Politics
PEPT: Court Admits Additional Video Evidence In Peter Obi Petition
The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja has accepted additional video evidence presented by Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
The video, stored on a flash drive, was presented by Ijeoma Osamor, the anchor of the Democracy Today program on AIT.
During the court session held on Friday, the video recording which was played openly after being admitted as an exhibit, was brought forward in response to a subpoena issued by the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel to Africa Independent Television (AIT).
In the video, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, can be seen addressing the press during a conference.
He assured that the results of the upcoming 2023 general elections will be transmitted electronically, utilizing Bimodal Voter Accreditation (BVAS) devices.
Subsequently, following the admission of the video recording as evidence, the court granted permission for the lawyers representing INEC, President Bola Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – who are respondents in the case – to cross-examine the witness.
During the cross-examination, Osamor clarified to the court that contrary to the positions presented by President Tinubu and the APC, the INEC Chairman did not declare before the elections that the results would no longer be uploaded.
However, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, counsel for the APC, insisted that there was a newspaper publication supporting the party’s claim that the INEC Chairman had provided reasons before the elections as to why the Commission could not transmit the results.
During her testimony, the witness affirmed to the court that as a reporter assigned to cover INEC-related news, she had attended all press briefings conducted by the Commission.
She stated categorically that she never heard any announcement from Prof. Yakubu regarding the discontinuation of result transmission.
Furthermore, she informed the court that the publication referred to by President Tinubu and the APC, dated February 23, was likely a personal interview between the INEC Chairman and Tribune Newspaper.
This suggested that it might not have been an official statement or declaration made by Prof. Yakubu during a press conference or public event.
In the midst of the trial, all the Respondents raised objections to the admissibility of the video recording obtained from AIT as evidence. They expressed their intention to present detailed reasons supporting their objections in their final written addresses.
Earlier during the proceedings, Prof. Eric Ofoedu, a Mathematics professor from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, testified that he had analyzed some of the results of the presidential election that INEC had uploaded on its IReV portal.
During cross-examination, Prof. Ofoedu clarified that his analysis was undertaken as an academic exercise with the aim of benefiting his students, rather than for any particular legal or political purpose.
The witness emphasized that he did not receive any payment for conducting the analysis.
He further stated that he was subpoenaed to present the outcome of his analysis as evidence since his original intention was not to utilize the report for election litigation purposes.
However, the witness stood by his assertion that out of the 18,088 result sheets that INEC uploaded concerning the presidential contest, a significant number of them were blurred or lacked clarity.
The court adjourned the proceedings and scheduled further hearings on the matter to take place on Monday.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
ALSO READ: ‘I Didn’t Mean It Literally’ — Nyesom Wike Clears Air as Atiku Abubakar Fires Back
“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
ALSO READ: “APC Failure in Disguise?” — Dickson Tears Into ADC Coalition
Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
SEE MORE: 2027: Why ADC, Opposition Leaders Stormed INEC in Abuja
Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.
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