Osun tribunal: INEC admits over-voting in governorship poll – Newstrends
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Osun tribunal: INEC admits over-voting in governorship poll

Published

1 year ago

on

Adegboyega Oyetola and Senator Ademola Adeleke

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted that there was over-voting in the July 16 governorship election that brought in Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun State.

A Deputy Director in the ICT department of INEC, Mrs. Abimbola Oladunjoye, disclosed this while giving evidence before the Election Petition Tribunal hearing the petition filed by Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the declaration of Adeleke as the winner of the election.

Cross-examined by the petitioners’ counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi SAN, Oladunjoye, who was referred to as a star witness of INEC, admitted that in Ward 4 unit 7, Ede South Local Government, there was an over-voting of 75, as the figure of accreditation on the BVAS report presented by INEC was 313, while the result on form EC8A was 383.

Oladunjoye’s attention was also drawn to paragraph 21.36 of his witness statement where she said the accreditation figure was 830, but in the BVAS report presented by INEC, the figure of accreditation was 793, admitting that there was an over-voting of 37.
The witness also admitted that in paragraph 26.7 of his witness statement, there was an accreditation figure of 402, while the accreditation figure on the INEC BVAS report was 263, admitting that there was an over-voting of 139.
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Also in paragraph 23.24 of his witness statement, Oladunjoye agreed that the accreditation figure she mentioned was 448, while the accreditation figure on BVAS was 224, admitting that there was an over-voting of 224.

The witness, who said under cross examination that she was not a presiding officer on the election day, added that it was only the presiding officers that had explanation on what transpired at the polling units on the election day.

The INEC representative, who admitted that she signed and certified a BVAS report for the petitioners, further said the copy of the report was different from the one issued to the respondents, adding that she never indicated that the report issued to the petitioners was an interim document, which would be subjected to synchronisation.

She testified that the synchronisation was done after election result had been declared on July 17, and BVAS report was issued to the petitioners on July 27.

After the cross examination of the witness, Chief Olujinmi hinted that the irregularities identified in the BVAS report presented by INEC was just a tip of an iceberg, saying there were loads of over-voting during the election.

The tribunal had admitted as exhibits the load of BVAS machines and CTC of Form EC8 series brought to the tribunal by the INEC counsel.

After the cross examination of the witness, the INEC counsel, Prof. Ananaba, told the court that he would no longer be calling any other witness, as he applied to close his case.

Counsel for Adeleke, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, subsequently opened his defence by tendering form EC8 series used for the election.

However, the tribunal raised issue as to the safe custody of the BVAS machine tendered and admitted in evidence, as the panel ordered that the machines should be kept at the Central Bank vault in Osogbo.

The tribunal adjourned till tomorrow (today).

The Nation

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Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 12, 2024

By

Prof. Iorwuese Hagher

Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and Canada, Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Hagher was registered at his Utange Ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area by the APC Ward chairman, Orduuga Tyokegh.

Speaking after registering as an APC member, he said, “I have found rest, I am not in APC to look for a job, I have joined the APC to help, I am here to assist my friend Sen. Dr. George Akume who is the first Tiv man to be SGF and he is also the leader of the APC.

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“All politics is local and the Shitile people where I come from have always voted for APC therefore I have decided to join them.”

Hagher who was first appointed by then President Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico later moved to Abuja where he presented his APC registration slip to the Chairman of the Benue State APC Elders Council, Elder Simon Shango, at his office.

Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC

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Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Published

5 days ago

on

May 7, 2024

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Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Dr. Jasper Uche, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has officially tendered his resignation from the party.

In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Umuaku Ward in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Uche’s decision to step down was clearly stated. The letter copied to both the PDP Chairman of Umunneochi LGA and the State Chairman of the party, reads:

“This is to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today.

“Kindly note that this decision was taken after extensive consultation.

“I thank the party for giving me the platform, which culminated in my nomination as Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections”.

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In a related development, Hon Ikechukwu Nwabekee, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Osisioma Ngwa North constituency, has also chosen to sever ties with the party.

In a letter directed to the party chairman of Amasaa Ward 5 in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Nwabekee stated:

“Kindly note that the decision is taken after extensive consultations and out of deep personal conviction.

“The firm resolve to withdraw my membership is without prejudice to my friends, associates, and numerous supporters who might have different opinions, as I seek for new challenges.

“I thank the party for giving me a great platform to perform, including rising to the position of Chief Whip Abia State House of Assembly,” Nwabekee added.

Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

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BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent

Published

6 days ago

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May 6, 2024

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BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent

Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday ignored the state governor Siminialayi Fubara’s consent in passing a new law.

The lawmakers specifically passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 into Law

It is the third time in three months that the state assembly would override the governor.

In March, the assembly had ruled against Fubara to enact the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law.

It took same measure in April by passing the local government amendment bill into law despite the refusal of Fubara to give his assent.

The lawmakers also threatened to take stringent measures against the governor “if he continues to flout the laws of the state”.

The assembly said it acted in consonance with the provisions of Section 100 (5)of the 1999 Constitution voted, and with a two-third majority votes passed the bill into law.

The lawmakers had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024, and transmitted it to the governor for assent, which he declined.

Speaking on the bill , the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said it was to secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that it is not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.

Amaewhule condemned a situation where due process is relegated to the background, contracts awarded without legal backing and the state being governed in a “dictatorial panache”.

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