News
Tribunal Strikes out PDP, Adebutu’s reply on Vote Buying Allegation Against Dapo Abiodun
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday struck out the vote buying allegation, levelled against Governor Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Adebutu had dragged Governor Abiodun and the APC to the tribunal challenging their declaration as the winner of the 18, March 2023 governorship election in the state.
But the governor’s lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in their defence to the petition, made weighty allegations backed up with police report, establishing that Adebutu and the PDP engaged in vote buying during the elections.
On 22 May, 2023, Adebutu and the PDP filed a reply to the defence by Governor Abiodun and the APC, also levelling vote buying allegation against the ruling party.
The Governor’s lawyers, represented by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), however, filed an application asking the Tribunal to strike out the Reply in its entirety or in the alternative, to strike out offending paragraphs from that Reply.
Osipitan argued that the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP contravenes paragraph 16(1) (a & b) of the Electoral Act and the rules of court pleadings.
While ruling on the matter, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice H.N. Kunaza, agreed with the submissions by Prof. Osipitan
In the ruling, supported by the other two members; Hon. Justice J.B. Egele and Hon. Justice Sannusi Shehu, the Tribunal overruled Adebutu’s lawyers, led by Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), saying that the application filed by the Governor’s lawyers was not the kind of application that the Constitution requires to be determined at the end of proceedings in judgment.
Relying on relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Tribunal held that only applications that challenge the tribunal’s jurisdiction or the competence of a petition will be deferred till judgment whereas the application filed by Governor Abiodun’s lawyers was not that kind of application.
The Tribunal also held that the Reply by Adebutu and PDP was incompetent for multiple reasons.
The Tribunal identified some paragraphs which contained unnecessary and repetitive allegations, others, which contained arguments and legal conclusions (which are not allowed in replies), and some paragraphs which were an improper expansion of the petition earlier filed.
The Tribunal noted that in their petition, Adebutu and PDP alleged that Governor Abiodun and APC committed corrupt practices during the gubernatorial elections. The Tribunal further noted that vote buying is a specie of corruption and that if PDP and Adebutu truly believed that APC engaged in vote buying, the petitioner ought to have included those allegations in their petition from the start, which they did not do.
The Tribunal noted that if the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP was permitted, there was a risk to prejudice, surprise, or even shut out Governor Abiodun and APC on the issues raised in that Reply.
The Tribunal denounced Adebutu and the PDP for coming up with the vote-buying allegation only after APC and Governor Abiodun had done same against them.
With this backdrop, the Tribunal unanimously concluded that Governor Abiodun and APC would be prejudiced if the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP is allowed.
The Tribunal held that when Governor Abiodun and APC filed their defence, they joined issues with Adebutu and PDP; that by joining issues, the parties fixed the dispute; and that it was improper to go outside those issues in the Reply.
The Tribunal also found that it was unnecessary to file a Reply in the circumstance, as held in several decisions of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court.
The Reply was accordingly struck out.
With this ruling, only the allegation of vote buying made by Governor Abiodun and APC against Adebutu and the PDP would be entertained by the tribunal.
Jelili Owonikoko (SAN), represented INEC, while the APC team was led by Chief Onyeazu Ikpeazu (SAN).
It would be recalled that Adebutu and PDP leaders in Ogun State have been charged for the offence of vote buying by the Federal Government, a situation that has led to Adebutu being a fugitive to the law.
News
Omotayo Exits MAN, Becomes COO Saldrey Communications Ltd
• Omotayo Okewunmi
Saldrey Communications Limited, a niche Public Relations and Media agency, is pleased to announce the appointment of Omotayo Okewunmi as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective Monday, November 3, 2025.
This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward strengthening its operations, expanding its client impact, and deepening its commitment to innovation-driven communication solutions.
Omotayo joins Saldrey Communications following her impactful tenure as the Public Relations Manager of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where she played a pivotal role in advancing the Association’s public image, stakeholder engagement, and policy communication strategies.
During her time at MAN, she was instrumental in crafting narratives that amplified the voice of Nigerian manufacturers, reinforcing the Association’s credibility across national and international platforms.
Beyond her corporate experience in MAN, Omotayo has founded and grown businesses in the media and events industry and her impact is felt particularly with Clefflake Media and Events, a boutique media and event consultancy renowned for its creative storytelling, experiential brand activations, and strategic communications expertise. Under her leadership, Clefflake Media and Events became a trusted name among clients seeking tailored solutions for their brands and memorable experiences at events.
At Saldrey Communications, Omotayo is poised to bring her wealth of experience in strategic planning, brand communication, and client relationship management to elevate the agency’s operational excellence and creative output.
Her appointment underscores Saldrey’s commitment to fostering leadership that drives measurable results and delivers unmatched value to clients.
“This is an opportunity to merge innovation with purpose. My coming on board is to not only strengthen the internal operations of the organisation but also create lasting value for our clients.
Saldrey Communications has always stood out for its deep understanding of influence mastery and its ability to deliver unmatched results to clients.
My goal is to amplify that strength, ensuring every project reflects the company’s core philosophy of delivering excellence, creativity, and results.”
According to Saldrey Communications’ value proposition as outlined on its website, the company is committed to “delivering strategic, innovative, and measurable communication solutions that connect brands to their audiences and drive sustainable growth.”
Omotayo’s appointment is aligned with this mission ensuring that every client engagement reflects the agency’s hallmark of precision, passion, and performance.
With her unique blend of corporate communications expertise, entrepreneurial flair, and passion for public relations, Omotayo Okewunmi is set to play a transformative role in driving Saldrey Communications’ next phase of growth, one that promises innovation, client satisfaction, and lasting impact.
News
ASUU Urges Tinubu to Sack Education Minister
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is calling for the sack of the Minister of Education , Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, alleging that he is incompetent.
The Chairman of ASUU, University of Jos chapter, Prof Jurbe Joseph Molwus ,made the call on Wednesday .
” If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the union will likely resume another strike in two weeks saying that the strike was suspended as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining.
The union described as sad the fact that even the N50 billion revitalisation fund claimed to have been released some weeks ago by the Federal Government is yet to reach the Universities and wondered why the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, is still keeping it.
The Universities have yet to receive the N2.3 billion purportedly released by the government to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal Universities.
ASUU said the amount of N2.3 billion arrears for promotion and salaries is like a drop in the ocean because it can hardly take care of three big Universities in Nigeria as it is “grossly inadequate and almost embarrassing, if not insulting.”
“
Crime
Federal lawmaker escapes assassination attempt
A member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, narrowly escaped death on Tuesday after his convoy was ambushed by suspected terrorists in Niger State.
The attack occurred along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area while Damisa, who represents Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency, was on his way to Babanna for an official engagement.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen—identified as “Lakurawa terrorists,” locally known as bandits—opened fire on the lawmaker’s convoy in a surprise afternoon attack.
Security operatives attached to the convoy responded immediately, resulting in a fierce gun battle. One soldier was reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Some of Damisa’s political aides and supporters were also injured during the exchange.
Witnesses said the attackers fired relentlessly, riddling several vehicles with bullets before fleeing the scene. At least 11 vehicles were reportedly vandalised in the attack.
Despite the heavy assault, Damisa escaped unharmed. Security agencies are said to have launched a manhunt for the assailants in the area.
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