The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Lagos will on Monday deliver judgment in the suits challenging the election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, are challenging the victory of Sanwo-Olu at the March 18 governorship election.

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The Justice Arum Ashom-led panel communicated this message to parties on Saturday.

On August 12, lawyers in the petitions adopted their final written addresses before the tribunal.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu had won the election by a landslide, defeating Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party, who came second.

The Lagos State Governor polled 762,134 votes to beat Rhodes-Vivour, who scored 312,329 votes. Jide Adediran (Jandor) of the PDP came a distant third, polling 62,449 votes.

…Say Decision On NYSC Certificate Defies Logic, Raises Serious Questions About The Integrity Of The Judiciary

A leading civil rights advocacy group dedicated to upholding human rights and justice, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has in strong terms denounced the recent ruling by the Enugu Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which according to her has left the nation in disbelief.

HURIWA expressed outrage at the tribunal’s verdict, which it days defies logic and raises serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

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In a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, HURIWA condemned the tribunal’s decision describing it as a gross miscarriage of justice that undermines the principles of fairness and transparency in elections.

The statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, asserted that the ruling not only condones potential acts of alleged certificate forgery but also sends a distressing message that political aspirants can manipulate their qualifications with impunity precisely because the Tribunal deliberately failed to address that aspect of the petition but rather played around flowery language to deodorise the panel’s decision to unleash injustice.

“The three-man tribunal, in a unanimous judgment delivered by its chairman, Justice Kudirat Akano, dismissed the petitions of the Labour Party and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, on the basis that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate is not a qualification to contest a governorship election. This reasoning demonstrates a troubling lack of understanding of the law and its application.”

“One of the most troubling aspects of the ruling is the acknowledgment by the tribunal that Governor Mbah may or may not have presented a likely forged NYSC certificate because the Tribunal left the question in an UNMITIGATED LOGICAL AMBIGUITY when infact it was expected to definitively make a pronouncement on the validity or invalidity of that allegation of certificate forgery which in any event the Governor has another subsisting matter in another court of coordinate jurisdiction for interpretation. The Tribunal which opted to deal with that matter, would have applied the law but rather APPLIED SOPHISTRY AND ENDED UP NOT RESOLVING THAT CRITICAL QUESTION.”

“Astonishingly, the tribunal conceded that the certificate was presented but argued that because Mbah did not ‘intend’ to use it to aid his qualification, he cannot be disqualified. This dubious reasoning essentially tolerates potential forgery and undermines the very essence of electoral transparency and honesty”.

Decrying this shocking concession, HURIWA argued that it sets a dangerous precedent, eroding the foundations of democracy and accountability, just as the group emphasized that the implications of this miscarriage of justice extend far beyond Enugu State, adding that it undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and damages the trust of the Nigerian people in their government institutions.

It further expressed deep concern regarding the RIGHTNESS OF ASSIGNING SUCH A MATTER TO A PANEL PRESIDED OVER BY Honorable Justice Kudirat Morayo Akano.

“It has come to light that Justice Akano is not without her own cloud of controversy, having faced allegations of deliberately subverting the course of justice in a case she presided over as an Osun State High Court judge. The fact that such allegations exist should raise serious questions about her appointment as the chairman of any panel, let alone one that holds such significant sway over the democratic process.”

“However, the larger implication of this ruling cannot be ignored. It effectively invalidates the practice of presenting a degree certificate presupposing possession of an NYSC Certificate or NYSC discharge. If someone presents a certificate that is later deemed forged by the issuing authority, it raises fundamental questions about the tribunal’s negligence in addressing this issue.”

“Why did the tribunal not thoroughly investigate the authenticity of the certificate since it was submitted, especially if it claims that NYSC certification is not a requirement? If it truly holds no importance, why did the candidate submit it in the first place? These are glaring inconsistencies that the tribunal failed to address, leaving room for skepticism and doubt about the impartiality of the judgment”.

While endorsing the decision of the Labour Party to appeal the judgment immediately, HURIWA called on the appellate courts to correct this grave injustice and uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity in Nigeria’s elections, with the belief that the citizens of Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole deserve nothing less than a fair, just, and credible electoral process that reflects the true will of the people.

“Furthermore, the decision of the Tribunal has ominous implications for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) itself. If this judgment is upheld by the Appeal Court or Supreme Court, it effectively undermines the significance of the NYSC certificate, suggesting that anyone can simply present any certificate without consequences since in the first place, it bears no qualifying relevance as interpreted or argued by this panel of judges in the Enugu gubernatorial election petition tribunal. It puts into question the very relevance of the NYSC institution in Nigeria”.

HURIWA called attention to a previous issue it raised concerning the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who concurrently serves as a Corps member and holds a federal ministerial position.

“This case remains unaddressed, and the minister continues to hold office. This raises the concern of whether there is an underlying agenda within the government to erode the credibility and importance of the NYSC as an institution”.

The Rights Group called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems, insisting that accountability and the rule of law must prevail over political expediency and that the tribunal’s verdict should serve as a rallying cry for a better, fairer, and more just Nigeria.

While expressing its unwavering commitment to the cause of justice and human rights in Nigeria, HURIWA vowed to continue its advocacy for a fair and transparent electoral process where the rights of the people are upheld and the principles of democracy are respected.

The description of members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as “red cap wearers”, “violent and terrorist cults”, “bandits” and “bitter losers” by a member of the Kano State governorship election petition tribunal has continued to generate controversy.

Recall that the tribunal on Wednesday sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP as Kano state governor in a unanimous judgment read by the chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay.

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But while the tribunal had resolved all the grounds of the petition in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the petitioner and declared its candidate, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna as the winner of the March 28 gubernatorial polls, the consenting judgment of Justice Benson Anya, member II of the panel has gathered more attention, especially on the social media where excerpts of the judgment have been trending.

Justice Anya had said that Governor Yusuf presided over a state where anarchy was being supported and agents of the government were allowed to malign the judiciary.

“The judges of this Tribunal were harassed, intimidated and made to run under cover. What is the offence of the Judiciary?” Justice Anya queried.

Recall that days before the verdict of the tribunal, Governor Yusuf had sacked one of his cabinet member for the death threats he (commissioner) had issued against the tribunal judges should the judgement not favour the NNPP, a development that was said to be a reason why the judgement was delivered virtually.

In a copy of the judgment sighted by Daily Trust on Saturday, the judge said, “They (Gov Yusuf and his party took the position as was widely reported in the media both print and social that if they loose the case, they will kill the Judges and put the residence of Kano State on fire. They threatened to bring unrest and banditry to Kano State.

“My message to the bandits in politics who want to take power by force is that the Judiciary cannot be intimidated.

“A party who looses a case or anticipates the loss of his case can only prepare to appeal against the decision of the lower Court or prepare to appeal. This is what is obtainable in a civilised society. Kano State as we all know is a cradle of civilisation. No party on the account of loosing a case or on the basis of speculation of the possible loss of a case threaten to go a rampage against the Court and Honourable Judges.

“I use this opportunity to condemn the gang of Red Cap wearers who like a violent and terrorist cult chased us out of Kano and put us in the fear of our lives. We believe that only Allah is the giver of power. Those who believe in Allah must bow to his will and submit to the authority of Governmental power. Resort to anarchy, violence and killing can never be a source of lawful power. Threatening to put Honourable Judges in the danger of their life as done in Kano by some disguruntled bandits parading as politicians is hereby condemned,” the judge said.

The judge who went on to refer to them as “bitter losers”, called on the security agencies to ensure the threat issued against the tribunal “must not be swept under the carpet.”

“Instead of some Kano politicians to be allowed to use banditry and violence to abort democracy in Kano State, justice will be used to stop them from destroying democracy in Kano and upward, we do not want anarchy and terrorism as being promoted in Kano State and as threatened by them.”

The Benue State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday upheld the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held on March 18, 2023.

The tribunal held in the case brought before it by Titus Uba, the Governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), that the allegations against the APC and its candidate could not be proven by the petitioners.

Delivering judgement, the three-member panel, led by Justice Ibrahim Karaye, unanimously held that the petition against Alia was incompetent because issues raised therein were pre-election matters and ought to have been heard and determined by the Federal High Court.

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Justice Karaye therefore struck out Uba’s petition for want of jurisdiction, stressing that the case was an abuse of process.

The tribunal established that the allegations were unfounded in the argument of petitioners that the 2nd and 3rd respondents, Alia and his deputy, Sam Ode were at the time of contesting the election not qualified to contest as they averred that the 4th respondent, the APC did not followed the provisions of the law in the nomination of the governorship and deputy governorship candidates.

They also alleged that the 3rd respondent had presented a forged certificate to the 1st respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and therefore should be disqualified.

The petitioners had prayed among other things for the nullification of their (APC) election and to declare them (petitioners) winners of the said election having scored second highest lawful votes.

But Justice Karaye held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of forgery against the 3rd respondent before the tribunal.

The tribunal added that the 2nd and 3rd respondents were qualified to contest the March 18 governorship election and therefore dismissed the case.

Earlier, the Petitioners, Titus Uba, and the PDP had dragged the respondents, INEC, Alia, Ode, and the APC before the tribunal, challenging their declaration by the INEC.

Reacting to the judgement, the Deputy Governor of the state, Ode, who was present at the court, hailed the tribunal for affirming the election of his boss, Alia, and called on the opposition PDP to join hands with the present government to develop the state.

Also, the Counsel to the respondents, Mamman Osuman, (SAN), appreciated the ruling while noting that he knew that the petition was dead on arrival as it lacked merit and constituted a waste of resources.

However, the counsels to the petitioners, Clement Mue and Okon Efut (SAN) declined comments.

Hoodlums have invaded the house of a Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain, Abdul Yusuf Amichi, aka Abdul limbo, at Ugwolawo, headquarters of Ofu local government area of Kogi State, setting his vehicle ablaze.

According to witnesses, the hoodlums who struck around 11pm on Wednesday operated till the early hours of Thursday.

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“They have burnt an SDP campaign vehicle and vandalised a house of an SDP supporter, Abdul Yusuf Amichi in ward 1 at Ugwolawo.”

“There was serious gunshot in Abdul Limbo’s house in Ugwolawo ward 1, his house was also damaged,” said a resident, Abu Alijenu.

According to the victim, the hoodlums came to his house in the night and shot sporadically.

“In the process, they set the party’s official vehicle ablaze, vandalised Limbo’s personal car and carted away his valuables, including a generator.”

“I have reported the incident to the police,” he said.

Director-General of SDP campaign, Sheik Ibrahim Jibrin, who visited the scene of the incident, condemned the act.

Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi, SP William Aya, did not not respond to call and text.

Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election has said that President Bola Tinubu is shielding some information about his academic records,

He was reacting to a motion filed by President Tinubu challenging the Northern District of Illinois order directing the Chicago State University to release his academic records within two days.

The ruling of the court followed a case instituted by Atiku, who is challenging the victory of Tinubu.

However, the President, in a motion filed by his lawyers, argued that a magistrate should only report and recommend to the district judge in such matters and not to make a final order for immediate compliance.

In a statement on Friday, Ibe said: “It should be now obvious even to the blind that Tinubu is hiding something in his records at the Chicago State University, and even elsewhere.

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“I do hope whatever it may be, it will not be of a scope that will give Nigerians a heart attack. Nigerians will soon see the true position of Atiku on the records of Tinubu at CSU. It is just a matter of time.”

Atiku had on July 11 filed a petition seeking to obtain further details of Tinubu’s academic records at the Chicago State University.

Documents sought by former Vice President, through his counsel, Angela M. Liu, include record of his admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance including degrees, awards and honours attained by Tinubu at the university, among others.

Both Tinubu and the CSU had, through their lawyers, filed objections to the grant of the requests under privacy rules.