Politics

Oyo South Senatorial District: Ajimobi May Reclaim Mandate As Irregularities Were Made Manifest

Published

5 years ago

August 9, 2019

admin

Feelers from Oyo South Senatorial District Election Petition Tribunal showed that it is not yet over, as former Governor Abiola Ajimobi may reclaim mandate.

The former governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) party’s candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, lost the senatorial bid to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Kola Balogun.

Mr Balogun, at the just concluded National Assembly election defeated his closest rival, Sen Abiola Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress, with a vote difference of 13,141

The PDP candidate scored a total of 105,720 votes while the candidate of the APC secured 92,579 votes as declared by the Returning Officer, Prof Kolawole Akinsola of the University of Ibadan.

Meanwhile, Ajimobi while congratulating the PDP candidate, Balogun, noted that there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices.

However, not satisfied with the outcome of the election, the ex-Oyo state gaffer had approached the Election Petition Tribunal to sought solid legal redress in order to reclaim his mandate.

Interestingly, Chief Akin Olujimi SAN, the leading counsel to Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, during cross examinations, has not only successfully demonstrated; but established before the tribunal panel that the said election was marred with irregularities.

On Monday, 29th July, 2019, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) closed their cases. While closing its case (PDP), the PDP lawyer, Lekan Ojo SAN observed that there were typographical errors on some paragraphs in his reply to the petition, which include Paragraph II, requesting that the word ‘petitioner’ supposed to read ‘Respondent’, a prayer which was granted by by the Tribunal Panel.

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Shortly after the prayer had been granted by the lordships, it was time for cross examinations which eventually ended in mild drama.

Lekan Ojo SAN led the PDP agent, one Mr. Adebiyi through his submission that the election was properly conducted, free and fair. The party’s counsel, also asked the witness if he agreed that both the voters register and card reader were used for accreditation during the election which he answered in the affirmative, ‘Yes, my lord’

Few minutes after, it was the turn of the Petitioner Counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi SAN to cross examined the PDP witness.

Olujimi SAN : Witness, you said you were the PDP agent in the election

Witness (PDP Agent): Yes, my lord

Olujimi SAN : You also said earlier that voters register and card reader were used.

Witness: Yes, my lord

Olujimi SAN: Now, look at Exhibit P58 (2), (a document which was given to the witness).
The total number of accredited voters is what?

Witness (PDP Agent) : 136. The witness was later referred to Page 74, showing the card reader reports, but replied, “I didn’t see it”

Olujimi SAN: You didn’t see or what? Look at Page 74 properly, the total number of accreditation on the card reader reports is 132.

Can you see that 136 is higher than 132 ?

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Witness (PDP Agent): Yes, my lord

Another PDP witness, an agent named Adebayo Taofeek (NW4/Ogunpa Labaowo, South West Local Government) was led by the party’s lawyer through his submissions in his earlier reply sworn on oath.

Having prayed for the court to adopt it and granted

The witness also testified that the election was properly conducted, and that it was free and fair.

Thereafter, the Petitioner counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi SAN further cross examined him .

Olujimi SAN: Witness, check form EC8A, what is the total number of accredited voters?

Witness: 199

Olujimi SAN: Look at column six, what is the total number of rejected ballot papers?

Witness: 7

Olujimi SAN: Sum up valid votes and rejected ballot papers on Column seven. I.e Valid votes (199) + Rejected Votes (7)

Witness: 206 (Total number of accredited voters)

Olujimi SAN: Witness, look at Exhibit P146 (B) for Voters register. The total number of voters ticked is 227.

You said earlier that the card reader and voters register were used. Now, you can see that the two are not thesame

Though, the PDP lawyer, had earlier promised to present five witnesses to the court, but closed his case after two witnesses had earlier been cross examined .

Having closed their cases, the legal team has discovered and demonstrated plethora of irregularities, over-voting, cancellation, creation of illegal additional polling Units among others. If valid votes are counted as discovered in the Tribunal, Ajimobi may coast to victory.

However, there are only possible rulings on the matter and they are :

ALSO READ Oyo 2019: PDP is breaking my heart || By Owolabi Oluyori

1. Ajimobi being declared outright Winner

2. Rerun election outrightly or in specific units/wards.

3. Dr. Balogun retaining the mandate.

Time will tell, the tribunal panel has demonstrated great professionalism and clear understanding of the rule of laws and impartiality in handling the matter.

The Panel has further directed the parties involved in the matter to write their final addresses as the adoption of addresses is billed for 19th August, 2019, after which a date would be agreed on for the ruling or judgment.

(C) Mega Icon Magazine

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Politics

Insider Claims: Ex-minister Shittu reveals manipulations, fraudulent approvals under Buhari

Published

14 hours ago

May 7, 2024

admin

Former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has made startling claims regarding alleged manipulations and fraudulent activities during the previous administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

Despite serving as a minister under Buhari’s government, Shittu has voiced concerns over what he perceives as individuals close to the former Nigerian president exploiting their positions for personal gain, resulting in adverse effects on the country’s economy.

In an interview on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine, the ex-minister asserted, “Let me tell you, there were a lot of manipulations and we even heard that a lot of the so-called approvals did not emanate from President Buhari.”

He addressed allegations circulating about the previous government resorting to printing money to sustain the economy, stating, “There were a lot of manipulations and fraudulent approvals which did not emanate from the President.”

Shittu remained resolute in his claims, emphasising, “I am telling you confidently that a lot of it did not get his attention.”

He further alleged, “There were a lot of people around the President who exploited their relationship with the President and conspired with the then-CBN governor.”

Politics

Putin sworn in for unprecedented fifth presidential term

Published

14 hours ago

May 7, 2024

AFP

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian president-elect Vladimir Putin takes the oath of office during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, 2024. (Photo by Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin was Tuesday sworn into office at a lavish Kremlin ceremony for a record-breaking fifth term with more power than ever before.

The 71-year-old has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a fresh six-year mandate in March after winning presidential elections devoid of all opposition.

In his inauguration speech, Putin said that Russia would emerge from the current “difficult” period victorious and stronger, as he took power for a record fifth presidential term.

“We will pass through this difficult, decisive period with dignity and become even stronger,” Putin said at his inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin, attended by an AFP journalist.

“We are a united and great nation,” Putin said in an upbeat speech, to applause from an audience of around 2,500 people including officials and military top brass.

“Together we will overcome all obstacles, achieve everything we have planned, and together we will win,” he said.

He said after being sworn into office that he viewed the presidency as a “huge honour, responsibility and sacred duty”.

The Russian leader vowed to ensure “sustained and stable development, unity and independence of the country”.

Putin thanked soldiers taking part in what Russia calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, more than two years after it began on February 24, 2022, at a ceremony attended by some of those fighting.

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“We are looking forward confidently,” Putin stressed in his speech, which was aired on national television.

Evoking the country’s “thousand-year history” as he spoke in the Kremlin’s gilded St Andrew’s Hall, the president said that present-day Russians owed a debt to previous generations who achieved “such triumphs that inspire us today”.

He said Russians shared a “firm conviction that we ourselves alone will determine the fate of Russia for the sake of present and future generations”.

Russia is “not refusing dialogue with western states” and is ready to talk about “questions of security and strategic stability”, Putin said, “but only on equal terms, respecting the interests of each other”.

Politics

PDP chieftain, Aminu congratulates elected Oyo LG chairmen, councilors

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

admin

Hon. Lukmon Aminu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency of Oyo state, has extended his congratulations to the newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councilors across the 33 local government councils.

The official announcement of the election results by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) on April 27th marked a significant victory for the PDP, prompting Aminu to commend Governor Seyi Makinde and the party’s governing council for their success at the polls.

Aminu’s statement, released on Thursday, not only lauded the electoral victory but also praised the active participation of party members and the peaceful conduct of voters throughout the entire process.

He stressed the importance of the newly elected officials recognising their roles as a call to service, particularly in this critical time.

In his message to the newly appointed chairmen, Aminu urged them to uphold fairness and justice, transcending political affiliations, and to remain focused on fulfilling their commitments to the electorate.

He emphasised that true development begins at the grassroots level, urging them to prioritise the needs of their communities.

Expressing gratitude to the electorate for their overwhelming support of the PDP and its candidates, Aminu underscored the significance of citizen participation in the democratic process.

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