Connect with us

Politics

PEPT: Atiku Challenges INEC’s Support For Tinubu

Published

on

 

Former Vice President and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday for defending the qualifications of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

 

Atiku argued that it was inappropriate for the electoral body to support Tinubu, whose victory in the election is currently under scrutiny in court.

 

The PDP candidate who secured the second position in the February 25 presidential election, accused INEC of engaging in a proxy battle on behalf of Tinubu.

 

Atiku, represented by a team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, called on the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja to dismiss a counter affidavit and preliminary objection filed by the Commission in response to his petition.

 

Atiku argued that INEC was not legally equipped to defend the controversies surrounding Tinubu’s educational qualifications, age, and alleged indictment in a drug-related case in the United States of America (USA).

 

According to Atiku, the electoral commission did not possess the necessary legal authority to address these matters.

Atiku contended that INEC, as the impartial entity that conducted the election, should maintain a neutral stance in the case.

 

During the court proceedings, Atiku’s lawyer informed the court that there were seven pending applications, one of which involved INEC’s request to remove 32 paragraphs from the petition that pertained to Tinubu’s qualifications.

 

Uche, SAN, prayed the court to not only dismiss INEC’s preliminary objection but to also declare it as a gross abuse of the judicial process.

 

“All that INEC has done is to ask for averments that were against Tinubu to be struck out. INEC is fighting a proxy war for Tinubu, which a neutral umpire is not expected to do. This is very wrong my lords,” Atiku’s lawyer added.

 

On the other hand, INEC, represented by a team of lawyers led by Mr. Abubakar Mahmood, SAN, as the first respondent in the case, urged the court to either strike out the aforementioned paragraphs or dismiss the entire petition due to a lack of competence. INEC’s legal team made this request during the proceedings.

 

Similarly, Tinubu’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and the lawyer representing the APC, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, also highlighted the processes they had filed, requesting the dismissal of the petition.

 

Following these arguments, the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned the case until Saturday to conclude the pre-hearing session.

 

The court announced that its ruling on all the preliminary objections would be delivered before the final judgment on the case.

 

Click to comment

Politics

Adeleke Applauds Osun People For A-Rating His Admin, Party

Published

on

Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed appreciation to Osun people for their resolute support of his administration in its quest to deliver on his five-point agenda on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)

Gov Adeleke expressed the views while addressing a technical meeting of his Policy Coordination Unit on Saturday, where he reviewed the implementation of his five-point agenda and expressed satisfaction at the delivery so far across the various sectors.

He said, “I am largely satisfied with our programme implementation so far. We have surpassed expectations and targets within one and half years in office. We just need to redouble our efforts as we face mid-term in the next six months.

“The feedback from the public has been quite encouraging. Our people have gladly given us an A-rating in workers’ welfare, infrastructure, health, education and many more. We must express our appreciation to our people

“They are happy we are delivering on good governance. A friend said our approval rating is over 80 percent. I told him I must work harder in some areas, especially that 20 percent gap. The good thing is we are just one and half years in office.

“Our party has also become very entrenched across the local governments. Leaders who were not with me during the guber primaries are now solidly with us. We are gaining more ground as people get pleasant surprises with our performance.

“Feedback shows our people are happy with our dual effort at physical and stomach infrastructure. We will continue to build the road and the people. We will not neglect human development for physical development.

“We must therefore ensure proper coordination in policy design and implementation. Our policy innovation in power, digital economy, agriculture, general economic planning, investment drive, sustainable development, youth development and gender focus must be properly harnessed under the five-point agenda.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Igbajo: Adeleke Reads Riot Act, Vows To Deal With Troublemakers

Published

on

Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned against attempts to destabilize the peace and security of Igbajo by some group of people led by Prince Gboyega Famodun through conflicting Oroke festival days.

He directed security agencies to deal decisively with any trouble maker.

According to a government statement, issued in Osogbo, reports at the disposal of the government indicated an attempt by a faction belonging to Famodun to create conflict at Igbajo by fixing a different festival date from the one officially announced by the legal and officially crowned king of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.

An effort, it noted was designed to create violence and crisis in the peaceful town of Igbajo.

As a government, the statement added, we reiterate that the Monarch of Igbajo today is Oba Ademola Makinde and the May 23rd already fixed for the Oroke Day Festival remains the sacrosanct date for the popular cultural and traditionally significant event.

“We note further that the Head of Igbajo traditional institution remains the present Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde and he is therefore empowered and entitled to fix the day for the Oroke festival. Actions of the Famodun faction is therefore against tradition and law and is therefore a nullity.

“In a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and in line with my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of Osun state, I direct security agencies to enforce the holding of the Oroke festival on the official date of May 23rd and to ensure no gathering is held on May 19th set by any other faction.

“The above directive and actions are taken to maintain peace and protect the ancient town from those hell-bent on manipulating the traditional institution to destabilize the state”, the Governor was quoted as saying,” he cautioned.

Continue Reading

Politics

Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Suspended INEC Official

Published

on

Adamawa State High Court’s Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan has issue an arrest warrant for suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari.

The court instructed the Inspector General of Police to promptly apprehend Barrister Ari and present him in court to face trial on three charges.

This directive followed an application filed by the Adamawa State Government on April 16, 2024.

During the proceedings, Chief L. D. Nzadon, representing the complainant, informed the court that they were seeking an arrest warrant against the defendant.

Referring to Section 20, Subsection (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, Chief Nzadon urged the court to utilize its authority and instruct the Inspector General of Police to apprehend the defendant, regardless of his location.

He explained that attempts to serve the defendant were unsuccessful, as the court’s bailiff had been in Bauchi State from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024, but couldn’t locate him.

In his ruling on the application, the judge noted that this was the third instance the case had been mentioned without the defendant present in court.

He acknowledged the complainant’s counsels’ explanation regarding their inability to serve Ari, suggesting that it seemed he was deliberately avoiding

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.