Politics
Edo Guber Tribunal: INEC fails to present witness
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has closed its case before the Edo State governorship election tribunal without presenting a witness.
INEC’s legal counsel formally moved to close its case without presenting any witnesses— a motion accepted by the Tribunal.
The Commission would be relying solely on cross-examinations and arguments from the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Governor Monday Okpebholo’s lawyers.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had first mounted a challenge to the election results, accusing INEC of orchestrating widespread irregularities and vote manipulation.
Leveraging the 2022 Electoral Act, the PDP’s legal team focused heavily on documentary evidence rather than oral testimony.
Key provisions of the Act— such as Section 137, which prioritizes documentary evidence over oral testimony, and Section 73(2), which mandates the nullification of results in polling units where ballot paper and BVAS serial numbers were not pre-recorded, form the crux of the PDP’s petition.
The Tribunal has already admitted critical BVAS machines into evidence.
Testimonies from PDP witnesses, including local government agents and an expert witness (PW12), detailed systemic manipulation during result collation.
Recall that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had on Wednesday adjourned further proceedings till today, February 6, at the instance of the INEC, whose five witnesses were not in court.
INEC was billed to begin its defense on the conduct of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial poll but came to the Tribunal with information that its witnesses have been held up.
Counsel to the electoral body, Abdullahi Aliyu, informed the Tribunal that the five listed witnesses were held up on their trip from Benin City and opted to tender three documents in order to make a semblance of progress in the day’s proceedings.
Politics
I have what it takes to be President, says Makinde
Makinde said that the 2027 presidential election would be a battle between Nigerians and the All Progressives Congress (APC), and not a contest between political parties.
Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo, says he has the capacity to become Nigeria’s president.
Makinde spoke during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, aired on Tuesday.
The Oyo governor is currently serving his second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde said that the 2027 presidential election would be a battle between Nigerians and the All Progressives Congress (APC), and not a contest between political parties.
“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land, and I have what it takes, but what I want to do right now is this: Is this what Nigerians are asking for? Is this what my party will say we should do? We don’t know; we still have a long time to go,” he said.
“Where we are right now is that we must fix our party; we must have a platform for you to even aspire to be anything.“Let me also say this: If my political journey ends right here, I am also very happy.
When I joined politics in 2007, I wanted to go to the Senate.“I wanted to be a senator, but now, not only have I achieved more than that by being governor of my state, I have also cherished the opportunity that people have given to me to make my own little difference.”
Credit: BusinessDay
Politics
2027 Elections: PDP Prefers Stand-Alone to Coalition or Merger
Equally, the forum emphasised that “the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any parties, persons, or groups that are willing to join the party with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), have unanimously resolved not to join any coalition or merger as the 2027 elections approach.
The resolution was made by the governors during the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting, held in Ibadan, Oyo State,.
The meeting was attended by key governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.
In a communiqué read by the Governor of Bauchi State and the forum’s Chairman, Bala Mohammed, the forum noted the “nationwide speculations about possible mergers of parties, groups, and/or associations” and resolved that “the Forum will not join any coalition or merger.
Equally, the forum emphasised that “the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any parties, persons, or groups that are willing to join the party with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”
Politics
Gabon Transit from Military to Democracy as Oligui Wins Presidential Election
Oligui won 90.35 percent of votes counted, while his main rival, Alain-Claude Bilie by Nze took 3.02 percent of the vote and six other candidates failed to win more than 1 percent in the elections that marked a return to democracy.
Photo: Gabon’s military leader and Presidential candidate Brice Oligui Nguema (C) reacts after casting his ballot at the Centre Urban Pilot school polling station in Libreville on April 12, 2025 during Gabon’s presidential election. Gabonese voters began casting ballots on April 12, 2025 in a presidential election with eight candidates that is widely expected to make junta chief Brice Oligui Nguema the oil-rich central African country’s first elected leader since his 2023 coup. (Photo by Nao Mukadi / AFP)
Gabon’s junta chief Brice Oligui Nguema has won the presidential election.
The provisional results released Sunday by the interior ministry. Oligui won 90.35 percent of votes counted, while his main rival, Alain-Claude Bilie by Nze took 3.02 percent of the vote and six other candidates failed to win more than 1 percent in the elections that marked a return to democracy.
Turn-out was 70.4 percent, said the ministry.
AFP
Judgment analysis: Report me to LPDC, Falana dares Wike
Killings: Shettima visits Plateau today, Danjuma calls for self-defence
Girl, 14, killed by lion in Kenya
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Sports3 days agoU-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Coach Unveils 24- Man Squad
-
News3 days agoTinubu working remotely from overseas, returns after Easter – Presidency
-
Business3 days agoLCCI, NIXIN Reel Actions to Boost Nigeria’s Paper Industry
-
News3 days agoWAEC revokes licenses of 574 schools over exam malpractices
-
News3 days agoEaster: IG orders tight security, deployment of personnel to churches
-
News3 days agoEpileptic electricity: FG to inject 1,900MW solar power into grid
-
Opinions12 hours agoThe Backlash Against Enioluwa’s Tears Shows Why Nigerian Men Are Dying in Silence , by Halima Layeni
-
Health2 days agoSufferer of Kidney Failure, Sewanu, Needs Your Help