Presidential poll: Tribunal to consider PDP, LP’s live broadcast request

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on Tuesday gave an indication that it would consider the prayer of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party’s demand for a live broadcast of its proceedings.

The tribunal presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani asked the parties in the ongoing petitions to settle and decide on their objections, including the motion on notice filed by the PDP and its standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar requesting for the live broadcast of the presidential tribunal proceeding which began on Monday.

Tsammani gave the directive during Tuesday’s hearing when the matter was raised by counsel for the PDP and Atiku, Chris Uche, SAN. Speaking at the resumed pre-hearing session, the head of the five-man panel assured that the application for a live broadcast of the proceedings “will be considered together with the other issues.” The PDP and Atiku, in an application dated May 5, argued that televising the court sitting would enhance transparency and boost citizens’ confidence in the judicial process.

The PDP and Atiku are challenging the victory of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, in the February 25 presidential election on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission failed to electronically upload the election results as of the time the winner was declared. The respondents in the petition marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023, are the INEC, Tinubu and the APC.

Also, the LP and its candidate, Peter Obi claimed the ex-Lagos State governor did not secure at least one-quarter of the votes cast in the election in the Federal Capital Territory.

 

Source: Punch

 

 

10th NASS leadership: Crisis hits APC over zoning of Senate president, Speaker

The zoning crisis in the All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken a new turn with stakeholders singing discordant tunes as the various zones make fresh demands on the party hierarchy.

The APC National Working Committee, NWC, on Monday, zoned the Senate Presidency of the forthcoming 10th National Assembly to the South-South; and the Speakership of the House of Representatives to the North-West. The party also zoned the Deputy Senate Presidency to the North-West, and Deputy Speakership to the South-East.

Specifically, the party adopted the zoning template and candidates of its President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and settled for Senators Godswill Akpabio/ Barau Jubrin for Senate leadership; and Messrs Abass Tajudeen/Ben Kalu for House of Representatives leadership. While some stakeholders are in support of the party’s move, others are against it and want a review.

NWC divided

But the NWC is now divided over the micro-zoning of the positions. It emerged, yesterday night that the zoning template was not unanimously adopted by all members of the NWC. While many of the members did not exactly oppose Tinubu’s choice of geopolitical zones, they were said to have kicked against the micro-zoning of the leadership positions.

“It was indeed the thinking of some of us that anyone from the zones to which a particular office has been allocated can contest. We did not want a situation where positions would be given to individuals. This was why we also advised that there should be further consultations,” said an aggrieved member, who did not want his name mentioned for fear of possible repercussions.

He expressed concern that other aggressive contestants, particularly in the House of Representatives could team up to produce a formidable opposition to the adopted candidate, Tajudeen Abbas.

 

Source: Vanguard

 

 

BREAKING: Oyetola Reacts To Adeleke’s Supreme Court Victory

Former Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has accepted the ruling of the Supreme Court which upheld the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke as Governor of the State. Naija News earlier reported that the apex court on Tuesday affirmed Adeleke, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16, 2022, gubernatorial election, as the Osun Governor.

The five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Okoro upheld the ruling of the Court of Appeal which affirmed Adeleke as governor of Osun state. In the judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that Oyetola failed to adduce enough evidence to prove his allegation of overvoting in the July 16, 2022 governorship poll.

Reacting in a statement he personally signed, Oyetola said although the verdict of the Apex Court was against the wish of his party’s members and supporters, he accepted it in the interest of peace and development of the State. He said: “We strongly believe we presented a good case before the Supreme Court but the Court thought otherwise and has given its verdict. While the outcome is against our wish and that of our party members and supporters, we are all bound to accept it as law-abiding citizens.

“To our members and supporters across the State, I urge you all to accept the verdict of the Court and move on. The present situation is a win-win for us. It’s both a loss and victory rolled into one. While we lost Osun technically, we gained Nigeria.” Oyetola asked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters not to feel sad and depressed over the decision of the Court.

The former governor encouraged them to brace up for the tasks ahead of the party. He also appreciated the leadership of the party in the State and at the national level for their commitment and support throughout the period of the legal tussle. Oyetola said: “I remain committed to the growth and development of Osun. I will therefore continue to work with well-meaning citizens of Osun, associations and institutions to facilitate development to our dear State. Similarly, I urge all citizens of Osun to continue to exhibit the Omoluabi ethos and uphold the dreams of our forebears for the State, irrespective of party affiliations.

“To the Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the Supreme Court. While I pray for your tenure to be prosperous for our people and the State, I urge you to focus on delivery of good governance.

“Politics aside, time has come to let you know that the interest of the masses must be most paramount without any restriction or discrimination whether based on political persuasion, creed or religion. Whatever personal differences we have must give way to the advancement of our great State. The security of Osun people must be guaranteed regardless of their religious and political affiliations. I pray for peace and progress in your tenure.”

 

 

Source: Naija News