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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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BREAKING: Nigerian Air Force fighter jet crashes in Niger State (Video)

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A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet has crashed in Niger State.

The aircraft went down near Karabonde village in Borgu Local Government Area this afternoon.

Initial reports from military sources confirm that both pilots ejected safely and survived the crash with no fatalities reported.

Authorities have ruled out hostile action, stating that the incident was caused by a technical/mechanical fault.

Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the crash site. Further details are awaited.

Watch vvideo below:

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Emeka Monye of ARISE NEWS Launches N1m Award for Anambra’s Top WAEC Student Annually

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Renowned journalist and media strategist, Emeka Monye, has launched an annual award of N1 million for the best-performing student in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Anambra State.

The award, which is aimed at promoting academic excellence, is open to all Anambra students – both public and private schools – who sat for the WAEC examination.

Monye, who is the Anambra State Correspondent for ARISE TV, said the initiative is part of his efforts to give back to the society and encourage students to strive for excellence.

According to Monye, the award is a way of recognizing and rewarding outstanding academic achievement, and he hopes that it will inspire other students to work hard and emulate the winner’s success.

The award winner will be selected based on their performance in the WAEC examination, and the announcement is expected to be made soon.

Monye, who has been a driving force in media innovation, has instituted this award to motivate students to aim high and achieve their goals.

He believes that education is key to personal and societal development, and this initiative is his way of contributing to the growth and development of Anambra State.

The launch of this award has been welcomed by the state COMMSIONER for education, Prof. NGOZI Chuma-Udeh who described the initiative as a great motivator for students to excel academically. Prof. Chuma-Udeh, while receiving the founder and initiator of the EMEKA MONYE SCHOLARSHIP PRIZE, Emeka Monye in her office, asked other well-meaning individuals to emulate the good gesture of the journalist whose charity work will make impact in the education sector.

The award, which commences in 2026 academic session and runs through to 2035, is expected to be presented annually in the sum of one hundred thousand naira for the next ten years, and Monye has called on other stakeholders to join him in promoting education and academic excellence in the state in particular and the country as a whole.

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Truck Drivers Block Obajana-Kabba Highway, Causing Massive Gridlock in Kogi State

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Motorists were stranded on the Obajana-Kabba Highway in Kogi State following a roadblock staged by truck drivers, bringing traffic to a complete halt on the busy federal route.

The blockade has triggered severe congestion, leaving thousands of vehicles unable to proceed in either direction and forcing travelers to seek alternative paths.

The protest reportedly began after a dispute between the truck drivers and security operatives along the road. While full details of the incident are yet to be confirmed, the drivers parked their articulated vehicles across the highway in protest, effectively shutting down the corridor.

The disruption comes at a particularly busy time, with many residents traveling to attend funerals, weddings, and political functions across Kabba and neighboring communities.

Frustrated motorists have resorted to diverting through Okene, resulting in heavy traffic buildup on the alternative route and extended travel delays across the region.

As at press time, authorities are yet to intervene or issue an official statement on efforts to clear the highway and restore free flow of traffic.

Commuters are urged to avoid the Obajana-Kabba route until the situation is resolved.

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