Politics
S’Court Dismisses LP, PDP Appeals, Upholds Uzodinma’s Election As Imo Gov
The Supreme Court has dismissed separate appeals by the Labour Party (LP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
The apex court rejected the appeals filed by the LP candidate, Athan Achonu, and the PDP candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, due to a lack of merit.
Read Also:JUST IN: NELFUND Receives ₦50bn Recovered Proceeds Of Crime
The court upheld Uzodinma’s election, affirming the decisions of the Imo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court, both of which had dismissed the petitions earlier.
Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the LP and PDP candidates failed to prove allegations of over-voting and other electoral malpractices in the November 11, 2023, election.
Governor Uzodinma praised the Supreme Court’s ruling, describing it as well-researched and dedicating the legal victory to the people of Imo State.
He said, “A few hours ago, the Supreme Court confirmed me as the duly elected Governor of Imo State, arising from the November 11th, 2023 governorship election.
“It is, therefore, with a heart full of gratitude that I thank God Almighty for granting me another victory after I had also emerged victorious at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal
“I express my gratitude to the Supreme Court for upholding the law despite the barrage of blackmail and intimidation by those who wanted sentiments to obfuscate justice.
“When Imo people overwhelmingly reelected me last year as their governor, it was simply based on my sterling performance, which remains unprecedented in the modern history of the state.
“During my second tenure inauguration, I pledged to serve them with renewed vigour, with honesty and transparency and accountability and with the fear of God.
“Today, with this Supreme Court victory, which I dedicate to all Imo people, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, I rededicate myself to the service of the good people of Imo state.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refused to sign the peace accord for the upcoming Edo State Governorship election, scheduled for September 21.
Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar announced this decision on Thursday at the signing event in Benin.
Abubakar revealed that the PDP would only agree to sign the accord if certain conditions were met.
Related News: Edo Gov Accuses Police Of Bias, Threatens To Boycott Peace Accord
He said, “I met the governor yesterday and he told me the PDP are not going to sign this peace accord.
“They had made some observations and I was expecting the chairman of the PDP to come and make that statement, having waited for him this long he chose to announce that the PDP said they are not going to sign and they have got some conditionalities.
“They said that after these conditionalities have been met, they will come to Abuja and sign.”
The chairman of the PDP in the state was absent from the event and did not provide details on why the party chose not to sign the accord.
Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki had previously suggested that the PDP might not sign the peace accord during a meeting with the National Peace Committee on Wednesday.
While the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, opted not to sign, other parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, as well as the Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, did endorse the accord.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed strong reservations about the impartiality of the police in the lead-up to the elections, citing a pattern of bias towards the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aggression against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Receiving General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Chairman of the National Peace Committee, at the Government House, Obaseki alleged that the police have arrested at least 10 high-ranking PDP officials, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon. Collins Aigbogun, who was detained and transported to Abuja.
Read Also: BBNaija S9: We Will Share Shaun – Toke Makinwa To Wanni
The governor claimed that his requests for due process and local handling of the matter were disregarded, undermining his authority as Chief Security Officer of the state.
He also mentioned that two petitions to the Inspector General of Police regarding the harassment of PDP leaders have gone unaddressed.
Obaseki questioned the feasibility of entering a peace accord with an umpire that has demonstrated clear bias towards one party.
He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained PDP officials, insisting that they be charged in Benin City courts if necessary.
This development may lead to the PDP boycotting the scheduled Peace Accord signing on September 12, 2024.
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) has come under fire for allocating funds to unrelated projects in its 2024 budget.
According to an investigation by civic-tech non-profit organization BudgIT, CRIN has earmarked N250 million for solar street lights in select areas of Lagos, sparking concerns over the institute’s priorities.
Read More: Naira Recovers Against Dollar, Gains N81 In 24hrs
Further scrutiny of CRIN’s budget expenditure reveals a plethora of unrelated capital projects, including training and empowerment programs in Ondo state (N148.7 million), health center construction in Ondo (N100 million), empowerment materials for women and youths in Rivers state (N100 million), women and youth empowerment in Kano (N200 million), classroom renovations in Rivers state (N200 million), empowerment materials and motorcycles in Osun (N100 million), and solar street lights in Lagos (N250 million).
This controversy comes on the heels of allegations by Senator Abdul Ningi, chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion in the national assembly.
Ningi was suspended for three months over the claim but was recalled on May 28.
The revelations have sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability in CRIN’s budget allocation, with many questioning the institute’s priorities and commitment to its core mandate of cocoa research.
BREAKING: Ronaldo Hits Billion Followers On Social Platforms
Backlash Hits Bauchi Lawmaker’s Wife For ‘Empowering’ Youths With Sugarcane
Gov Alia Appoints Benue’s First Female SSG
FG Implements Cape Town Convention To Cut Airline Costs
Nollywood Filmmaker Shina Sanyaolu Is Dead
Comedian Basketmouth Goes Public With New Lover[VIDEO]
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
