the journey to reclaim the state for our party has begun right from now.

We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC