Politics
PEPT: Court Admits Video Clips As Evidence In Peter Obi’s Petition
The Presidential Election Petition Court has accepted two video clips presented by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as evidence in their petition against the conduct and results of the presidential election held on February 25.
During the hearing on Friday evening, the petitioners’ lawyer, Jubril Okutekpa, SAN, informed the court that they had issued a subpoena to Channels Television to produce the recordings found on two flash drives.
During the proceedings, Okutekpa revealed that two separate subpoenas, dated May 30 and June 6, had been served on Channels Television stating that a representative from the TV station had been sent to present the requested evidence.
The five-member panel, headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani, accepted the subpoenas as evidence and designated them as Exhibits PBH-1 and PBH-2.
One of the flash drives contains video clips of an interview featuring the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu, prior to the general elections assuring that the election results would be transmitted electronically in real-time.
The second flash drive consists of a press conference delivered by Festus Okoye, a national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to electronically transmitting the election results.
To present the video clips’ content in the courtroom, Lucky Obese-Alawode, a senior reporter and editor from Channels Television, was called to the witness box.
However, the respondents in the petition strongly opposed the petitioners’ action.
Akin Olujinmi, SAN, the counsel representing President Bola Tinubu, raised concerns about the competence of the witness, stating that his statement had not been filed alongside the initial petition.
Referring to Paragraphs 4 (5) and (6) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022, Tinubu’s lawyer argued that the law clearly stipulates that a petition must be filed within 21 days following the declaration of the election result.
He asserted that the petitioners should have included all the necessary documents and a list of witnesses supporting their case when filing the petition.
Tinubu lawyer said “A petition which fails to comply shall not be accepted, that is what the law says. My lords, it was after the proceeding started today that the statement of this witness was served on us.
“This is over three months after the declaration of the result of the election was made. This witness was not listed by the petitioners, and his statement was not attached to the petition. To that extent, he is not a competent witness who can testify before this court”
He further argued that the petitioners were well aware of their intention to rely on the aforementioned video recordings when they initially filed the petition, yet failed to include them in the list of their documents.
Supporting Olujinmi’s objection, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, the lawyer representing INEC, expressed agreement that Obi and the Labour Party should have listed the proposed evidence in their petition.
However, the petitioners’ counsel, Okutekpa, SAN, argued that the witness was indeed competent to testify as the subpoena served on Channels Television was a court order that he had no control over.
Despite the objections raised, the panel decided to admit the two flash drives as evidence and designated them as Exhibits PBH-3 and PBH-4.
Subsequently, when the petitioners’ counsel requested for the video clips from the flash drives to be played in the courtroom, the respondents expressed their disagreement, with the exception of the electoral commission, which remained indifferent.
Olujimi reiterated that his client had not been provided with a copy of the flash drive.
He further argued that playing the video clips without his clients being aware of their content could potentially deprive them of the right to a fair hearing.
He said, “This case is not hide and seek. We are entitled to be served with a copy so that we can know the content and be able to prepare. Until we are served, we will oppose allowing it to be played.
Solomon Umoh, SAN, the counsel representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed his view that playing the content of the flash drives without prior service on the respondents would be an ambush on their part.
In his ruling, Justice Tsammani, the chairman of the five-member panel, stated that the respondents’ objection was not based on prejudice against playing the video clips, but rather on the lack of prior service.
However, due to time constraints, Justice Tsammani adjourned the proceedings to Saturday afternoon, June 10, to allow for the video clips to be played in the courtroom.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate disclosure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status following his absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The NDC made the demand in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Monday, September 28, 2026, expressing what it described as “profound disappointment and grave concern” over Tinubu’s absence from the gathering of world leaders.
ALSO READ: ‘Where Is Nigeria’s President?’ — Obi Questions Tinubu’s Third Straight UNGA Absence
According to the party, this marks the third consecutive time since Tinubu assumed office in 2023 that the President has failed to attend UNGA in person.
The NDC said Nigerians had for weeks been told by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, that President Tinubu would attend the General Assembly and would be seated close to United States President Donald Trump.
The party, however, said the Presidency announced on September 20 that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been “mandated” to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
The NDC also questioned Tinubu’s reported extended stay in Europe, saying the President left Nigeria on August 30 and extended his stay in Paris indefinitely.
The party alleged that the President had spent more than three weeks outside the country on what it described as a “so-called vacation” without formally transmitting power.
The NDC described the situation as “unpresidential, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” arguing that the country had been left without the President physically present in Nigeria and without the President attending the UNGA.
NDC Raises Constitutional Questions
The party cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
The NDC alleged that Tinubu did not formally transmit such a declaration during his extended absence.
The party questioned why, in its words, the President was “always afraid” of transmitting a written declaration to the National Assembly.
It further alleged that at one point Nigeria was effectively on “autopilot,” claiming that the President, Vice President and Senate President were all outside the country.
The NDC therefore called for compliance with Section 145 whenever the President is away or unable to perform the functions of his office.
NDC Questions Diplomatic Cost Of UNGA Absence
The party also challenged the significance of Nigeria being represented by the Vice President rather than the President at the UNGA.
The NDC argued that the annual gathering is more than the formal speeches delivered by world leaders, stressing that UNGA provides opportunities for presidents and heads of government to hold bilateral meetings and negotiate issues affecting their countries.
According to the party, such engagements include discussions on foreign direct investment, debt relief, climate finance, global financial reforms and security cooperation.
The NDC claimed that Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level could result in what it described as losses in direct foreign investment engagements, leverage on global financial reform, strategic security partnerships and Nigeria’s international standing.
The party also argued that the development could diminish Nigeria’s position as the “Giant of Africa.”
It maintained that presidential diplomacy cannot simply be outsourced to representatives.
NDC Contrasts Nigeria’s UNGA Presence With Ghana
The NDC further compared Nigeria’s representation at UNGA with the participation of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
The party said Mahama delivered what it described as a “statesmanlike performance” at UNGA 81, addressing issues including Africa’s position on debt justice, climate reparations and restoring trust in multilateralism.
The NDC said that while Ghana commanded attention at the gathering, Nigeria’s presidential seat was empty.
“Mahama spoke for Africa; Nigeria was spoken for,” the party stated.
NDC Criticises 15-Minute Speech Explanation
The party also criticised comments attributed to Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim concerning the duration of a presidential speech at the General Assembly.
The NDC said the argument that President Tinubu could not travel to New York merely “to speak for just 15 minutes” demonstrated, in its view, a misunderstanding of international diplomacy.
According to the party, every world leader is allocated a limited speaking period at the General Assembly, but the importance of UNGA extends beyond the formal speeches.
The NDC argued that the remaining time is used for high-level bilateral engagements, negotiations and diplomatic interactions, describing these activities as the “corridor diplomacy” through which important international decisions are pursued.
The party said the President’s absence therefore meant that Nigeria could not personally participate in those presidential-level engagements.
NDC Issues Three Demands
The NDC called for the immediate disclosure of President Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status.
It also demanded that the President comply with Section 145 of the Constitution whenever he is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.
The party further called for an end to what it described as an “imperial presidency” that treats accountability as an afterthought.
The NDC said Nigeria, with more than 200 million citizens, could not be effectively governed through delegation and press releases.
“A nation of over 200 million people cannot be run by delegation and press release. Nigeria deserves a president who is present,” the statement said.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received political office seekers formerly affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and their supporters from four states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors are from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states.
SEE MORE: 2027: APC Chairman Yilwatda Leads Three-Day Strategic Retreat in Borno
The group, led by Mohammed Hassan Mai Solar and Aslan Aliyu, said their decision to join the ruling APC was influenced by what they described as the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They also cited the political structure of the APC, which they said promotes trust, a level playing field and justice for all.
Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted what he described as major transformations taking place across Northern Nigeria.
Yilwatda pointed to developments in road infrastructure, energy reforms, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various empowerment initiatives as notable programmes of the Tinubu administration.
He urged the new members and their supporters to rally behind the APC, stressing the importance of continuity and progress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election, with its Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, directing officials to identify and close operational gaps ahead of the polls.
Amupitan gave the directive on Monday in Kaduna during the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
SEE MORE: 2023 Election: ‘If Something Fishy Went Down, Ask INEC’ — Gov Sule
The meeting forms part of INEC’s six-zone national readiness assessment aimed at evaluating the Commission’s preparedness, identifying challenges affecting its field operations and developing practical solutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Declaring the North-West zonal engagement open, Amupitan said the exercise was aimed at strengthening the foundations of the country’s electoral process and ensuring that avoidable weaknesses do not undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the success of any election is largely determined at the grassroots, particularly at the Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres and polling units where electoral officials interact directly with voters.
“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman urged staff to use the engagement to present practical challenges confronting election administration in their respective areas and work with the Commission’s headquarters to develop solutions before election day.
He said INEC was building on lessons from recent elections as it prepares for the larger national assignment in 2027.
Amupitan also warned electoral officials against partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that neutrality and professionalism among field personnel would be critical to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
As part of its preparations for the 2027 elections, the Commission is also scheduled to commence Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection on October 9.
Tinubu’s UNGA Absence: NDC Demands President’s Whereabouts, Health Status
NCDMB Retirees Celebrate Local Content Growth from 5% to 61%
2027 Elections: APC Receives ADC Defectors From Four Northern States
Petrol Price Will Drop To ₦400, ₦500 Under Atiku’s Plan — Dino Melaye
UN Secretary-General Race: Shettima Says Nigeria Will Back Equity, Justice and Fairness
2027: INEC Tackles Operational Gaps, Sets October 9 For PVC Collection
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
