AMUWO ODOFIN : GEORGE OLAWANDE’S ELECTION UPHELD AS SANUSI AIMS TO APPEAL TRIBUNAL JUDGEMENT
The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos has dismissed the election petition filed against the member representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, George Olawande of the Labour Party.
Prince Lanre A. Sanusi (PLS) who is the All Progressives Congress (APC), House of Representative Candidate had challenged the declaration of his Labour Party opponent as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting George and his party did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, hence, do not stand qualified to contest in the election.
Delivering the judgement, the three-man panel did not agree with the petitioner that the candidate of the Labour Party was not qualified to contest the elections.
Members of the panel were Justice A. B. Abdullahi, Justice Okon A. Okon and Justice Esther Nnenna Alukwu.
However, Sanusi in a statement on Wednesday urged his supporters to maintain calm as he vowed to consult his lawyers and exercise his rights to appeal the judgment within the stipulated days.
“While I am waiting for my team of lawyers to give me full details on the judgment, I urge all my supporters to be calm and peaceful, as their mandate is not lost. I verily know that I have the option of appeal at the Court of Appeal, which I shall exercise after due consultation with my lawyers. I urge my supporters not to be disturbed but to believe that we will get it right.”
In similar vein last month, the Lagos State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, sacked Hon Sowunmi, member representing Ojo Federal Constituency replacing him with Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi.
In the case against Olawande, recall that the Labour Party Star Witness , Hon George Olawande was physically present at the Tribunal as a star witness in the ongoing suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two other political party challenging the process which led to emergence of Olawande as LP candidate
The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Abayomi Arabambi has faulted the candidature of the Amuwo-Odofin House of Representatives member-elect, Mr Olawande George, describing the process that churned him out as shambolic.
Arabambi who subpoenaed to unravel some shaddy discovery at th Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja Lagos that was never among the candidates sponsored by the Labour Party for the February 25th election.
A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale revealed that President Tinubu Advised Ambassador Molly to ensure that U.S. policy is intentionally collaborative with independent African democracies at a time when they are under assault by anti-democratic forces within and outside of the continent.
The President noted that American-backed development finance and multilateral institutions, which were designed to support war-torn Europe after World War II, require swift and comprehensive reform to meet the developmental requirements of younger democracies in Africa, which operate in authoritarian-crowded environments, such that the legitimate yearnings of Africans would no longer be manipulated to serve the narrow aims of self-seeking demagogues through unconstitutional takeovers of power.
“Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them, but the U.S. Government must be innovative in its thinking and systematically create incentives for U.S. industrial investment in Nigeria. Under my leadership, Nigeria stands ready to address their specific regulatory, tax and environmental concerns. I am determined to create prosperity for all Nigerian families,” the President declared.
The Nigerian leader affirmed that the crisis in Niger Republic would not deter him from concluding his economic reform programme successfully for the benefit of Nigerians and that he takes a queue from no nation, but will only advance the interest of the Nigerian state in his approach toward ECOWAS’ handling of the regional standoff.
“We know there is more we can do to incentivize large-scale American investment in Nigeria and we are committed to working closely with you to achieve that, as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian economy and the regional economy. We appreciate your willingness to create an enabling environment for that. President Joe Biden is asking to meet with you on the sidelines of UNGA and you are the only African leader he has requested to meet. It is a mark of his high regard for your leadership,” the U.S. Special Envoy said.
The President that the work of perfecting democracy is never done, even in developed democracies, as seen recently in America, as well as other emerging democracies in the world.
President Bola Tinubu has finally unveiled the list of his ministerial nominees. Out of the 28 names sent, seven of them are women.
This indicates that women currently represent 25 per cent of the ministerial nominees.
Betta Edu, the national women leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is the youngest nominee. She is 36 years old.
Uju Ohanenye, APC’s sole female presidential candidate in the June 2022 presidential primaries, also made the list. She stepped down for Tinubu at primaries.
Stella Okotete, the executive director (Business Development) at the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, made the list.
Here is a list of nominated female ministers and a brief profile:
HANNATU MUSAWA
Hannatu Musa Musawa from Katsina state is the recently-appointed special adviser on culture and entertainment economy. She is the daughter of the late Katsina politician Musa Musawa.
She studied Law at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom; and holds Master’s degrees in the Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs from the University of Cardiff, Wales; and Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
She is also a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, UK, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
BETTA EDU
Medical Doctor, Public Health Specialist, Harvard certified, MSc. London school (LSHTM), PHD Texila, politician, philanthropist, Godlover, Technocrat.
Betta Edu is from Cross River state and the youngest among the ministerial nominees. She is the national women’s leader of the All Progressive Congress and a former commissioner of health in Cross River state.
Dr Betta Chimaobim Edu (born October 27, 1986) is a result-oriented health policy and management expert with over twelve years’ professional experience building and leading teams in visioning, developing, and implementing life-saving health policies and programmes at national and state levels. Widely identified as one of the youngest politicians in Nigeria, she is best known for her works and revolutionary contributions in the health care system through innovation, prominent personality, purposeful leadership, and integrity.
In 2020, she became chairman of the Cross River State COVID-19 Taskforce.
In August 2022, she was appointed National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.
Dr Betta Chimaobim Edu, upon return to Nigeria completed her First school leaving Certificate and Common entrance in 1995 at Charles Walker International Nursery and Primary school. She further went on to have her secondary education at Federal Government Girls College, Calabar in 2001 where she obtained her West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate. In 2009, she proceeded to complete her first degree in medicine and surgery (MBBCh) from the, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria to help people.
STELLA OKOTETE
Executive Director (Business Development) Nigeria Export – Import Bank Co Founder E’Girls Right Foundation, Politician, Banker, Philanthropist.
Okotete is the executive director (Business Development) at the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank. She is 39 years old.
Okotete, undoubtedly, possesses the required qualification, experience and all that it takes to head any export agency in the world, having served as Executive Director of NEXIM Bank for five years.
A public administrator and business development specialist, Okotete’s antecedents in demonstrating high level proficiency in enhancing organizational growth in the various capacities she has served in public offices are phenomenal.
As a member of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm from 2008 to 2011 when she served as Chairman, House Committee on Education, Okotete oversaw functions and activities associated with the State Government Free Education Programme in Agbarho, Ughelli, Orogun, Ogor, Agbarha, Evwreni and Uwheru, all in the council area.
Born on April 20, 1984, Okotete, who hails from Ekrerhavwen-Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, attended the Federal Government Girls College Benin- City, Edo State where she obtained her Senior School Certificate in 2000.
She thereafter proceeded to the Rivers State College of Art and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt where she obtained a Diploma in Law in 2002.
In her quest to further her education, Okotete attended Benson Idahosa University, Benin-City where she bagged a Bachelor of Art in International Studies and Diplomacy in 2006 and a Certificate, Emerging Leaders from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, USA 2012.
UJU KENNEDY OHANENYE
In the last presidential election, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye from Anambra state was the only female presidential aspirant of the APC, who later stepped down for the President at the primaries.
DORIS UZOKA-ANITE
Doris is a career banker with over 20 years of experience at Zenith Bank, Nigeria. Despite studying medicine at the University of Benin, she pivoted into banking in 2002.
Uzoka-Anite was a former commissioner for finance and coordinating economy in Imo state. She holds some financial certificates from Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Anite is a medical doctor by profession and holds a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter, specializing in Financial Risk Management and Portfolio Management.
In 2002, she made a career shift to the banking industry, rising to become the General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc and later becoming the youngest commissioner under Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
During her tenure as a commissioner, Dr. Uzoka was in charge of various critical functions at Zenith Bank, including Fixed Income and Currency Trading, Asset and Liability Management, Treasury Corporate Sales, and Financial Institutions.
She was responsible for the bank’s investment strategy, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and managing risks.
Her banking career began in the Human Resources and Training department, and she later transitioned to Treasury in 2011.
She successfully handled roles in trading Fixed Income and Currencies, and eventually became the Treasurer of the bank.
Driven by her goal-oriented and customer-centric approach, Dr. Uzoka’s outstanding performance significantly contributed to the bank’s profitability, earning her several accolades and promotions within the organization.
Apart from her financial acumen, Dr. Uzoka possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, which she acquired through her human resources training. These skills have been instrumental in managing the diverse local and international relationships required in her role.
NKEIRUKA ONYEJEOCHA
Onyejocha was a House of Representatives member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia State.
She was first elected in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), then Nigeria’s ruling party. Onyejeocha defected to the APC in 2018 after intense pressure from her former party leaders to drop her ambition for a return ticket to the house.
Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejocha born 23 November 1969 is a Nigerian politician and a ranking lawmaker in Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives. Constituency Kolonu Isuikwato / Umunneochi Federal Constituency Political party, All Progressives Congress, APC.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the lasting solution to the lingering disagreement between owners of petroleum tank farms in Ijegun-Egba, Amuwo Odofin and the host community is for the Federal Government’s regulatory agencies to co-operate with the state’s agencies in addressing environmental degradation in the area.
He added that the tank farm owners and oil tanker drivers must subscribe to operational regulations that limit the loading of tankers beyond their weight capacities.
Sanwo-Olu said the agitation by members of the host-community for the relocation of the tank farms might be far from being over if stakeholders fail to come to the discussion table and work collaboratively.
The governor spoke yesterday at the State House, Marina, when he received in audience members of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Relocation of Tank Farms constituted by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the mandate to investigate the matter and give recommendations.
Sanwo-Olu said the regeneration of Ijegun-Egba was as important to the community residents as smooth transportation of petroleum products was important to the tank farm owners.
He said the nation could not afford to allow the host community’s agitation to hinder the operations of the tank farms, which he said, supply 45 per cent of petroleum products consumed in the country.
The governor disclosed that the state government had come up with a new design for the regeneration of the area, but added that the efforts could not be rolled out because federal stakeholders had not agreed with the regeneration plan.
He said the stakeholders must fashion out ways to achieve efficient enforcement of the operational guidelines for oil tankers plying the area, pointing out that any intervention initiated without keeping the oil tankers within the confines of approved haulage capacity would yield no result.
The governor, who described the committee’s mission as “important national assignment,” lauded Gbajabiamila for prioritising the issue after the motion calling for assessment of the tank farms’ activities was moved in the House by member representing Amuwo-Odofin, Oghere Egoh.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has the winner of the 2023 governorship election held in the state on Saturday.
Sanwo-Olu scored 762,134 to defeat both the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidates, Rhodes-Vivour, and his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor – they polled 312,329 and 62,449 respectively.
The incumbent governor polled the highest votes in Ikeja, Apapa, Badagry, Lagos Island, Epe, Agege, Ibeju-lekki, Kosofe, Surulere, and Somolu.
Other areas, where the governor won big include Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, Ojo, Ikorodu, Mushin and Oshodi.
Declaring Sanwo-Olu the winner of the election, the INEC’s state Collation/Returning Officer, and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA), Ondo State, Prof Adenike Temidayo Oladiji said: “I declare that the governorship candidate of the APC, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, having satisfied the requirements of the law by scoring 25 per cent in two-third of the local government areas in the state, and also scoring the highest number of valid votes cast is hereby declared winner and returned elected.” Reacting to the result, Chairman of the LP in Lagos State and LP agent at the collation centre, Mrs. Dayo Ekong, rejected the result. While reciting the second stanza of the national anthem, she described the whole electoral process as a sham, saying, “This is an election that is laced with violence, and people were massively disenfranchised. The INEC has lowered its standard and Labour Party totally rejects the results.” Bellow are break down of the final results: A – 800 AA- 904 AAC – 627 ADC- 6078 ADP- 2833 APC- 762134 APL – 884 APP- 259 BP- 616 LP- 312329 NNPP- 1583 NRM- 340 PDP- 62449 SDP- 1746 YPP- 461 ZLP- 1635
Former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has lost his reelection bid in Enugu East Senatorial district to Labour Party candidate, Sir Kelvin Chukwu.
The LP candidate polled 69, 136 to beat Chimaroke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 48, 701 votes.
Kelvin replaced his brother, Oyibo Chukwu, who was murdered a few days before the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Sir Kelvin Chukwu is the younger brother of Oyibo Chukwu who was murdered days before the 2023 Presidential election.
Chimaroke Nnamani is a medical doctor and politician from Enugu State, Nigeria.
He was born on May 30th, 1960, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Chimaroke Nnamani is 62 years as of 2022.
The medical doctor cum politician previously served as the governor of Enugu state from 1999 until 2007. After the expiration of his tenure as a governor in 2007, he became a member of the Nigerian Senate till 2011. He was reelected as a senator in 2019.
Chimaroke Nnamani is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Denying the report which emanated from another media house, the party’s Spokesperson, Okey Ezeala described the reports as the handiwork of the People’s Democratic Party. According to a terse statement signed by Ezeala the party distanced itself from the report stating that there is no iota of truth in it describing the report as false.
Ezeala said that the malicious write up is occasioned by the PDP’s fright to accept tomorrow’s imminent defeat. According to the spokesman, “Senator Orji Uzor Kalu remains the candidate of our great party as both the party and his constituents are satisfied with his performance.”
On the allegation of anti-party activities and other offenses, the party labelled the accusations as entirely false, stating that Orji Kalu has always remained a committed member of the party and its progress.
The party’s Spokesperson added that there is no record of Orji Kalu campaigning against any of its candidates nor has the Senate Chief Whip campaigned for any other political candidate besides those of the APC.
The party urged its faithfuls and the general public to disregard the report and head to their various polling units to cast their votes for its candidates.
It would be recalled that some news carried a news report that Senator Kalu was sacked from the ruling party barely 24 hours from the Saturday general elections.
The letter was said to have been signed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Paul Nwabuisi; State Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah, and the State Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu.
It noted that Kalu, who had been at loggerheads with many APC chieftains in Abia, “has remained unrepentant and without remorse despite several warnings.”
APC explained that Kalu’s suspension came after “thorough investigations and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee set up by the Igbere Ward A in Bende Local Government of Abia State.”
The Abia APC leadership further stated that Kalu’s suspension was in consonance with Article 21B(i-v) of the APC Constitution, which he violated.
The letter read in part: “You are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Let me just explain what happened to you in the simplest of ways.
1) The BVAS is truly a game changer and should ordinarily be above manipulation.
2) The BVAS ascertains or validates voters’ identity, and it is mandatory prior to voting. Every voter must be BVASed before they are issued with a ballot to vote. In short, BVAS accredits voters.
3) After elections, the results are then collated and entered manually on INEC form EC8As. However, the number of voters on INEC Form EC8A must never exceed the number of accredited voters on BVAS. That’s over-voting and automatic cancellation under the EA 2022.
4) When a winner was declared by INEC in Osun elections, it was assumed by all that the BVAS and Form EC8As tallied. It was thought that Adeleke won and Oyetola lost.
5) APC applied for the BVAS report and Form EC8AS to file their petition days after the winner was declared.
6) APC in preparing their Petition found discrepancies between BVAS report and FORM EC8As in over 700 polling units. The votes recorded on Form EC8As literally exceeded what the BVAS accredited. There was over-voting by people who must have literally bypassed the BVAS either for not having PVCs or other dubious reasons.
7) Once INEC, PDP, and the Governor were served with the APC Petition, they all filed their responses and added/pleaded another entirely different BVAS report, which INEC now DUBIOUSLY called a “SYNCHRONISED BVAS Report.”
7) So, there were two BVAS reports before the Tribunal. The one issued to APC before they filled their petition and the one issued to PDP during the pendency of the petition.
8) At the Tribunal, each party strove hard to prove which BVAS was credible and which was not. The Tribunal then had to decide that….
Now, you please be the judge. Which of the two conflicting BVAS does your conscience, if functional, say is credible? The first one that was used to declare a winner on the elections day or the other “SYNCHRONISED BVAS” that was issued to PDP and co almost 30 days after a winner was already declared and during the pendency of the Petition of the APC???
What does your functional conscience say?
I think INEC National should be grateful to APC/Oyetola/Osun for helping them expose the manipulation that dubious politicians can subject the BVAS to. Plus, voters must now know that bypassing the BVAS is not helpful. Everyone must be accredited by the BVAS to be eligible to vote.
,The justices ordered that the name of Ms Binani be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the flag bearer for the election.
Aishatu Binani has emerged as the winner of the APC governorship primary election, becoming the first woman to win the governorship ticket of a major political party.
The Yola Division of the Court of Appeal has declared Senator Aishatu Binani as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state.Presided over by Justices Tani Hassan, Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf and James Abundaga respectively, the court set aside the judgement of a Federal High Court which nullified the governorship primary and declared that APC has no candidate for the 2023 governorship election.
The justices ordered that the name of Ms Binani be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the flag bearer for the election.The Federal High Court 1 sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, presided over by Justice A.M. Anka, has voided the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, which produced the Senator representing Adamawa Central, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, as the governorship candidate of the party for the 2023 elections.Justice Anka said the party has no governorship candidate for 2023 elections in the State, as he did not order for a fresh primary election.Recall that Binani during the primary election conducted on May 27, 2022, polled 430 votes to defeat her closest rival, Nuhu Ribadu, who got 288 votes; former governor Umaru Bindow scored 103 votes; Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas got 94 votes, while Safari Theman scored 21 votes and Umar Mustapha got 39.
The court also said the party would not participate in the 2023 gubernatorial election and consequently cautioned Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani from parading herself as the APC gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State.
IKORODU 1: OPPOSITION WITHIN BEHIND OGUNLEYE’S CERTIFICATE SCANDAL
The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023, Ikorodu Constituency 1 elections, Mr Gbolahan Ogunleye is currently been burdened by the need to prove his claims as having graduated from the Lagos State University, Ojo.
Gbolahan who is the son of the APC Apex leader in Ikorodu Division and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye has submitted as part of his credential claims to INEC declaring to have graduated from LASU, a claim which is currently enmeshed in counter claims by some persons due to the assumed discrepancies in the multiple correspondence received from the apex citadel of learning in Lagos State.
Push News 24 International reports that LASU issued two documents. One saying Gbolahan Ogunleye never graduated from LASU and signed by the Deputy Registrar who is the Head of Exams and Records, then another saying the same Gbolahan graduated from LASU and wss signed by the Registrar.
Findings by Push News revealed that the matric number in the first letter, is not present in the second letter. Also, the first letter says that, the original certificate should be sent for further investigations.
Further scrutiny also indicated that the second letter shows, there is a reference to a new letter that was written again, to clarify things.
Gbolahan receiving his INEC forms from Party Secretary, Hon Sunmi Odesanya
Amidst all these are reactions from several persons and interested parties.
A key members of the Oga Group who do not want his name on prints said there could have been an administrative flaw on the part of the School but the issues is been blown out of proportion by political opponents within the APC particularly in Ikorodu Central.
Asimiyu Lawal a member of the APC in Ikorodu Central says “this is a distraction by failed and desperate politicians who are bent on subduing the will of the people to choose their preferred candidate.”
An academician by the name Soji Kaseem in his twitter handle said “perhaps, the database of LASU of year 2000 is not the same as the one they use now. So, it could be that, the records were not easily found”.
According to him ” the first letter didn’t provide much details outside of the matric number. The certificate would have been responsible for aiding things.”
A lecturer, who is also a key member of the party in Ikorodu said “The Management of the School Authority (LASU) need to further investigate the matter and issue a clarification notice to the general public. If not such conflicting letters is capable of denting the image of the School. This is a serious matter.”
Mr Asaolu also posited that “This is simply a politically motivated scandal and blemish emanating from the prestigious- reverred citadel of learning.”
One of the leaders of APC in Ikorodu West LCDA who is also a strong suppoter of Ogunleye said ” there is no issue here, even though the first letter written by the registrar in June said there is no record of the fellow graduating from the school, he gave a caveat asking that the fellow visits the head of exams and record with his documents in order for them to be able to conclude the verification and I believe this is what was done and subsequently resulting in exams and records issuing an updated letter in July maybe after they have validated his claims. The registrar clearly insinuated that his letter was not final on the case. It might just the problem of administrative issues in the university”.
While there have been several reactions within the ruling All Progressives Congress pundits have it that if the crises is not properly managed the party may play into the hands of the opposition.
Efforts to reach Hon Gbalahon Ogunleye to hear his own side have not yielded much results as the controversy continues, it is generally believed that the burden of proof is domiciled with the apex institution.
Push News 24 International reports that Hon Gbolahan Ogunleye and his Oga Campaign Group have rained unshaken and they concluded its a mere distraction expected in politics which will soon pass away as the perpetrators making false media claims have been extended the olive branch.
OGA as he is fondly called defeated ither aspirants including the Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade, who has represented the constituency for almost 16 years. Agunbiade was seeking a fifth return to the Lagos State House of Assembly in a keenly contested primaries.
The primary was held at Ikorodu West Local Council Developmental Area (LCDA) secretariat in Ogolonto
“After the sorting and counting of votes, Gbolahan Ogunleye scored 38 votes, Gafar Bolowotan scored 16 votes, Bolaji Isikalu score one vote while Hon. Sanai Agunbiade scored no vote.” according to the returning Officer.
The Local Government party chairman Mr Waheed Animashaun, commended the electoral process, saying that it was free and fair.
