Politics
PEPT: INEC Clarifies Objection To Tendering Own Documents By Peter Obi, APM Petition Adjourned
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the reasons behind its opposition to the submission of its documents as evidence by Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in support of his petition against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that during Thursday’s session at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) strongly opposed the admission of multiple documents presented by Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and the Labour Party as exhibits to support their petition.
However, on Friday, INEC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, informed the court that the electoral body objected to the submission of certified true copies of the documents, particularly election result sheets because obi and the Labour Party did not raise any concerns regarding the conduct of the election in the specific areas connected to those documents.
Pinheiro further clarified that there were no contested issues raised in the local government areas where the result sheets were being presented for tender.
He criticized the petitioners for venturing beyond the specific areas where the election was being disputed.
Pinheiro further accused Obi of attempting to create confusion by introducing result sheets from areas where he did not challenge the election or its outcomes Emphasizing that the presidential candidate should have adhered to the allegations and claims outlined in his petition.
INEC contended that the inclusion of certain local government areas in the court proceedings was unlawful and unrelated to the petition, rendering them legally invalid.
However, when INEC provided its explanation during the court session, the Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, expressed displeasure and frustration with the explanation.
Justice Tsammani criticized INEC’s lawyer for introducing the explanation during the proceedings, stating that it was inappropriate to smuggle such an explanation into the court at that time, adding that all parties involved in the petition had previously agreed to provide such explanations during the address stage of the proceedings.
In response, Pinheiro apologized to the court for his actions but explained that he felt compelled to raise the objections due to the intense criticisms faced by his client in the media.
He hinted that his client had been subjected to ridicule on social media without people taking the time to understand the reasons behind the objections against the admissibility of the documents.
Furthermore, the court has accepted the submission of Form EC8A from 21 local government areas in Adamawa State, eight local government areas in Bayelsa State, as well as portions from Rivers and Niger States as exhibits which were tendered by Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and the Labour Party.
Handling the proceedings on behalf of Obi and LP is Peter Afoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Also, the court rescheduled the hearing for the petition filed by the Allied People’s Movement (APM) to June 9 to allow the lawyers involved in the case to obtain the Supreme Court’s judgment, issued on May 26.
The outcome of this judgment will determine whether the petition can continue or if it lacks the necessary grounds to sustain it.
Following his observations that ‘the momentum was strong’ Matt Gaetz whom 47th POTUS elect, Donald Trump nominated for Attorney General has withdrawn.
Biztellers reports that this follows his meeting with Senate and the feedback, which included two women, represented by their attorneys, who accused him of having paid for sex.
Consequently, Gaetz placed on record his full commitment to seeing “that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.”
His withdrawal according his statement on micro-blogging site, X, was based on his conviction that “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle”.
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In is view, “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1”.
Gaetz wrote, “I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.
“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
His backers have promptly encouraged to take his seat in the House of Representatives, having been elected to the house under the flag of the Republicans to represent Florida.
The Executive Governors from Nigeria’s South West have unanimously nominated Senator Ademola Adeleke as the chairman of the zone on the National Economic Council (NEC).
Adeleke is the Executive Governor of Osun State, southwest, Nigeria.
This, according to the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, transpired on Thursday, at a meeting of the NEC.
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He noted that the meeting reviewed the state of Nigeria’s electricity sector and resolved to engage subnational structures to address current challenges in the sector.
“The meeting particularly sought to build on the devolution of the electricity sector and its movement into the concurrent legislative list which empowers state governments to regulate the sector in their respective areas,” he stated.
Consequently, the NEC, therefore set up an ad hoc committee to review actions in the sector by state governments and explore ways to ramp up activities through coordination, Rasheed highlighted.
The full list of members of NEC’s Ad-hoc Committee on National Electrification:
- Governor of Cross Rivers State, Bassey Out – Chairman, South-South
- Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda – Chairman, North-West
- Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya – Chairman, North-East
- Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke – Chairman, South-West
- Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma – Chairman, South-East
- Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang – Chairman, North-Central
- Hon. Minister of Finance, Wale Edun
- Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu
- Special Adviser, NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai
- Special Adviser, Power Minister, Hon. Bolaji Tunji
- MD/CEO Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu
- MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije
- Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak
- NEC Secretariat
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.
In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.
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The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.
According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.
The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”
The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.
“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.
The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.
“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.
It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.
“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”
The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.
It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”
Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.
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