Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

143 Views

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.

News

44 lawmakers beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu

The lawmakers under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers, in a letter addressed to the president, urged him to, “as soon as practicable”, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Published

on

By

13 Views

Forty-four members of the House of Representatives have written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from custody.

The lawmakers under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers, in a letter addressed to the president, urged him to, “as soon as practicable”, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The letter was signed by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Harrison Nwadike, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudshiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamechi, Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus, Hon. Obed Shehu, Hon. Dominic, Hon. Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, Hon. Chike John Okafor and Hon. Adam Ogene Ogbaru.

Other lawmakers, who signed the letter, are Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu, Hon. Chimaobi Sam, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Hon. Donatus Matthew, Hon. Ibe Osonwa, Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman, Hon. Thaddeus Atta, Hon. Udema H. Okonkwo, Hon. Cyril Godwin, Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuike, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Gwachem Maureen, Hon. Onwunka, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Nwobosi Joseph, Hon. Amobi Godwin.

Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuike, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Gwachem Maureen, Hon. Onwunka, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Nwobosi Joseph, Hon. Amobi Godwin, Hon. Blessing Amadi, Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, Hon. Dr. Joshua Audu Gana, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, Hon. Emeka Idu, Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Hon. Godwin Offiono, Hon. Ngozi Okolie and Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi.

(From Daily Trust)

Continue Reading

News

President Tinubu Leaves for 20th summit of the G20 Leaders

The G20 Summit, scheduled from Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including representatives of the European Union, African Union, and global financial institutions.

Published

on

By

16 Views

“President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a two-nation visit to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

“President Tinubu’s first stop is Johannesburg, where he will attend the 20th summit of the G20 Leaders. After the summit, he will proceed to Angola for the AU-EU summit,” it stated.

The statement added that President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African leader and current G20 President, invited Tinubu to participate in this year’s edition, while President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil extended a similar invitation during his tenure in 2024.

The G20 Summit, scheduled from Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including representatives of the European Union, African Union, and global financial institutions.

The theme of the summit, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will guide discussions across three plenary sessions.

“Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; Leaving No One Behind: Building our economies, the role of trade, Financing for development and the Debt burden.“A Resilient World: the G20’s Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems.“A fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence,” the statement noted.

Continue Reading

News

SGF Akume’s Tributes to Dan Agbese

Published

on

By

35 Views

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Dr. George Akume has expressed sadness over the demise of veteran journalist, Mr. Dan Agbese.

In a statement on Tuesday by Terrence Kuanum Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Akume lamented that Agbese left the stage at a critical time, noting that his fatherly role and vast experience would be missed.

Senator Akume said that, as a member of the pioneer trailblazers in the media industry who stood firm in defiance to iron-fist grip of military rule, championing the pathway for the restoration of democracy, his passing has created a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

“His death was a monumental national loss. Dan Agbese was a fine gentleman to the core.

He was a man of strong conviction with unimpeachable character, and unwavering determination to achieve great goals against all odds. His perchance for justice, equity and fairness set him apart from the rest.” Sen. Akume stated.

The SGF added that, late Agbese’s sharp prose and decades-long contribution to journalism, that culminated into shaping modern investigative reporting and commentary on the socio-political landscape of Nigeria would be greatly missed by all.”

” Dan Agbese was a doyen of journalism and merchant of biting satire. He was such a versatile, bold and confident writer whose quill dripped brutal frankness.

A mentor and father that professionally refined his mentees and turned them into masters of the pen craft,” he added.

Senator George Akume admonishes the Agbese family, his friends and colleagues in the media industry to take solace in the exemplary and impactful lifestyle that he lived, and pray God for a repose of his soul.

Continue Reading

Trending