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Edo Guber Tribunal: INEC fails to present witness

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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.

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APC Postpones House of Representatives Primary to Saturday

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its House of Representatives primary election for the 2027 General Elections to Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the party said the adjustment affects only the House of Representatives primary, while the dates for other primaries remain unchanged.

According to the new timetable released by the APC:

  • House of Representatives Primary: Saturday, 16th May, 2026
  • Senate Primary: Monday, 18th May, 2026
  • State House of Assembly Primary: Wednesday, 20th May, 2026
  • Governorship Primary: Thursday, 21st May, 2026
  • Presidential Primary: Saturday, 23rd May, 2026

The party assured stakeholders that the shift was necessary and that all other arrangements for the primaries would proceed as planned.

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Makinde to declare presidential ambition on Thursday

The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026”, is expected to serve as the official launch of Governor Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid, alongside the unveiling of a grand political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM)…

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Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to formally declare his presidential ambition on Thursday, 14 May, during a major political rally scheduled to hold at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan.

The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026”, is expected to serve as the official launch of Governor Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid, alongside the unveiling of a grand political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), as well as candidates aligned with the emerging coalition being championed by the Oyo State governor and his loyalists.

Reports indicate that preparations for the rally have intensified amid growing political realignments within Oyo State and the wider South-West region.

Several grassroots mobilisers, political associates and loyalists of Governor Makinde are reportedly making strategic moves as consultations over a broader political structure continue to gather momentum.

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APC Warns Aspirants Against Violence, Anti-Party Activities Ahead of Primaries

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The All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged all aspirants contesting on the platform of the party to maintain discipline, maturity, and sportsmanship ahead of the 2027 party primaries.

In a statement, Yilwatda said that the APC remains committed to conducting transparent, peaceful, and credible primaries capable of strengthening internal democracy and sustaining public confidence in the ruling party.

Yilwatda warned that the party leadership would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting the primaries, including violence, unrest, anti-party activities, or attempts to compromise the integrity of the process.

He stressed that any aspirant or supporter found culpable would face severe sanctions, including suspension from the party, adding that no personal ambition should override the collective interest of the APC and national stability.

The APC chairman reminded aspirants that democratic contests naturally produce winners and non-winners, urging all contestants to accept the outcome of the primaries in good faith.

According to him, democracy thrives on healthy competition, mutual respect, and acceptance of results, while aspirants must see themselves as ambassadors of the party whose conduct should reflect the values and vision of the APC.

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting unity within the party, and called on party members and stakeholders to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and avoid divisive actions capable of overheating the political environment or undermining progress already recorded by the administration.

Highlighting achievements of the Tinubu administration, the APC chairman pointed to ongoing investments in road infrastructure, rail transportation, energy, agriculture, healthcare, technology, and the solid minerals sector.

He noted that the administration’s reforms are aimed at repositioning Nigeria for long-term economic growth, job creation, food security, and the attainment of a one trillion dollar economy through strategic investments and industrial expansion.

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