There is tension in Taraba State, especially among the political actors as the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Jalingo, the State capital, is set to deliver judgement.

The tribunal has finally slated September 30 to rule on the petition filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and its gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election, Professor Sani Yahaya, against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Governor Agbu Kefas.

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NNPP and its guber candidate had dragged both the PDP and Governor Kefas to the tribunal on the ground that the election was marred by pockets of malpractices.

Yahaya prayed the tribunal to nullify the entire exercise and allow for a fresh governorship election in the state.

The date for the judgement is coming barely two weeks after both parties adopted their final written addresses before the tribunal chaired by Justice G.A Sunmonu.

Some persons, especially from the PDP camp who spoke with our reporter, said they have every reason to be anxious about the coming judgement.

The party’s spokesperson, Andeta’rang Irammae, said, “there is anxiety because of the current trends of dispensing justice in Nigeria.

“There is every reason to be anxious, but we are prayerful and we believe God will see us through.”

On their part, some members of the NNPP also confirmed that there is anxiety in the party’s camp.

The national assembly election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu on Wednesday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Ada Ogbu challenging the declaration and return of Senator Sir. Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared Senator Chukwu winner of the march 18 election for Enugu East Senatorial Zone after he garnerd a total of 69,487 votes to defeat his closest rival who was also Enugu former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani of the PDP.

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Ada Ogbu, candidate of the APC who came distant third in the election is alleging non compliance with the electoral act, 2022.

Delivering her judgment on the petition, the three man tribunal agreed that the issue of nomination is a pre-election matter which the court has no jurisdiction to entertain.

Daily Gazette correspondent reports that the court further ruled that the Petitioners couldn’t prove their case as it was grossly incompetent and vague.

It however struck out all the grounds of the petition and subsequently dismissed same for lacking in merit.

The national assembly election petitions tribunal sitting in Enugu has struck out the suit filed by Chimaroke Nnamani, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Senator Kelvin Chukwu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Chukwu, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of the Enugu East Senatorial district poll after he secured over 69,000 votes to defeat former governor of Enugu state, Chimaroke Nnamani who got about 49,000 votes.

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However, Nnamani had alleged that the election was marred by over-voting, irregularities, election malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral guidelines.

The founder of the Ebeano political family also urged the court to declare him the rightful winner of the election or declare as invalid the results of the polls.

Delivering its ruling on Wednesday, the tribunal upheld Senator Kelvin Chukwu’s victory.

The tribunal also awarded a cost of N500,000 against the petitioners in favour of the three respondents, Kelvin Chukwu, Labour Party and INEC.

The three man honourable Justices unanimously dismissed the petition for being vague, lacking in merit, incompetent, generic and academic exercise.

Ondo state deputy governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has finally been served the allegation letter of alleged gross misconduct.

Aiyedatiwa was expected to respond to the letter within seven days.

Recall that the assembly directed the Clerk to write the deputy governor over the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against him while he held sway as the acting governor of the state.

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Some members of the assembly have petitioned the deputy governor over the allegation of gross misconduct.

lt was alleged that Aiyedatiwa reportedly approved N300 million for the purchase of a bulletproof SUV for his personal use.

Recall that the governor travelled to Germany for medical treatment for three months.

Aiyedatiwa was alleged to have ordered the N300 million to be sourced from the Palliative fund, which was from the Federal government to the state in order to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

But Aiyedatiwa has since denied the allegation, describing it as a fabricated lies.

However, vanguard gathered that the letter was received in his office at exactly 316pm today( Monday) after several days of evading service.

Reports had it that members of staff of his office refused to collect the allegation letter from the Clerk of the House, Jaiyeola Benjamin saying they were acting on instructions.

However, Aiyedatiwa, had this morning in a statement, said that he was yet to receive the letter.

According to him ” It is pertinent to put on record that as of today, Monday, September 25, 2023, I have not received any official communication or any “letter of allegations of gross misconduct” from the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“I find it especially worrying that the spokesman of the House of Assembly would go on national television to speak on such a matter without any evidence to show that such letter has been delivered to me. More disturbing is the fact that even when he was asked if the letter had been delivered, he gave no coherent answer.

“A sensitive constitutional matter of this nature; the impeachment process should not be conducted on the pages of newspapers and television screens.

“In effect, I reiterate that if such “letter of allegations of gross misconduct” against me exists, I have not seen it and I have not been served. I therefore urge Mr. Speaker, The Honourable Chief Judge of Ondo State and members of the public to take note.

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The Speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Er Hon Olamide Oladiji, has raised the alarm that his life is under threat over the impeachment notice served by the deputy governor of the state, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct.

Rt. Hon Oladiji raised the alarm in Akure after some fetish objects were dumped in front of the gate of his residence, at midnight on SundayAdvertorial

The fetish objects were dumped at the gate of the Speaker lodge, ahead of the plenary to commence the impeachment of the deputy governor, tomorrow (Tuesday)

This development created apprehension in the state, as residents discuss it in hushed tones.

Following the scary development, the speaker, has called on the security agencies to save his soul and that of other members of the House following threats to their lives since the commencement of the impeachment process against the State’s Deputy Governor,

According to him, “Early this morning, his attention was drawn together a ritual sacrifice placed In front of his official lodge.”

The lodge which” requires renovation is only used sometimes for Parliamentary meetings.

“I have not been using the place except sometimes for parliamentary meetings. At least, we have been there for more than two times for meeting but I don’t sleep there because the place requires overhauling with its present state.

“Early this morning, we discovered that a sacrifice was placed in the lodge. Aside that, I have been receiving strange calls from strange people threatening my life and other members. There have been a lot of pressure on me.

“I am using the medium to tell the world that my life is under threat. I call on the security operatives to checkmate these people who have been threatening my life and other members.

“This threat started since the day we began the impeachment notice . I have already reported to NSCDC among others security agencies”

The Speaker, also debunked the rumour that the lawmakers collected N5 million to initiate the impeachment process

Rt Hon Oladiji said that the 10th Assembly under his watch will not compromise on such sensitive matter.

“Whenever there is an impeachment case like this, people think that the executive must have lured the legislature to begin the process.

” I want to tell the whole world that we did not receive any gratification from anybody or anywhere. We are doing our work as lawmakers

“We appropriate and at the same time, monitor what we appropriate. Let me tell you, 26 lawmakers have now signed the letter which we will serve the deputy governor today”

“The House will today serve the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa a letter on the alleged gross misconduct.”

The Speaker noted that the House was unable to serve the Deputy Governor the Notice since the commencement of the process last week.

He, however, said that the house has now secured court affidavit which gives the house a legitimate right to serve the Deputy Governor.

According to him “all the 26 lawmakers have appended their signature on the petition. The Deputy Governor is expected to reply the house within seven days of notice.