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BREAKING NEWS : APPEAL COURT QUASHES DISQUALIFICATION OF IKENGA IMO UGOCHINYERE AS IDEATO REPS, UNANIMOUSLY AFFIRMS HIS ELECTION AS MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPS

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IKENGA UGOCHINYERE
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APPEAL COURT DECLARES IKENGA UGOCHINYERE INDISPUTABLE WINNER OF IDEATO HOUSE OF REPS SEAT, QUASHES HIS DISQUALIFICATION, DESCRIBES APC /LP MOVE TO COME FROM 3RD POSITION TO ATTEMPT ST£Al HIS POPULAR MANDATE. As he wrote on his Instagram page.

 

Recall that on Sept 10,2023 The Imo Sate National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sacked Ikenga Ugochinyere, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a unanimous decision on Sunday, a three-member panel of the tribunal which conducted its proceedings in Nasarawa State, held that Ugochinyere was not validly nominated by the PDP to contest the Ideato North/South Federal Constituency election that held on February 25.

Consequently, it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to within 90 days, conduct a supplementary election in the constituency.

The tribunal, in its lead judgement that was delivered by its Chairman, Justice Anthony Olotu Akpovi, specifically directed the electoral body to conduct the supplementary poll in 55 polling units where elections did not hold on February 25.

It held that the PDP and its candidate should be excluded from the supplementary election.

The judgement followed a petition that was lodged before the tribunal by candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Abazu Chika Benson.

Cited as 1st to 5th respondents in the petition marked: EPT/IM/HR/10/2023, were; INEC, Ugochinyere, PDP, candidate of the Labour Party, Obi Paschal Chigozie and his party, the LP.

It will be recalled that INEC had declared the PDP candidate, Ugochinyere, as winner of the election with a total of 13, 026 votes.

Whereas the candidate of the LP, Chigozie, came second with 5,696 votes, the petitioner who was sponsored by the APC, came third with a total of 2, 368 votes.

However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, the APC candidate filed a petition wherein he contended that Ugochinyere was not qualified to participate in the House of Reps contest.

The petitioner, among other things, argued that all the votes that were credited to the PDP candidate, amounted to wasted votes.

He told the tribunal that contrary to the express provision of the Electoral Act, the PDP, conducted its primary election in a venue that was outside the constituency.

In its judgement, the tribunal stressed that documentary and oral evidence that was laid before it, established that the primary election the PDP conducted on May 25, 2022, which produced Ugochinyere as its candidate, was held at Aladinma Shopping Mall, a location that was outside Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.

Relying on the provision of section 84 (5) (c)of the Electoral Act 2022, the tribunal held that PDP’s primary election was invalid.

It held that a valid candidate could not have emerged from an invalid primary election.

“Failure of the 3rd respondent (PDP) to abide by the sacrosanct provision of the Electoral Act invalidated its sponsorship of the 2nd respondent,” Justice Akpovi held.

The tribunal maintained that for a primary election to be valid, it must be done in compliance with section 29 (1) of the Electoral Act.

It held that in view of the fact that Ugochinyere was not validly nominated, he was, therefore, not qualified as at the time the House of Reps election held.

More so, the tribunal held that owing to the principle of margin of lead, candidate of the LP, Chigozie, could but be declared the winner of the seat, since INEC admitted that it could not hold election in 55 polling units in the constituency, owing to activities of unknown gunmen.

It, therefore, directed INEC to conduct supplementary poll in the remaining polling units with a the parties participating, except the PDP.

Other members of the panel that concurred with the lead judgement, were; Justices Usman Kudu and Ibrahim Mohammed.

But on  November 8 The judicial triumph was brought to an end

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Politics

INEC Chairman Advocates Stronger Regional Collaboration, As ECONEC’s General Assembly Begins in Gambia

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April 10, 2025

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By Nathaniel Gana

Thursday 10th April 2025

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called for stronger ties and deeper collaboration among Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in the West African sub-region. According to him, working more closely together is key to deepening democratic governance across the region.

Prof. Yakubu made this call on Thursday 10th April 2025 in Banjul, capital of the Republic of Gambia, where he is attending the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).

Among other items listed on the agenda, member countries will review and adopt a revised draft of the ECONEC statutes at the meeting. One of the significant proposals for consideration at the meeting is the creation of Africa’s first-ever electoral resource-sharing database, an innovative move aimed at boosting collaboration and capacity-building across the continent.

Speaking to his fellow electoral commissioners, Prof. Yakubu, who previously served as president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure. He also took a moment to honour past members of the Network who contributed to strengthening democratic institutions not just in their home countries but across Africa. He praised the current leadership for their commitment and dedication in keeping the Network active and relevant.

Looking back on ECONEC’s 2017 meeting in Sierra Leone, Prof. Yakubu recalled how he had proudly announced that every country in the sub-region was under democratic rule. Sadly, he observed, that was no longer the case. He regretted that today, four countries in the region are no longer practicing democracy. Notwithastanding, Prof. Yakubu remains optimistic and expressed the hope that democracy would soon return to the affected nations.

He also informed the Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC, because his tenure ends later this year. He thanked his colleagues and the Network as a whole for their unwavering support and collaboration over the years, urging them to continue upholding the values of electoral integrity and regional unity.

Several EMB heads also added their voices to the call for deeper regional collaboration. In their individual remarks, they applauded ECONEC for its continued technical support to their respective countries and its vital role in sustaining democratic governance across West Africa.

The Extraordinary General Assembly drew together the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the EMBs from the Republic of Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

While in Banjul, Prof. Yakubu is also scheduled to join the current ECONEC President, Mr. Konneh Mohamed Kenewui of Sierra Leone, for a series of visits to key stakeholders, including the government of The Gambia as part of ECONEC’s Needs Assessment Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election in 2026.

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BREAKING: Alleged assassination plot: Akpabio petitions IGP, demands Natasha’s prosecution

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April 10, 2025

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as a “criminally defamatory and inciting” allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused him of plotting her assassination.

In the petition dated April 3 and copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akpabio described the claims as “heinous lies” intended to damage his reputation, incite public unrest, and endanger his life.

The controversy stems from a public speech by Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 1 in Kogi State, where she alleged that Akpabio had directed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her within Kogi State in order to make it appear that her constituents were behind the attack.

Responding to the accusation, Akpabio stated in his petition: “This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest.”

He added that the allegation, made without evidence, was politically motivated and designed to manipulate public sentiment.

“It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain,” he said.

Akpabio called for an immediate police investigation and urged the prosecution of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan under laws covering criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The Senate President also stressed the impact of the allegation due to its widespread coverage on TV, radio, print, and social media.

“The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he said.

He concluded the petition by stating the need to hold public officials accountable for statements capable of undermining national peace and democratic institutions.

This latest clash between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan follows an earlier controversy in which she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment — a claim that contributed to her suspension from the upper legislative chamber for alleged misconduct.

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES ALIKO DANGOTE, AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL ICON, ON HIS BIRTHDAY

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April 10, 2025

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STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES ALIKO DANGOTE, AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL ICON, ON HIS BIRTHDAY

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Africa’s foremost industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, founder and President of the Dangote Group, on his birthday.

The President celebrates the life of a visionary whose resilience and unwavering commitment to Africa’s economic transformation have redefined entrepreneurship on the continent.

President Tinubu commends Alhaji Dangote for his contributions to Nigeria’s industrialisation effort, noting how his ventures-from cement manufacturing to agriculture and the groundbreaking Dangote Refinery-have bolstered the national ambition for self-sufficiency and created thousands of jobs.

Beyond commerce, the President extols Dangote’s philanthropy, mainly through the Dangote Foundation, which has uplifted millions of underprivileged Africans.

“Aliko Dangote’s life embodies hard work, generosity, and faith in Nigeria’s potential. His willingness to invest in people and nation- building reflects profound business ingenuity and love for humanity,” the President states.

President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will continue to bless Africa’s richest man with vitality, wisdom, and many more years of impact.

He encourages younger Nigerians to draw inspiration from Dangote’s enterprise, resilience, and service.a

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
April 10, 2025

 

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