Politics

You went to PEPC to ‘defraud’ us of $15m, N12b, LP faction slams Obi

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2023

Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Peter Obi

You went to PEPC to ‘defraud’ us of $15m, N12b, LP faction slams Obi

The Labour Party faction under the leadership of Alhaji Lamidi Apapa has reacted to the verdict of the Presidential Election Petitions Court, which dismissed the suit filed against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the party’s candidate in the presidential poll of February 25, 2023, Peter Obi.

This was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the party had warned that Obi was only chasing a wild goose by going to the PEPC, adding that it was a shame his legal team failed to advice him properly before going to the tribunal.

While saying that the Party accept the verdict without any bias, Arabambi added that the whole process was a waste of time.

He said: “Peter Obi has just gone on a wild goose chase, imaging (sic) the candidate that failed to fund the Party in order to engage the number of required polling agents, also the filing of the witnesses outside the stipulated time has shown that the legal team is a failure.

“Some of us have been saying that Peter Obi decided to go to the tribunal to justify all the money he collected during the campaign, all that money was corruptly syphoned.

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“Its (Sic) unfortunate that Obi failed to convince the Tribunal those polling units where he was rigged out.

“The tribunal also said that he ‘made generic allegations of irregularities against the respondent without specifying the polling units.

“‘The petitioners allege irregularities and will use spreadsheets, inspection reports, and forensic analysis as evidence in the trial.

“‘The documents promised by the petitioners were not attached to the petition and served on the respondents.’”

Arabambi noted that the positions of the Court had been those the party under Apapa had been canvassing, including that “Obi and the Labour Party did not adequately detail their allegations of corrupt practices, vote suppression, fictitious results, and other irregularities in their petition.

“Labour party noted with all sense of purpose and in full agreement with the Presidential Tribunal that Strikes Out Report From The EU Tendered By Peter Obi From Its Record For Not Meeting The Clarification Guidelines.

“The court said it rejected the reports on the ground that it was not tendered by official of the body which is the author and has custody of the document and also that Peter Obi lawyers were aware that the actual copy of the report was earlier in line with all extant Law that same report had earlier been tendered by Atiku Abubakar and PDP while prosecuting their petition before the tribunal.

“The Tribunal also affirmed that the Nigeria Police, through its IGP, had written to the US to confirm the criminal status of Bola Tinubu and the US government had replied in 2003 stating that Bola Tinubu had no criminal records in the US.”

Arabambi added: “Thus our previous position has now been confirmed that Peter Obi was just all out to defraud our party of donations made towards 2023 General Election which was in a scary Sum of $15m dollars and N12 billion Naira that Peter Obi deliberate (sic) used for cure ABURE Poverty lineage and help other Julius ABURE IPOB irresponsible ethnic irredeemable irredentist supporters in order to have a life line.

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“Our party is also in tandem with the tribunal that the Claim By The Labour Party Concerning the Blurred 18,088 Results Sheets Is Totally Unfounded As The Party Ought To Have Agents At Every Polling Unit Who Will Have A Copy Of The Result Sheet but here Peter Obi fraudulently converted all monies due to our agent across the country and they all refuse to represent the party at all pooling units.

“On Peter Obi request that 25% FCT vote is a requirement before a president can be declared, we noted that this is a shame on the part of Peter Obi legal teams to be told in clear terms that Abuja Is Equal To Every Other States In Nigeria since according to the Tribunal , Residents Of Abuja Don’t Have Special Privileges, Every Nigerian Is Equal.

“Finally, in the hall of fame of absurdities, the prayers presented at the tribunal by Peter Obi and the restrained former National Chairman Julius Abure should be framed for entertainment of future students of Law.

“How does anyone claim to have won an election based solely on pejoratives, assumption, vague rhetorics and zero evidence pointing to such being the case, but on the expectation that the actual winner would be disqualified and by some stroke of black magic the candidate in the 3rd place will suddenly be declared winner, without any proof of having scored the Majority vote is absolute rascality on display by Peter Obi and Julius Abure.

“As a law abiding Party, we accept the verdict, and we are going back to the drawing board to know where we have gone wrong.”

You went to PEPC to ‘defraud’ us of $15m, N12b, LP faction slams Obi

Related Topics:Featured LP faction PEPC Peter Obi

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Politics

Kano Assembly Confirms Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor

Published

41 minutes ago

April 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Murtala Sule Garo

Kano Assembly Confirms Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor

The Kano State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of Hon. Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor of Kano State, following the adoption of the report of its ad hoc screening committee during plenary on Monday.

The approval came after the 12-member committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Bello Muhammad Butubutua, presented its findings to lawmakers at a sitting presided over by Speaker Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Garo’s nomination was earlier forwarded to the Assembly by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, following the vacancy in the office of the deputy governor, prompting the legislative screening process in line with constitutional provisions.

Presenting the committee’s report, Butubutua said the nominee underwent a comprehensive assessment covering his academic qualifications, professional experience, and personal integrity, adding that he was found suitable for the position.

He explained that the screening process followed established legislative procedures, including background checks and verification of credentials to ensure compliance with governance standards.

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After deliberations, lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations, thereby confirming Garo as fit and proper to serve as Deputy Governor of Kano State.

Speaker Falgore subsequently announced the approval of the House, clearing the way for Governor Yusuf to formally swear in the new deputy governor.

The development concludes the legislative process that began after the governor’s official request for confirmation was submitted to the Assembly.

Assembly officials noted that the screening process is part of routine checks for executive appointments, aimed at ensuring transparency, competence, and accountability in public office.

According to earlier statements from the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddin Sani Shawai, all nominees undergo strict vetting, including verification of educational background, work history, and character evaluation before confirmation.

With the approval now completed, Garo is expected to be sworn in in the coming days, restoring full leadership capacity to the state executive arm.

Kano Assembly Confirms Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor

Politics

2027: NNPP Faction Rejects Ibadan Opposition Summit Resolutions

Published

44 minutes ago

April 27, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: NNPP Faction Rejects Ibadan Opposition Summit Resolutions

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), under the leadership of Dr Agbo Major, has distanced itself from the resolutions reached at the recent opposition political parties’ summit held in Ibadan, insisting that the party neither participated nor endorsed any agreement from the gathering.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Major said the NNPP was not represented in any official capacity at the summit and warned that individuals he described as “expelled members” should not be used to misrepresent the party.

“The NNPP, as a registered political party, wishes to categorically distance itself from the just concluded opposition parties’ summit held in Ibadan. None of the recognised leaders of our great party attended that gathering,” he said.

He stressed that the presence of former or expelled members at the meeting should not be interpreted as NNPP participation, adding that such actions amount to impersonation and political misrepresentation.

The summit, which brought together several opposition groups, reportedly agreed to work toward a unified presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, a move aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the NNPP faction insists it was not part of the discussions or resolutions.

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Dr Major also used the briefing to highlight ongoing internal reforms within the party, including its electronic membership registration exercise, which he said has recorded significant nationwide participation since its launch.

According to him, the party is currently reviewing the exercise with stakeholders, including aspirants and state executives, to strengthen transparency and organisational structure.

“Our goal remains to build a credible, technology-driven political institution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians,” he added.

Major further disclosed that the NNPP has engaged with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the recognition of its leadership structure, citing existing court judgments affirming the legitimacy of its National Working Committee (NWC).

He warned that failure by INEC to comply with judicial pronouncements could trigger further political and legal action by the party, including calls for accountability within the electoral body.

The NNPP faction also accused certain individuals of impersonation, including alleged correspondence sent to INEC by Dr Ahmed Ajuji, whom it claims is no longer a member of the party.

Major referenced multiple court rulings from Abia State, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which he said affirmed the expulsion of some former members, including factions linked to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

He maintained that the rulings remain valid and binding, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone falsely parading themselves as NNPP representatives.

The faction added that it has already submitted its 2027 election timetable and activity schedule to INEC, urging the commission to enforce court decisions without delay to ensure internal stability and electoral compliance.

Meanwhile, the opposition coalition that held the Ibadan summit had earlier announced plans to field a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, a development that continues to generate mixed reactions within Nigeria’s political landscape.

The NNPP faction reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, rule of law, and credible political leadership, stressing that it will not be associated with any coalition or resolution it did not authorise.

2027: NNPP Faction Rejects Ibadan Opposition Summit Resolutions

Politics

2027: NDC Invites Obi, Kwankwaso, Sets Two-Week Deadline for Defection

Published

20 hours ago

April 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi

2027: NDC Invites Obi, Kwankwaso, Sets Two-Week Deadline for Defection

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reportedly intensified its push to bring prominent opposition figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, into its platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the party said both politicians have a two-week window to join the platform and secure its presidential ticket, signalling an aggressive recruitment drive as political realignments gather pace.

“All we need right now. Just all we need. 2 weeks to deadline,” the party wrote, alongside an image showing Obi and Kwankwaso shaking hands with the caption: “Nigeria will be OK.”

The development comes amid ongoing speculation about possible coalition talks involving leading opposition figures as parties reposition ahead of 2027. Both Obi and Kwankwaso have previously been linked to discussions around joint tickets and broader opposition alliances.

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Supporters of both politicians recently unveiled the “OK Movement”, a political support structure aimed at mobilising backing for a potential Obi–Kwankwaso collaboration ahead of the next election cycle. The group has reportedly begun setting up national, zonal, and state-level coordination structures.

The NDC’s outreach also comes at a time of uncertainty within the opposition space, particularly around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has been facing internal leadership disputes.

On April 22, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in an appeal involving rival ADC factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala, a case that could influence the party’s stability going into the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and nominate candidates for upcoming elections. However, several opposition parties, including factions of the ADC, PDP, and NNPP, have called for an extension of primaries to July, arguing that the current timeline could affect internal party processes.

Political observers say the NDC’s move reflects increasing competition among smaller parties seeking to attract high-profile candidates as Nigeria’s opposition landscape becomes more fragmented yet increasingly strategic ahead of 2027.

As of press time, neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has issued an official response to the reported invitation.