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Presidential Election: Legal Practitioner and Social Critic, Inibehe Effiong Urges LP, PDP not to panic over INEC’s objections
A legal practitioner and social critic, Inibehe Effiong has urged people not to panic over objections to admissibility of documents by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the ongoing hearings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, saying
it is a distraction, while claiming that the objected documents by the INEC were duly certified, adding that the Court will act on them.
In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, the legal expert claimed that “the Electoral Commission’s neutrality is a mirage, especially in electoral litigations”.
He alleged that the INEC had basically aligned its defence strategy with the other Respondents, including the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Effiong said, “People should not panic over objections to admissibility of documents by INEC at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. I’m not surprised by INEC’s roguish and embarrassing attitude. These are public documents duly certified. The Court will act on them. It is a distraction.
“Ordinarily, INEC being the maker of the documents which they’ve certified, that is Form EC8 series (polling unit & collation results), they’re not supposed to object to their admissibility.
“I’ve always said that INEC’s neutrality is a mirage, especially in electoral litigations.
“The documents have been admitted, though the Respondents will state the grounds for their objections in their final addresses.
“Typically, the tribunal will look into the documents and act on them.
“As long as the documents have been duly certified, there’s no cause for alarm.
“INEC has basically aligned their defence strategy with the other Respondents (Tinubu, APC and Shettima). They’re working in sync as they always do.”
At the resumed hearing of the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP challenging the election of President Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, counsel to the petitioners, Mr Chris Uche, SAN, said that the team had prepared a second schedule of documents to be tendered.
Some documents the petitioners tendered in evidence through Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, were certified true copies of Form EC8A downloaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from its Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
The Form EC8A was for eight local government areas of Bayelsa, 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, 20 local government areas of Ogun and of 23 local government areas of Kogi.
Form EC8As are sheets used for collection of results at the polling units level.
But counsel to INEC, Mr Kemi Pinhero, SAN, objected to the admissibility of all documents relating to Kogi except for those of five Local Government Areas, namely, Olamaboro, Ofu, Omala, Okehi and Ajaokuta.
He said this was because the five local governments whose documents he did not oppose were specifically pleaded in the petitioners’ pleadings.
Pinhero also objected to the admissibility of the documents relating to the BVAS except for Kogi, Rivers and Sokoto states.
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Meet News Central TV new editorial board members
According to the organisation, the board will oversee editorial policy, guide content strategy, promote investigative reporting and ensure adherence to ethical standards.
News Central TV has inaugurated a new editorial board to “strengthen” independent journalism in the country.
Members of the newly inaugurated board include Femi Oke, an award-winning international journalist; Given Mkhari, a South African entrepreneur and media executive; Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria; and Sam Amadi, a lawyer and policy strategists
Others are Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer and activist; Olufemi Awoyemi, founder and chairman of Proshare Limited; and Kayode Akintemi, editor-in-chief and managing director of News Central Television.
Speaking at the event, Akintemi said that the board would play a critical role in steering the organisation through Nigeria’s complex media landscape.
He said the board reflects the organisation’s commitment to in-depth and investigative journalism, as well as giving voice to everyday Nigerians.
In an era of misinformation, we are strengthening our editorial independence to deliver credible news that empowers Nigerians and shapes Africa’s narrative,” he said.
According to the organisation, the board will oversee editorial policy, guide content strategy, promote investigative reporting and ensure adherence to ethical standards.
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BREAKING: Rivers State Assembly Commences Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara and Deputy
The Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct.
During Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Hon. Major Jack presented a notice invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. He outlined seven points of alleged gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, including:
– Demolition of the Assembly Complex
– Extra-budgetary spending
– Withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission
– Refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on financial autonomy for the legislature
The notice was reportedly signed by 26 lawmakers.
Speaker Amaewhule announced that the formal impeachment notice would be served on Governor Fubara within the next seven days, in accordance with constitutional procedures.
In the same session, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Linda Stewart tabled a separate notice against Deputy Governor Odu, accusing her of:
1. Reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds
2. Obstructing the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
3. Conniving to allow unauthorized persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the legitimate Assembly
4. Seeking budgetary approval from an unauthorized group instead of the recognized Rivers State House of Assembly
5. Seizure of salaries and allowances due to the Assembly and its Service Commission.
This development marks a fresh escalation in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, amid ongoing tensions over legislative autonomy, budget processes, and governance.
The Assembly’s actions come against the backdrop of previous impeachment attempts and disputes involving the executive and legislature.
No immediate response has been issued from the governor’s office.
Acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, are grieving the tragic death of one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, who passed away at the age of 21 months.
According to an official family statement released today, Nkanu Nnamdi died on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
The family described the loss as profound and devastating, requesting privacy and respect during this painful period of mourning. They expressed gratitude for public understanding and asked for prayers as they grieve privately.
The statement emphasized that no further comments will be made, and thanked the media and public for honoring their need for seclusion.
The statement was issued on behalf of the family by Omawumi Ogbe. Adichie, known for works including *Americanah* and *Half of a Yellow Sun*, has maintained a private family life.
The twins were born in 2024, as previously shared in interviews.
The family appreciates the outpouring of support but reiterates their wish for privacy at this time.
Ohibaba.com extends its condolences to the family.
Meet News Central TV new editorial board members
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