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Tribunal dismiss PDP Cases against Oshiomhole, Ihonvbere

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FROM Our Correspondent

National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin, on Monday, upheld the declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as winner of the February 25, 2023 Edo North Senatorial District election

The Tribunal also upheld the election of Hon. Ihonvbere Onozuanvbo Julius, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the member representing Owan Federal Constituency.

A three-man tribunal led by Justice O.A. Chuioke dismissed a petition filed by a former senator Francis Alimikhena, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP), on the February 25 election for lack of merit

Alimikhena, through his counsel, Rasak Isenalume, Esq had petitioned the former governor of the state Adams Oshiomhole alongside with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and All Progressives Congress (APC), Suit NO: EPT/ED/SEN/02/2023.

The 1st petitioner Alimikhena, in his petition asked the tribunal to declared non and void the election of the 2nd Respondent Oshiomhole over non compliance with the provisions of the electoral Act, 20222 as required by Law and declare him winner of the election.

He also urged the tribunal to nullified the election of the former APC National Chairman on the alleged ground of non transmission of election results through the use of BIVAS machine to IREV Portal

Alimikhena, on the alternative prayed the tribunal to order for a rerun of the election owing to what he described as the non substantially compliance with the law.

But in their separate responses, counsels to the respondents urged the tribunal to dismiss the case of the petitioners for lack of merit

Delivering the unanimous judgement on behalf of the tribunal Chairman, Justice Alero Akeredolu, held that the petitioners failed woefully to proved their case, adding that they can not rely on weakness or strength of the respondents to prove their cases against Oshiomhole.

Justice Akeredolu also held that the petitioners also failed to tender before the tribunal any relevant document to prove a case of non compliance as contained in their petitions.

The Tribunal, however, dismissed the petition against Oshiomhole in it entirety

Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to the petitioners, Rasak Isenalume, expressed appreciation for the conduct of the case, disclosing that the tribunal came to a conclusion that the petition has no merit and dismissed the case with reasons.

Responding also, Counsel to Oshiomhole, represented by Famous Osawaru Esq. said that “they (petitioners) were not able to establish non compliance and the judges were able to cover all the areas.

“They called just one witness and closed their case and we didn’t bother to over flog the court but to argue on the point of law. It is a victory for democracy”

Earlier, the Tribunal also dismissed the petition filed by Jimoh Iruokhaime Ijiegbai Ojeiu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against the INCE declaration of Ihonvbere as winner of the Owan Federal Constituency.

The tribunal also agreed with the argument of the lead counsel to Ihonvbere Mr Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), that Ojeiu’s petition failed in it entirety.

Ojeiu and the PDP are 1st and 2nd petitioners in the petition marked EPT/ED/HR/03/2023.

Reacting to the over two hours judgement, Counsel to the 1st Petitioners, Rasak Isenalume, Esq, told our Correspendent that: “As lawyers, our duty is to present the case as it is and back it up with relevant laws.

“So, it is for the tribunal to decide you, know we cannot change the law. All sides must have their positions and we canvassed ours eloquently. But the tribunal has come with its decision.

“Well, like I told the tribunal, we will await further instructions from our clients as there is a further step to go.

“Most of this case we are citing today, they were cases done at the tribunal and reversed at the court of Appeal and affirmed by the Supreme Court”

But Counsel to Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, 2nd Respondent, Famous Osawaru, who held brief for West-Idahosa, SAN, described the judgement as master class, meticulously written, articulately delivered and a victory for the people of Owan Federal Constituency

He maintained that the tribunal dismissed the petition following the inability of the petitioners to prove the issues of over voting as alleged in their petition.

“They could not proved the elements to establish over votes in the election”, he said

On his part, Counsel to the respondent, the APC Victor Asumwan, esq said: “We are glad with the judgement and it is a reaffirmation of the decision of the electorates in Owan east and West Constituency when they voted massively for APC

“The tribunal has affirmed the position of the law that for one to prove over voting, there are certain requirements of the law you must meet.

“The petitioners obviously woefully failed to meet those provisions’, he averred.

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Tinubu Assures Investors Nigeria Is Open for Business, Welcomes Coca-Cola’s $1bn Plan

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By Francis Wilfred 

President Bola Tinubu has assured local and international investors that Nigeria remains open for business, saying his administration is implementing reforms aimed at creating a more predictable, competitive and investment-friendly environment.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in Abuja on Monday, the President said the government is addressing key challenges facing businesses under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our message to investors, both Nigerian and international, is clear: Nigeria is open for business,” Tinubu said,

He noted that reliable infrastructure, efficient logistics, access to foreign exchange, stable regulations and a supportive tax system are critical to attracting investment and expanding production.

According to Yomi Odunuga, the President said ongoing economic reforms are designed to build a more productive and competitive economy, reduce dependence on imports, strengthen local manufacturing and create jobs for Nigerians.

Tinubu welcomed the Coca-Cola System’s proposed $1 billion investment in Nigeria over five years, announced in 2024, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy. 

He said the administration is focused not only on the volume of investment attracted but also on its impact on employment, skills development, technology transfer and local sourcing.

“We are interested not only in the amount of capital that comes into Nigeria, but in what that capital does here,” he said.

The President also praised NBC’s continued expansion of production capacity, including new production lines in Oyo and Kano states, describing such investments as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving policies, infrastructure and regulations to support businesses, while urging the private sector to complement government efforts through investment, innovation and job creation.

Tinubu further highlighted the importance of human capital development, commending NBC’s Supply Chain Academy for training over 1,400 young Nigerians and supporting women’s empowerment and community development initiatives.

He urged investors to take advantage of opportunities across Nigeria, expressing confidence that the country can build a stronger economy driven by local production, exports and globally competitive industries.

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Kano  Governorship: Accord Party Governorship Candidate Gashash Getting More Endorsement From Kano Electorates.

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By Jabiru Hassan.


The movement for Democratic Protection and good governance (MDSG) declared it's full support to the Accord Party Governorship Candidate Ambassador Dr. Mukhtar Gashash in the forthcoming general elections.

In a chat with our correspondent in kano, the national president of the movement, Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali,  stated that it is time for the people of kano state to bring new steward who is seriously planning to transform the state with highest regard.

He expressed his confidence that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash will do his best to ensure that kano state becomes more examplary at both sector without bias which is the task previous administrators failed to achieve.

Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali reiterated that " this time around, our movement is working day and night to make sure that Kano people mostly youths remained Committed to actualize real change in the state's politics, leadership and transformation under the Accord Party government".

He called on the people of kano state especially the eligible voters to vote Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash due to his Transformation plans for the progress of kano state and it's citizens at both Urban and rural settlements.

Responding to a question about Accord party's strength in kano state, Dauda Mohammed Ali disclosed that in today's democracy, competent candidates should be tipped for an elective positions not the popularity of the political parties stressing that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash has been found to be the best option for kano state due to his track record on competency, transparency as a real democrat.
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Caught in the middle: Ortom’s silent dance between two camps.

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There are growing questions about where Mr. Samuel Ortom, a former Governor of Benue State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), truly stands politically ahead of 2027.

Ortom was a key figure in the divisions within the PDP before the 2023 general elections and was widely associated with support for Mr. Peter Obi, who finished third in that contest. More recently, however, he has publicly expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The latest discussion began after a visit by Mr. Peter Obi to Benue State. Reports indicate that a vehicle said to belong to Ortom was used to receive Obi at the Air Force Base airport in Makurdi. It is not clear who authorized the use of the vehicle, and Ortom has not commented publicly on the matter.

During the same visit, Obi was reportedly prevented from travelling to Yelewata, where he had intended to condole with families affected by violence. Obi’s team attributed the blockage to supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The Governor’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, denied any involvement by the Governor. He suggested the incident may have been staged to damage the Governor’s reputation, or that it could have resulted from disagreements within Obi’s own support base.

Ortom has not issued a statement clarifying his position on the 2027 elections or on the vehicle in question. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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