Connect with us

News

Edo Guber: INEC Tenders Additional BVAS Machines, *As Ighodalo closes case against Okpebholo after 19 witnesses

Published

on

Edo Guber: INEC Tenders Additional BVAS Machines, *As Ighodalo closes case against Okpebholo after 19 witnesses

By Kayode Lawal.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s governorship candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo has closed their case against the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

The petitioners closed their case on Monday, shortly after calling 19 witnesses who testified of alleged irregularities, especially during the collation of votes at both the ward and local government levels.

The move to close their case was sequel to the tendering of five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), machines, that were used for the election.

The electronic devices, were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Anthony Itodo.

It will be recalled that following a subpoena order of the three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, INEC had last week tendered 148 BVAS machines used in 133 polling units in the September 21 governorship election.

The petitioners had anchored their claim against the outcome of the election on alleged wrongful computation of results during collation at the ward and local government levels.

After taking five witnesses last Friday, the tribunal has adjourned to Monday to enable the petitioners continue their case challenging the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC’s) candidate, Monday Okpebholo as governor.

However, at the resumed hearing at the tribunal currently sitting in Abuja, the petitioners expressed satisfaction that they have established their case against the respondents, going by the testimonies of their witnesses and the plethora of documentary evidence brought before the three-member panel of justices.

Lead counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, thereafter informed the tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi that they would be closing their case against the respondents.

Although, INEC, Okpebholo and the APC opposed the admissibility of the five BVAS machines, the tribunal however accepted them pending its ruling on their relevance to the case.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has fixed Wednesday for INEC to open its defence.

The electoral umpire had declared Okpebholo of the APC winner of the September 21, governorship election after scoring a total of 291, 667 votes.

PDP’s Ighodalo came second after scoring a total of 247, 655 votes.

Aggrieved by the outcome of the election, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as governor.

The petitioners, among other things, contended that the governorship election was invalid by reason of alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

They equally argued in the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, that governor Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

Meanwhile, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Anthony Aziegbemin, expressed confidence that the petitioners through their lawyers have done justice to the case.

“We think the case is pretty straight forward, we think it is documentary based, we think it is specific, we think the judiciary will give it some judicial cognisance of what we tendered before them.

“We believe that they have all they need from us and all what we should produce, I think we have given it to them. And we expect them to look at them and see how it goes. But suffices to say that it is not a petition as we used to have it in the country where you call a lot of witnesses.

“We didn’t need to call a lot of witnesses, we called the witnesses that we needed, to prove our case and make our case more solid”, Aziegbemin.

The chairman described as strange INEC’s objection to the admissibility of its own documents, adding that it “gives us and Nigerians something to think about, why will INEC oppose the documents it certified to the petitioners to be tendered in the open court.

“I think the tribunal will look into that and see why they are objecting, though they said they will give reasons at the address stage but it is strange. It doesn’t add up”, Aziegbemin said.

Edo Guber: INEC Tenders Additional BVAS Machines, *As Ighodalo closes case against Okpebholo after 19 witnesses

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

NGO empower women farmers in Adamawa to strengthen food security

Published

on

NGO empower women farmers in Adamawa to strengthen food security

Nuru Nigeria a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has sensitized and supported no fewer than 7,500 women farmers in Adamawa State as part of national efforts to enhance food security.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with financial institutions, policymakers, and other partners, in commemoration of 2025 International Day of Rural Women.

Mrs Amy Gaman, Managing Director, Nuru Nigeria, said, the purpose of the celebration was to encourage and empower women farmers, especially those who are vulnerable in rural communities.

She explained that participants were selected from various local government areas and educated on how to access agricultural loans and financial services to improve their productivity.

She said in line with this year’s World Food Day theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” a lot would be achieved in creating an inclusive and sustainable national food system.

Gaman added that stakeholders from different sectors came together to engage in dialogue on how to protect the food system and ensure rural communities are not left behind.

According to her, the Organisation has reached over 40,000 people through its women’s empowerment initiatives in the local government areas where it operates.

In his remarks, Professor David Jato, Adamawa Commissioner for Agriculture commended the Fintiri administration for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.

According to him, several policies have been implemented by the state government to support rural farmers, especially women, and praised organizations like Nuru Nigeria for complementing government efforts.

Martha Igu, who spoke on behalf of the participants shared testimonials about how Nuru Nigeria has improved their farming practices.

She said their intervention has positively impacted their lives through access to resources, training, and financial support among others.

NGO empower women farmers in Adamawa to strengthen food security

Continue Reading

News

Scores of Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno ambush

Published

on

Scores of Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno ambush

…… As security forces also sustained casualties

By: Ndahi Marama

Dozens of Terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram/ISWAP have been killed in an ambush on troops of 21 Armoured Brigade along Bama-Kashimri village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

The troops according to Credible Military Source revealed that they were on clearance operations around the Kashimri general area when the incident took place last Friday (Yesterday).

The Source said, troops of the Joint Task Force North East ‘ Operation Hadin Kai’ responded swiftly with firepower, as over 30 terrorists were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

He said, unfortunately, the Officer who led the clearance operation (Names withheld), with some soldiers, two members of Civilian Joint Task Force and two Vigilantes paid the supreme price during the encounter.

“Yes, out troops came under Boko Haram ambush along Bama- Kashimri village last Friday while on clearance operations.

“Troops responded swiftly and nuetralized dozens of the terrorists, as scores fled with gunshot wounds.

” Unfortunately, the Officer who led the clearance operation (Names withheld), with some soldiers, two members of Civilian Joint Task Force and two Vigilantes paid the supreme price during the encounter”. The Military Source revealed.

He however said, the troops have sustained high spirit, as further operations are ongoing in all fronts to maintain pressure on the terrorists and deny them freedom of movement.

Scores of Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno ambush

Continue Reading

Military

Nigerian Airforce neutralises bandits in coordinated airstrike in Mariga axis of Niger

Published

on

Nigerian Airforce neutralises bandits in coordinated airstrike in Mariga axis of Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralised several bandits in a coordinated air interdiction operation conducted along the Mariga axis of Niger State, following credible intelligence and surveillance reports of armed groups on the move with stolen cattle.

The precision airstrikes, carried out under the ongoing intensive counter-banditry campaign, targeted bandits’ movements around Yabawa, Bazana, Awallah, Dankolo, Kumbashi, and extending towards Kakihum, within Mariga Local Government Area.

According to verified local accounts, the operation struck a large convoy of armed bandits who were attempting to move with a herd of stolen cattle from Ragada and neighbouring villages. The air interdiction neutralised several of the criminals, while others fled in disarray into the surrounding forests.

A resident of Ragada, who narrowly escaped from the bandits during the strike, narrated his ordeal. “When the jet began bombing, God saved me; that was how I escaped from their hands,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Nigerian Air Force for the timely intervention.

Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed hearing several explosions followed by thick plumes of smoke and sporadic gunfire, as surviving bandits scattered in confusion. They described the operation as swift, precise, and highly coordinated.

Ground troops of the Nigerian Army, stationed in Rijau, Warari and Gulbin Boka, were reported to have provided complementary support by blocking possible escape routes and securing nearby communities hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Residents of the affected communities hailed the success of the operation, describing it as the “most decisive response” to recent attacks by bandit elements in the area.

One of the local leaders, Mallam Musa Ali from Kumbashi, commended the military for its professionalism and courage. “We have not slept in peace for months, but this operation has brought us hope. The Air Force and soldiers have shown that the government is serious about ending banditry,” he said.

Further intelligence from reliable sources revealed that another armed group, moving with stolen cattle from Magama Local Government, was sighted advancing towards the Kakihum–Kumbashi axis, suggesting that additional operations may be imminent.

The operation was part of ongoing coordinated air and ground efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks across the North Central region.

Local sources disclosed that at least seven separate bandit groups have been operating within the Mariga, Rijau and Magama corridor in recent weeks. However, with the latest air interdictions, several of their movements and attack plans have been effectively disrupted.

Residents across Yabawa, Awallah, and Dankolo expressed optimism that the sustained operations would lead to the restoration of peace and the return of displaced persons to their homes.

Nigerian Airforce neutralises bandits in coordinated airstrike in Mariga axis of Niger

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights