Tribunal affirms Abiodun’s victory as Ogun Governor

The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Abeokuta upheld the election of Gov. Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday.

The three-man tribunal headed by Justice Hamidu Kunaza held that Abiodun was duly elected at the March 18 election.

It pronounced the verdict in a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Mr Ladi Adebutu, seeking the nullification of Gov. Abiodun.

Delivering the judgment over a period of 11 hours, the tribunal held that evidence before it showed that the petition lacked merit.

The judges held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of non-compliance with electoral guidelines, over-voting, disenfranchisement of voters and corrupt practices during the poll beyond reasonable doubt.

READ ALSO:

• FG begins verification of National Social Register

• Alleged kidnap of 3 students in Ogun fake – Police

• Police, netizens trade words over IGP secretary’s ‘N1m’ Samsung phone, luxury watch

Reading the judgment, Kunaza held that the petitioner failed to prove the facts of their case.

“On the whole, the petitioners have not successfully proved the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act (2022) and have not discharged the burden of proof,’’ he said.

On disenfranchisement of voters, the tribunal held that there was no direct evidence to prove the allegation.

On the call for the disqualification of Abiodun on allegation of criminal records, the court declared that there was no evidence that a court in the United States of America convicted Abiodun.

“I uphold the election of Dapo Abiodun as the duly elected governor of Ogun State in the March 18 election,’’ Kunaza declared.

INEC had earlier declared Abiodun as the winner of the election having polled 276,298 votes to beat Adebutu who scored 262,382 votes.

Tribunal affirms Abiodun’s victory as Ogun Governor

Fresh crisis rocks Edo PDP over Gov Obaseki’s succession plan

Fresh crisis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s succession plan.

The State Executive Committee of the chapter is polarised by the plan, which its Publicity Secretary, Vasco Ogie, said is devoid of equity and justice.

Ogie said in a statement yesterday that the next governorship primary will determine the survival of the chapter.

He urged governorship aspirants to brace up for the exercise, following the release of the guidelines for the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, he alerted the aspirants to the governor’s style, which he insisted, is devoid of equity and justice.

Ogie’s comments underscore the gravity of disunity in the Edo PDP and the tension between members loyal to the governor and those loyal to Dan Orbih, who is an associate of Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

But, Obaseki, who appears to have increasingly consolidated his hold on the party, has refrained from joining issues with party officers opposed to his leadership.

Ogie assured aspirants of a free and fair shadow poll, which will be conducted by after the release of primary guidelines by the National Working Committee (NWC).

READ ALSO:

• BREAKING : Tinubu approves additional N25,000 pay for junior workers

• Italian bags 24 years in jail for beating physically challenged Nigerian to death

• Chinua Achebe will weep for Nigeria today – Peter Obi

The statement reads: “The Edo chapter of PDP wishes to inform the general public and teeming supporters that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published its timetable for the conduct of the Governorship election in Edo State in 2024. We call on all our intending aspirants to take note of the timelines of activities.

“On Friday 29th September 2023, the Governor of Edo State, HE Godwin Obaseki addressed journalists and expressed his desire to “finish strong” and swear in a successor on November 11th 2024. We politely disagree here and make bold to state that it is the Chief Judge that has the constitutional duty to swear in who will succeed him.

“The governor further stated that, “It is not in my place to now determine, appoint or anoint any successor but all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one”. On this we agree completely with the Governor.

“Our only reservation on this is that he has not exhibited fairness, equity and justice in conducting the affairs of government since his assumption of office.

“We hereby assure Edo people that the ideals of “fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion” mentioned above are the hallmarks of PDP which will not be lost in our quest to nominate a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, from amongst our committed and dedicated Party loyalists who have stood by the Party all these years. Our nominee will be a candidate acceptable to all Edo people. The guidelines of the Party will be strictly adhered to in nominating the candidate.

“While we await the publication of the guidelines for activities from the National Working Committee, we assure all our party faithful that we shall conduct a free and fair process to pick a candidate in February 2024.”

Fresh crisis rocks Edo PDP over Gov Obaseki’s succession plan

(NATION)

Tribunal affirms Kefas as Taraba governor

The Taraba Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jalingo, on Saturday upheld the election of Gov. Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), as the governor of the state.

The three man panel headed by Justice Ayo Sunmonu dismissed the petition filed by the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and its governorship candidate Prof. Yahaya Sani, on the ground of lack of sufficient evidence.

Sunmonu dismissed the petition stating that the petitioners failed to justify the relief they sorted for.

Mr Sam Adda, the Councel to the governor applauded the judgement.

“It is a landmark judgment,” he said.

The NNPP and its candidate, had filed a petition before the tribunal seeking for the cancellation of the election alleging that it was characterized by irregularities.

Apart from the alleged irregularities, the party also alleged non compliance with the electoral act 2022, as major reason for the demand for the cancellation of the election among others. (INEC).

Tribunal affirms Kefas as Taraba governor