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
Police Disrupt BAT/OGD Rally in Ogun
The incident is the latest twist in the deepening political rift between Daniel and Governor Dapo Abiodun, both prominent figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Police on Wednesday disrupted a planned political gathering of supporters of former governor Gbenga Daniel at his GRA residence Ijebu-Ode Local Government area of Ogun State.
The incident is the latest twist in the deepening political rift between Daniel and Governor Dapo Abiodun, both prominent figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
“Police stormed the Obanta Club area and blockaded OGD’s residence to deny access to the venue of the BAT/OGD Community Assessment and Review Tour scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026,” said an aide to the former governor, who currently represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the 10th Senate.
It was learned that security agents blocked all access routes to Daniel’s residence, effectively preventing members of the group from holding their meeting.
The BAT/OGD; Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Otunba Gbenga Daniel Movement, is a grassroots political platform mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027, alongside Daniel’s anticipated return to the Senate.
The programme, convened under the Gateway Front Foundation; an initiative of Senator Daniel, has traditionally served as a platform for empowering constituents across the senatorial district.It was gathered that no fewer than 10,000 beneficiaries were expected to benefit from the outreach.
However, the heavy presence of security operatives reportedly forced organisers and participants to abandon the event.
Eyewitnesses said many supporters were left stranded and visibly distraught, as they could not gain entry to the venue due to the blockade.
Politics
Supreme Court postpone ruling on ADC’s leadership disputes
A five-member panel, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba announced on Wednesday that the date of judgment would be communicated to lawyers who represented parties.
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment in the appeal filed by factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.
A five-member panel, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba announced on Wednesday that the date of judgment would be communicated to lawyers who represented parties.
The judge or bench takes time to carefully consider complex evidence, arguments, and legal precedents, often issuing a written decision later.
Justice Garba made the announcement after lawyers to parties adopted their various briefs and prayed the court to grant their reliefs.
Mark’s appeal, marked: SC/CV/180/2026 is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
Politics
Adelabu to resign as power minister
Adelabu is resigning for his governorship aspiration in the 2027 election.
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu will be resigning his position as minister of power in the coming days.
This was disclosed this morning by Mr Tunji Bolaji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the minister.
According to Bolaji, Adelabu is resigning for his governorship aspiration in the 2027 election.
He said that the timing of the minister’s anticipated resignation reflected his commitment to addressing key sectoral challenges and ensuring continuity in ongoing reforms prior to exiting office.
According to him, Adelabu, on Tuesday, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where he presented a comprehensive report on his stewardship of the power sector over the past two and a half years.”
President Tinubu commended the minister for his dedication and the progress recorded, particularly in laying a strong policy foundation for the transformation of the power sector.
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