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Edo Guber: INEC Tenders Additional BVAS Machines, *As Ighodalo closes case against Okpebholo after 19 witnesses
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
News
Navy supports Adamawa community with classrooms, toilets
Navy supports Adamawa community with classrooms, toilets
Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, the Chief of Naval Staff on Thursday inaugurated six blocks of renovated classrooms and newly constructed toilets at Central Primary School, Mayo-Belwa Local Government, Adamawa State.
Abbas, who was represented by the Rear Admiral Raheem Taofeek, said the project was a special intervention scheme and cooperate social responsibility of the Nigeria Navy to give back to the community.
According to him, the project is being executed by the Rear Adm. Abdulhamid Baba-Inna, the Navy Secretary in his hometown in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the facilities responsibly for maximum benefit.
In his remarks, Baba-Inna, said the project was to improve the learning environment to be conducive for the pupils and teachers.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this project aligns squarely with the Nigeria Navy’s Civil-Military Cooperation and Relations framework.
“We recognise that our effectiveness is not measured solely by operational successes at sea or on the battlefield but also by the strength of our relationship with the people we serve.
“Projects such as this are deliberate efforts to build trust, foster goodwill and strengthen the bond between the military and civil society”, he said.
According to him, the classes and offices were provided with tables and chairs as well as the solar power light to enhance safety and security in the school.
Baba-Inna urged the pupils and teachers to take ownership of the project for maximum benefit.
In his remarks, Mr Adiyal Kurdah, Member I, Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Navy for such a project.
He said the project would significantly improve enrollment, retention and quality education in the area.
Alhaji Ardo Bamanga, District Head of Mayo-Belwa, described the project as a good legacy that would help to shape the character of children to be responsible citizens in future.
The event featured presentation of learning materials to pupils, tree planting, cultural displays and awards presentations.
Navy supports Adamawa community with classrooms, toilets
News
Troops repel attack by gunmen in Plateau – Army
Troops repel attack by gunmen in Plateau – Army
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring peace, have repelled an attack by unidentified gunmen in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on May 5 at Rim general area.
According to the source, troops deployed at the location came under sporadic gunfire from unknown assailants.
He said the troops swiftly responded and engaged the attackers, forcing them to withdraw from the area.
“Troops successfully repelled the attack, and the criminals fled,” the source said.
The source added that follow-up patrols had been intensified to track the fleeing attackers and prevent further security breaches in the area.
Troops repel attack by gunmen in Plateau – Army
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Zulum meets NPA’s mgt in Lagos, wants Borno’s export capabilities scaled up
Zulum meets NPA’s mgt in Lagos, wants Borno’s export capabilities scaled up
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, met with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos on Tuesday during which he discussed opportunities for his state’s local creators to link into the value chain.
Zulum’s administration, since 2019, has pushed to diversify Borno’s economy while also creating a conducive environment for business and investment.

The governor, who was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, alongside Executive Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar, had paid a similar high-level visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) last year.
At the NSC meeting, Zulum had pushed for the fast-tracking of the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port; a landmark project designed to bring port services closer to the northeast.
Once operational, the dry port will create thousands of jobs, generate significant internal revenue and boost Borno’s overall economic activity by reducing logistics costs and decongesting coastal ports.

In a related development, Zulum’s administration is also working to fully establish the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Banki, a border town neighbouring the Republic of Cameroon, with the process already at an advanced stage.
By simultaneously advancing the Dry Inland Port in Maiduguri and the Free Trade Zone in Banki, Zulum is putting in place a coherent strategy to industrialise Borno, create jobs, generate revenue and permanently shift the state’s economy away from over-reliance on monthly federal allocations.
Zulum meets NPA’s mgt in Lagos, wants Borno’s export capabilities scaled up
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