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Presidential Election: Legal Practitioner and Social Critic, Inibehe Effiong Urges LP, PDP not to panic over INEC’s objections

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A legal practitioner and social critic, Inibehe Effiong has urged people not to panic over objections to admissibility of documents by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the ongoing hearings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, saying
it is a distraction, while claiming that the objected documents by the INEC were duly certified, adding that the Court will act on them.

In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, the legal expert claimed that “the Electoral Commission’s neutrality is a mirage, especially in electoral litigations”.

He alleged that the INEC had basically aligned its defence strategy with the other Respondents, including the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Effiong said, “People should not panic over objections to admissibility of documents by INEC at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. I’m not surprised by INEC’s roguish and embarrassing attitude. These are public documents duly certified. The Court will act on them. It is a distraction.

“Ordinarily, INEC being the maker of the documents which they’ve certified, that is Form EC8 series (polling unit & collation results), they’re not supposed to object to their admissibility.

“I’ve always said that INEC’s neutrality is a mirage, especially in electoral litigations.

“The documents have been admitted, though the Respondents will state the grounds for their objections in their final addresses.

“Typically, the tribunal will look into the documents and act on them.

“As long as the documents have been duly certified, there’s no cause for alarm.

“INEC has basically aligned their defence strategy with the other Respondents (Tinubu, APC and Shettima). They’re working in sync as they always do.”

At the resumed hearing of the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP challenging the election of President Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, counsel to the petitioners, Mr Chris Uche, SAN, said that the team had prepared a second schedule of documents to be tendered.

Some documents the petitioners tendered in evidence through Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, were certified true copies of Form EC8A downloaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from its Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

The Form EC8A was for eight local government areas of Bayelsa, 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, 20 local government areas of Ogun and of 23 local government areas of Kogi.

Form EC8As are sheets used for collection of results at the polling units level.

But counsel to INEC, Mr Kemi Pinhero, SAN, objected to the admissibility of all documents relating to Kogi except for those of five Local Government Areas, namely, Olamaboro, Ofu, Omala, Okehi and Ajaokuta.

He said this was because the five local governments whose documents he did not oppose were specifically pleaded in the petitioners’ pleadings.

Pinhero also objected to the admissibility of the documents relating to the BVAS except for Kogi, Rivers and Sokoto states.

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JAMB releases Thursday’s UTME results

In a statement issued by the Board on Friday, and signed by its spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, candidates were advised to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the results of candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with a total of 632,788 results now available for viewing.

In a statement issued by the Board on Friday, and signed by its spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, candidates were advised to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.

JAMB clarified that at this stage, candidates can only view their results, as printing options are not yet available.

It also issued a strong warning against attempts to manipulate or alter result messages received from official channels, stressing that such actions constitute a criminal offence.

The Board added that it is already taking action against offenders, revealing that some suspects are currently in custody.

“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means. Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law,” it stated.

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Arise TV Deputy Director News Win Editor of The Year Award

The award’s: “In recognition of your exceptional editorial prowess, insightful journalism, and outstanding contributions to media excellence in Nigeria.”

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Deputy Director of News, Arise TV, Ohi OIdiai, has won Editor Of The Year 2026 Awards category, courtsey of The Industry Newspaper.

In a statement, the organiser said that the award was: “In recognition of your exceptional editorial prowess, insightful journalism, and outstanding contributions to media excellence in Nigeria.”

Details later…

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JUST IN: Tinubu Signs ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget

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……Extends 2025 Implementation to June 30

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given assent to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, approving a record aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the fiscal year.

The President also signed legislation extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget specifically its capital component from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

According to details of the new budget, ₦4.799 trillion is allocated for statutory transfers, while debt service is pegged at ₦15.8 trillion. Recurrent expenditure stands at ₦15.4 trillion, with the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure receiving ₦32.2 trillion.

Capital spending thus accounts for approximately 50 percent of the total budget, reflecting the administration’s focus on infrastructure development, national security, economic stability, and inclusive growth.

A statement from the State House described the allocations as striking a strategic balance between mandatory obligations, debt servicing, day-to-day government operations, and productive capital investments aimed at boosting productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.

President Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which formally extends the 2025 capital projects window. Officials said the extension will allow Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to complete advanced-stage infrastructure and development projects, improve execution rates, and deliver better value for public funds.

The 2026 Appropriation Act takes effect from April 1, 2026, paving the way for full implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President has directed all MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient use of resources, with strict emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.

President Tinubu commended the National Assembly for its swift consideration and passage of the budget, describing it as a demonstration of diligence, cooperation, and patriotism.

He reaffirmed the need for continued collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches to advance national development goals.

The President further assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to deepening fiscal reforms, boosting revenue generation, stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening social protection programmes.

The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, on April 17, 2026.

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