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Lagos Governorship Election: Gov Sanwo-Olu, Wife Voted With Invalid Voters Cards, Witness Tells Tribunal

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There are allegations that Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke were allowed to cast their votes, despite their voter cards being invalid.

The testimony was given by an agent of the Labour Party, Dayo Isreal who was subpoenaed to testify in the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s candidate, in the March 18  election, seeking to nullify the return of Gov. SanwoOlu and his deputy.

A witness on Monday told the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom.

While being led in evidence by the Rhodes-Vivour’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Ayeni, the witness told the court that he served as an agent for the Labour Party for Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government in the Governorship Election.

” I observed that the card reader showed their cards to be invalid but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to cast their votes and this is against INEC’s electoral process,” Israel said before the tribunal

Under cross-examination from counsel to INEC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Charles Edosomwan, the witness also claimed he was beaten up that day by some All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters and that he knew they were APC supporters from the way they spoke.

“I am not a member of the Labour Party but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognised me as an LP agent, they beat me up. They also said if voters did not vote for APC, they would beat them too,” he said

When asked by counsel to Governor Sanwo Olu Olu & his deputy, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Muiz Banire, to describe how he was beaten.

He added, “During casting of votes, 4 of them beat me up. I ran away, changed my clothes to disguise myself and came back to monitor the counting of votes.

He also noted that there were cases of multiple casting of votes but INEC officials failed to intervene

“I observed more than 3-4 people voting more than once at the polling unit. INEC staff conducted the elections, though they looked the other way when this was going on.”

While answering questions from counsel to APC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abiodun Owonikoko, the witness disclosed that a total number of 126 people were accredited at the polling unit where Governor Sanwo -Olu voted while APC had 121 votes, LP was given 2votes.

Additionally another subpoenaed witness, the secretary of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Sam Okpala, also testified before the tribunal

Led by counsel to the petitioner, Folagbade Benson, the subpoena was tendered to the tribunal through the witness, a situation which led to another round of objections from the respondents.

The tribunal in its ruling noted the objections of the respondents but proceeded to hear the testimony of the witness while ordering the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.

The witness, while being cross-examined by INEC’s counsel, said he would not have appeared before the tribunal if he was not subpoenaed, adding that he never wrote a statement.

The tribunal has adjourned till July 3 for the continuation of the hearing in the petition.

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Lagos shuts construction site, issues warning over illegal structures

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The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has sealed a construction site and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to another property within the Lekki–Ikoyi corridor for engaging in unauthorised development.

In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the agency said its officials sealed a building under construction at Femi Okunnu Road, Alexander Avenue, after the developers failed to obtain the necessary building permits.

LASBCA stressed that strict adherence to building regulations remains essential to curb the rise of illegal structures and ensure safety and orderly urban development across Lagos.

The agency also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to QMB Mart to dismantle all illegal structures erected on Coastal Road and under the powerline.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun, the space in question was originally designated as a parking lot but had been converted into a commercial complex without proper approvals.

“The occupants allegedly turned the area into a commercial hub, erecting a laundromat, clubhouse, and eatery without authorisation,” Abiodun said. “Development in Lagos must follow due process. Any structure built without approval or any change in the use of government-allocated spaces without consent is illegal. We are committed to upholding the state’s master plan.”

The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbaye Florence, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement across all development zones.

“Our duty is to ensure that all buildings in Lagos meet safety and regulatory standards,” she stated. “Anyone who erects structures without approval will be identified, marked, and subjected to necessary enforcement actions.”

LASBCA added that the ongoing enforcement drive will continue across the state as part of efforts to eliminate illegal constructions and promote a safer, well-planned Lagos.

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Anti-Trump Protest Breaks out in Kano (Photos)

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Islamic groups in Kano State are currently protesting against recent moves by United States President, Donald Trump, to intervene in the country’s security crisis.

The protesters trooped out on Saturday to counter Trump’s claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

They were seen displaying placards with different inscriptions such as ‘We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria’, ‘There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria’, ‘America wants to control our resources’, amongst others.

Islamic groups in Kano State are currently protesting against recent moves by United States President, Donald Trump, to intervene in the country’s security crisis.

The protesters trooped out on Saturday to counter Trump’s claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

They were seen displaying placards with different inscriptions such as ‘We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria’, ‘There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria’, ‘America wants to control our resources’, amongst others.

Ohibaba recalls that Trump recently designated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.

The US President subsequently threatened that if the Nigerian government fails to address the killing of Christians, the American military will intervene.

The Nigerian government has since denied the alleged Christian genocide, describing it as false.

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Kogi Govt Revokes Illegal Land Consent Approvals, Orders Revalidation Within Four Weeks

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The Kogi State Government has withdrawn the powers of land owners to issue consent approvals, directing that such authority will now reside solely with the Office of the Executive Governor of the State.

This was one of the key resolutions reached at the Kogi State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, 6th November, 2025, at the New EXCO Hall, Government House, Lokoja, under the chairmanship of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the Executive Council Meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo said with the new directive, all previously issued consent approvals by land owners are now declared invalid, while holders of such documents have been given four weeks to revalidate them at the Office of the Executive Governor.

Fanwo explained that the decision was taken after the government discovered that several individuals were in possession of forged consent approvals, which pose both administrative and security threats to the state.

He said the revalidation process would enable the government to properly profile all land users, ensure genuine ownership, and enhance security across communities.

“We have found that many of the consent approvals being paraded are fake, and the state has no record of those holding them.

This situation poses a serious security risk. By centralizing the process and revalidating existing consents, we will know who occupies our land and for what purpose”, he stated.

The Commissioner said Governor Ododo’s administration remains committed to transparency, orderliness, and the protection of both citizens and investors in land administration, stressing that the move was in the overall interest of public safety and sustainable development.

He assured the citizens that the government will continue to implement policies that strengthen governance structures and safeguard the integrity of state assets.

Other key highlights from the Executive Council meeting included directives to Commissioners to provide three boreholes each in their local government areas, the restriction of articulated vehicles on Lokoja roads during the day, approval for transformer procurement across senatorial districts, and consideration of the 2026 Draft Budget christened “Budget of Shared Prosperity.”

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