Politics
PEPT: Obi Calls Cyber Security Expert As Eight Witness
On Thursday, cyber security expert Dr. Chibuike Ugwoke stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uploaded a picture of a book on its results viewing portal, IReV instead of displaying the results of the presidential election that took place on February 25.
Dr. Ugwoke, appeared before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja as the eighth witness (PW-8). He testified in a case initiated by Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), who seeks to invalidate President Bola Tinubu’s election.
After commencing his testimony on Wednesday, the expert witness known as PW-8 was unable to complete his cross-examination as the Respondents raised concerns about needing more time to review his sworn statement.
As a result, during the proceedings on Thursday, the witness was called back to the stand. Each of the Respondents, including INEC, President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), had the opportunity to question him before the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani.
During the cross-examination, Dr. Ugwoke revealed that he had conducted an analysis on INEC’s ICT infrastructure, specifically focusing on what he referred to as “Meta Data.”
During his testimony, Dr. Ugwoke informed the court that the Meta Data he analyzed accurately described the information stored in the system.
He stated that his analysis focused on 12 polling units across three states: Bauchi, Anambra, and Rivers. Additionally, he mentioned that his report, which was submitted as evidence, also referenced Benue state.
The witness further disclosed that the petitioners sought his expertise on March 10 to examine the content uploaded by INEC onto its IReV portal following the presidential election.
“Though I initially sent a preliminary report which was more like an overview, around March 1, I later wrote an elaborate report in the middle of May,” he stated.
The witness acknowledged that before preparing his final report, which was submitted as evidence, he had read Mr. Obi’s petition along with the responses provided by the Respondents.
During his testimony, the witness stated that his analysis uncovered that INEC officials had made erroneous inputs into the IReV portal using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
When questioned about whether he knew the identities of those responsible for the incorrect inputs, the witness responded by saying, “I don’t know who made the uploads, but it was from the BVAS, and the number is there.”
He said though he did not in the course of his assignment, interrogate any INEC official, “but I interrogated the INEC manual.”
Asked if he contacted the Labour Party to give him what should have been the actual results from the polling units, the witness, said: “No my lords, I did not”.
“In one of the instances, the picture of a book was uploaded instead of election results. I interrogated the Amazon Web Services, AWS, that was how I got to know because the information was there in the server,” he stated.
The witness informed the court that he specifically selected 12 polling units out of the total 176,846 across the country, based on his proof of consent.
Regarding INEC’s claim of technical glitches affecting the electronic transmission of results, the witness stated that such technological errors could be identified during the testing phase of an application before its actual deployment.
He said: “Errors arise at the time of testing, but after deployment, the probability for an error to arise may be very negligible. However, it is not impossible for error to arise after deployment.
“I used three states to show that it is possible to display the meta data in the IReV portal. I proved that there were errors and I did not have to examine the Forms EC8As, physically, to reach my conclusion.”
Asked if he could tell that results from polling units in the states he analysed, were properly collated, the witness, said: “That was not for me to prove, I only presented the facts.”
He told the court that all he did was from his computer, adding that he was familiar with the AWS, which INEC engaged for the general elections.
“AWS security is a shared responsibility model between the company and a client..With respect to security, there are three components; confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
“Availability simply means that the data would not shut down and will be readily accessible when needed. That aspect is the responsibility of the AWS.” he added.
Asked if there was anything about electronic collating system in a press statement that INEC issued on the use of BVAS, which was cited in his report, the witness, said: “Yes, it was inferred in the last paragraph.”he added.
Politics
APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to their facilities, describing the development as an attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party raised the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Thursday, who expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and silence opposition voices.
According to the NDC, it has faced not only alleged violent attacks by agents of the ruling APC but also discrimination from hotels and hospitality businesses in Abuja.
SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi
The party specifically accused Rockview Hotel of cancelling agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions.
The first incident, according to the statement, occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its agreement to host the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the scheduled event.
The NDC claimed that the hotel recently rejected another request to use its facilities for a meeting, allegedly informing the party that the decision came through an “order from above.”
The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to provide its facilities for a meeting despite the NDC claiming it had fulfilled all the conditions required.
The statement further alleged that the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC) was nearly disrupted after its event venue initially asked the party to refund its payment, saying it was no longer interested in making its facilities available.
The NDC suggested that the decision might have resulted from alleged threats or instructions from influential quarters.
However, the party said its insistence on using the facility after making payment eventually compelled the hotel to honour the arrangement.
Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the NDC called on the APC to allow opposition parties to operate freely and campaign without interference.
“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the statement said.
The party also urged Nigerians and supporters of democracy to call out Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel over what it described as their “anti-people and anti-democratic actions.”
Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the NDC declared that Nigerians deserved better governance and insisted that it was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.
“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.
The party concluded with its declaration that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
Politics
‘The Panic Is Real’ – Atiku Accuses APC of Plot to Weaken ADC
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating moves to weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and frustrate his 2027 presidential ambition following a court judgment against the party’s leadership.
Atiku described the development as a calculated attempt to undermine the ADC, insisting that the timing of the judgment, which came barely a day after his campaign rally in Sokoto, was suspicious.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the ruling party was unsettled by the growing support for his candidacy.
ALSO READ: ‘Don’t Set Nigeria on Fire’ – ADC Sends Warning to APC Over Lifu Judgment
The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Thursday, November 5, 2026, delivered a judgment affecting the leadership of the David Mark-led ADC, nullifying the party’s leadership structure and raising questions over the legitimacy of Atiku’s presidential candidacy.
Reacting to the ruling, Atiku alleged that the development was part of a broader strategy to weaken his political support, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and frustrate the ADC’s growing campaign.
“The timing of this judgment is no coincidence. It is part of a strategy to weaken my support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country,” he said.
He, however, maintained that his political ambition was not limited to Northern Nigeria, arguing that the economic hardship facing Nigerians cuts across regional boundaries.
“My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president also linked the judgment to the massive turnout at the ADC presidential campaign launch in Sokoto on Wednesday, November 4, where supporters gathered to welcome him.
He said the reception demonstrated Nigerians’ desire for political change and confidence in the ADC’s promise to make life more affordable.
“What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi will have their say, and so will Nigerians across the country as our campaign moves forward,” he added.
Atiku also questioned the legal basis for reopening the dispute over the ADC leadership, recalling that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to him, the earlier judgment upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while resolving the substantive issues in their favour.
He questioned why another case was subsequently filed to reopen the same dispute, describing it as an attempt to circumvent an existing court judgment.
Atiku said the ADC would challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal.
“We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he declared.
Despite the legal setback, the ADC presidential candidate urged party supporters to remain calm, peaceful and committed to the campaign, insisting that the development would not derail the party’s political activities.
He said the ADC campaign train was already in Kebbi State and would continue its nationwide mobilisation.
“Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis,” Atiku said.
He also urged supporters to take the party’s message to Nigerians through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation, adding that the campaign remained focused on rescuing the country from economic hardship.
“There is no shaking,” he declared.
Politics
2027: Shettima Declares Nigeria’s Economy Fixed, Seeks Tinubu’s Re-election
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria’s economy has been fixed, insisting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has overcome the difficult phase of its economic reforms.
Shettima made the declaration on Wednesday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where he appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
According to the Vice President, the administration inherited an economy burdened by fiscal challenges, infrastructure deficits and weakened investor confidence, necessitating difficult but unavoidable reforms.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
“We inherited an economy burdened by fiscal pressure. We inherited a country with an infrastructure deficit. We inherited a country with weakened investor confidence and structural defects. These problems demanded decisions that no responsible government could postpone. But I come to you to assure you that the worst days are over. We have already fixed our economy,” he said.
Shettima maintained that the government’s economic reforms had strengthened public finances, improved revenue generation and restored investor confidence, while providing additional resources for state governments to pursue development projects.
He said the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to encourage domestic production, improve economic opportunities and address structural challenges affecting the country.
The Vice President also defended the government’s infrastructure programme, highlighting major road projects, including the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
According to him, the projects will strengthen connections between agricultural and industrial production centres and markets, reduce transportation costs, facilitate trade and create employment opportunities.
Shettima noted that Nasarawa State stands to benefit from improved infrastructure and investments in its agricultural and mineral resources.
He also highlighted the Federal Government’s support for higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that students from the state have access to financing under the scheme.
The Vice President further recalled President Tinubu’s approval for the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, describing it as an investment in the technical manpower required to develop Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Acknowledging the economic difficulties experienced by Nigerians, Shettima said the government was conscious of the sacrifices associated with its reforms and remained committed to translating their gains into improved living conditions.
He urged Nigerians to give Tinubu another four-year mandate to complete the administration’s development programmes.
“We have promised to connect producers and markets. We have promised to ease movement across regions. We have promised to generate employment. We have promised to diminish costs that burden traders and families. This is what we are doing, and we have come to ask for your support for another term to complete this mission,” he stated.
Shettima also urged APC supporters to reject electoral violence and embrace peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.





