Politics
Lagos Tribunal: Jandor Seeks Transfer Of Appeal To Abuja
Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 Lagos State governorship election, popularly known as Jandor, has formally urged the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongbam-Mensem, to relocate the hearing of his appeal to Abuja.
In a letter dated October 23, 2023, addressed to Justice Dongbam-Mensem, Jandor emphasized that the transfer is sought to uphold fairness and objectivity, free from any potential interference.
The notice reached the President of the Court of Appeal’s office on the very same day it was issued.
Recall that as a measure to curb political interference in the courts, Justice Dongban-Mensem directed the transfer of all election petition cases from the 36 states to Abuja and Lagos.
Special panels in these two states are now responsible for hearing appeal cases related to governorship, national, and state assembly elections arising from tribunal judgments, consolidating the process from the previous distribution across the court’s 20 divisions.
Special panels, comprised of justices from various regions, are now convening in Lagos to handle appeals from the southern part of the country, while a separate set of panels in Abuja is overseeing appeals from the northern region.
Jandor, on October 13, submitted a comprehensive 34-ground notice of appeal, contesting the State Election Petition Tribunal’s decision on September 25. The 38-page document was officially filed by his legal team, led by Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, his deputy Obafemi Hamzat, along with the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, were all named as respondents in the notice of appeal.
Within the grounds of appeal, the PDP candidate and his party reaffirmed the reliefs in their petitions, specifically seeking the disqualification of both APC and LP candidates.
Jandor is additionally seeking the Court of Appeal’s declaration that all votes cast for both candidates and the APC in the election were deemed as wasted votes due to their disqualification from participating in the electoral process.
“And that having scored the third highest number of votes in the Election and having satisfied the provisions of the Electoral Ac,t 2022, he is the validly qualified candidate to be returned as the winner of the said election.
“That the Certificate of Return issued to Sanwo-Olu is null, void, and of no effect and that it may be determined and declared that INEC shall forthwith issue the Appellant, DR. AZEEZ OLAJIDE ADEDIRAN, with a Certificate of Return as the duly elected governor of Lagos State.”
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his long-standing association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected in 2023.
The switch was confirmed on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the decision came after extensive deliberations.
READ ALSO: Edo LP Senator, Neda Imasuen Set To Join APC
“This move followed wide consultations with political stakeholders and is in the interest of Delta’s long-term development,” Ahon stated.
Oborevwori was welcomed into the APC by senior party figures, marking what observers are calling a calculated political maneuver with potential ramifications for the 2027 elections.
More to follow…………..
The Labour Party (LP) in Edo State may be on the verge of losing another key figure, as Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, is reportedly considering a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Party insiders and political observers say the senator is under increasing pressure from APC leaders to switch allegiance, with recent developments pointing toward an imminent move.
Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges, recently stated that the Supreme Court’s verdict on the LP crisis might have come too late to prevent the damage already done, which has resulted in multiple defections across the country.
READ MORE: Okpebholo Inspects Agro, Road Projects In Edo Central
The senator is said to have a close working relationship with several prominent APC figures in Edo State and has been seen at various public functions alongside them.
Notably, he once served as a senior legislative aide to his predecessor, Senator Matthew Urhoghide—now an APC member—and also acted as Director General of the APC Campaign Council for the upcoming September 21 governorship election.
Further fueling speculation, Hon. Eugene Utubor, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Political Mobilisation and Engagement, visited the senator on Tuesday night to lobby him into joining the APC and supporting the governor’s developmental drive.
Sources privy to the lengthy meeting described it as productive.
In a statement following the visit, Imasuen praised Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, saying, “The governor has done remarkably well in such a short time. It is crucial that we come together to ensure the success of his vision for our people. Every well-meaning Edo citizen is encouraged to rally around the governor as he works diligently for our collective progress.”
While no official defection has been announced, Imasuen’s words and actions suggest his exit from the Labour Party could be only a matter of time.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has released the official fees and guidelines for aspirants contesting in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12.
According to the document, jointly signed by the party’s State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and Secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, chairmanship aspirants will be required to pay a nomination fee of N5 million, along with an administrative fee of N500,000.
In a bid to encourage female participation in the electoral process, the APC reduced the chairmanship nomination fee for women to N2.5 million, though the administrative fee remains at N500,000.
READ ALSO: Okpebholo Welcomes Ikpea To APC, Expects More Defectors
Similarly, the party introduced incentives for young aspirants under the age of 40, offering them a 50% discount on the nomination fee while maintaining the administrative fee.
For aspirants living with disabilities, the party completely waived the nomination fee and fixed the administrative fee at N250,000.
Aspirants seeking councillorship positions will also pay fees, with male contenders expected to pay N1 million for the nomination form and N100,000 as an administrative fee.
Female aspirants will pay N250,000 for the nomination form, while the administrative fee remains the same.
The APC noted that youth aspirants applying for councillorship positions would also receive a 50% discount on their nomination fee, although they will still be expected to pay the full administrative fee.
For persons living with disabilities contesting for councillorship seats, the nomination form will be issued at no cost, but an administrative fee of N50,000 will apply.
The party also clarified that no separate fee will be charged for vice chairmanship positions.
“These fees shall be paid by way of bank draft in favour of the All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, State,” the guidelines stated.
Beyond the financial requirements, the APC outlined other conditions for eligibility. Chairmanship aspirants are expected to be at least 30 years old, while councillorship hopefuls must have attained the age of 25.
Academic qualifications require a minimum of a school certificate or its equivalent, with higher qualifications considered an added advantage.
The guidelines also set out the endorsement process for aspirants. For chairmanship hopefuls, five registered party members who are voters within the aspirant’s ward, local government or LCDA must endorse their nomination forms.
Councillorship aspirants will need the signatures of 20 registered party members from their wards.
The party emphasized the need for all aspirants to prove their loyalty to the APC and show active involvement in party activities.
Each candidate must also sign the party’s Code of Conduct.
“Only aspirants cleared by the Screening Committee shall be eligible to stand for election at the party’s primaries,” the guidelines noted.
In line with constitutional provisions, the APC further stressed that any party officeholder intending to contest must resign their position at least 30 days before the election or the party primary.
“All aspirants shall comply with constitutional provisions and requirements applicable to the public office they seek to contest for,” the party added.
Why NDLEA Wants Drug Tests For Corps Members, Couples
JUST IN: Political Earthquake In Delta As Gov Oborevwori Defects To APC
Panic In Istanbul As 6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Marmara Sea
We Need Help, Not A State Of Emergency In Benue – Gov Alia Tells FG
Edo LP Senator, Neda Imasuen Set To Join APC
