Politics
Election Petitions And The Withdrawal Syndrome
The Election Petition Tribunal in Rivers State received a total of 40 Election Petitions from aggrieved parties and defeated candidates following the outcome of the April general elections in the country.
A break down of the Election Petitions showed that the Governorship Election Tribunal headed by Hon. Justice Amina Wambai, received a total of four election petitions from the candidates of All Grand Progressive Alliance (AGPA), Sir Celestine Omehia; Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Abiye Sekibo; Action Alliance (AA), Chief Aleruchi Williams; and African Political System (APS), Chief Felix Amadi, all of them challenging the declaration of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the Governorship poll in the state.
The National/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal received a total of 36 Petitions following the outcome of the April 9th and 26th Elections respectively in the state.
However, of these number, the National Assembly Election had 14 election Petitions challenging various candidates declared winners, while the State Assembly had 22 Election Petitions challenging the declared Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Due to the high numbers of the National/State Assembly Election Petitions in the state, the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami set up two National State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals.
The reason was to enable the tribunals perform effectively and achieve maximum result within the time limit of 180 days to deliver judgement in accordance with the relevant provisions under the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended, and the Practice Directions Notice 2011.
But to the dismay of members of the Election Petition Tribunal, some aggrieved political parties and candidates had withdrawn their petitions filed before the tribunals. For instance, the petition No. EPT/GOV/PH/2/2011, filed by Golden Tamuno (Esq) for Dr. Abiye Sekibo and the ACN in the state challenging the declaration of Governor Amaechi of the ruling PDP as the winner of the April Governorship poll in the state was rather dismissed by the Tribunal, instead of the withdrawal as sought by the petitioner, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and the ACN.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Chairman, Hon. Justice Amina Wambai, who read the ruling, dismissed the petition as well as the motion notice seeking the withdrawal of the petitioner’s petition.
Hon. Justice Wambai said: “the Petitioner failed to apply for the pre-hearing notice within the stipulated period of 7 days under the first schedule Form TF 008 Electoral Act 2010 as amended and, therefore, in the eye of the law, the petitioner was deemed to have abandoned his petition filed before this tribunal”.
Dr, Abiye Sekibo on the contrary claimed that his petition against the declaration of Governor Amaechi as the winner of the April poll was withdrawn on personal ground and not dismissed by the Election Petition Tribunal.
Sekibo was quoted to have said that his petition at the Election Petition Tribunal was withdrawn on personal ground the reality of ACN frustration in the hands of the Electoral Umpire the INEC.
Also withdrawn was Petition No. EPT/NASE/PH/3/2011 filed by Ayo Akan, Counsel to Chief Dr. Nomate Kpea, Senatorial candidate in the National Assembly election under the umbrella of the ACN challenging Senator Magnus Abe of the Peoples PDP winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Dr. Kpea said shortly after filing his motion on notice for the withdrawal of his Petition that “ I took the decision to withdraw my petition for the sake of unity in Ogoniland”.
Kpea further said: I seek to withdraw my petition against the election of Senator Magnus Abe for the sake of development of Ogoniland and for us collectively to tackle the menace of poverty and unemployment among our people.
The ACN Senatorial candidate rather assured the people of his constituency to work selflessly and cooperatively with Senator Magnus Abe to achieve sustainable development and economic empowerment for the people in the District.
Similarly, Chief Shadrack Akolokwu, the ACN Senatorial Candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District filed Motion on Notice for the withdrawal of his petition against the Election of Senator Wilson Ake of the PDP.
In his affidavit for discontinuance of the Petition, Chief Shadrack Akolokwu stated “personal reasons for the withdrawal of his petition”.
Also in the House of Representatives, election Opuada Inko-Tariah, candidate of the ACN withdrew his petition. He had earlier challenged the election of Dr. Dawari George, the declared winner of Asari Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency.
It was same for Pastor (Mrs) Nancy Nwankwo, candidate of the ACN for the Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency in the April Polls, who also challenged the declaration of Chief Barry Mpigi of the PDP as the winner of the April poll Tai/Eleme Oyigbo Federal Constituency.
Her petition before the Tribunal was also withdrawn for what she claimed was based on her “personal conviction to discontine the case challenging the Electoral victory of Chief Mpigi”.
In the Federal House of Representative Election Petition case No. EPT/NAHR/PH/7/2011 filed by Chief Ambrose Nwuzi, candidate of ACN against the election of Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke of the PDP was withdrawn on personal ground. Chief Emma Nwanyanwu had prevailed on him to withdraw the petition against the electoral victory of Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke in the interest of unity of Etche/Omuma people.
Chief Emma Nwanyanwu said : “Chief Ambrose Nwuzi and Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke are illustrious sons of Etche Ethnic Nationality with common vision and passion for service for their people. Therefore, we, Elders and stakeholders, resolved that two of them should settle out of court.
Reacting to the syndrome of withdrawal of Petitions by various aggrieved political parties and their candidates, Mr. Lebari John, Lecturer at the State University of Education, said: “the withdrawal of some of the petitions by the petitioners are good for the political development of the state”.
He further said: “it is good for the opposition to critise where necessary and support the State Governor for the progress and development of the state”.
A constitutional lawyer, Mr. Frank Igodo said: “The withdrawals will greatly reduce the workload of the Election Petition Tribunal, and it will enable the tribunal to deliver and exhaust the load of petitions before it within the 180 days assigned to them under the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended.
Philip Wuwu Okparaji
Politics
Atiku Quits PDP, Says Decision Heartbreaking

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa state.
Alhaji Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Alhaji Abubakar said.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future”, he added.
Alhaji Abubakar’s resignation from the PDP comes days after the opposition coalition politicians adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 elections.
Among the coalition leaders are Rotimi Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor; and John Oyegun, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others include Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, among others.
Politics
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
A group, ‘Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF),’ has intensified calls on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CBSF which comprises members of various political parties, non-partisan citizens and residents of the state also has non-indigenes and people from different religious organisations as members.
Speaking at a world press conference held in Yenagoa, the State capital on Tuesday, the group, through its convener who doubles as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, passed a confidence vote on Governor Diri, commending his selfless service to the State and the Ijaw nation.
Mr Ikuli averred that there was need for the state to align with the federal government. Citing the benefits of having a government at the centre that can attract development to the state, he noted that the PDP at the national level had been long enmeshed in crisis.
“The current leadership of the PDP under whose platform the governor is leading the state has been hijacked by few individuals. This poses threats to the interest of the state.
“Presently, our state is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of the South South region. The above may not be too much an issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsa in 2027, particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the nomination of all candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“ It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show southern solidarity with other southern governors who are with Mr. President”, the group said.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualisation of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity. In the next few days we shall begin a daily rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
“Finally, His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritising that of the state and the entire Ijaw nation.
“ We wish to reassure His Excellency that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, we shall move forward”, the CBSF added.
The group thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ijaw sons and daughters into key positions, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), amongst others.
Meanwhile, the CBSF has also charged Governor Diri to prioritize the actualization of the Agge Deep Seaport project, saying it will boost the economy of the state and bring about transformation and prosperity, noting, however, that plans have reached advanced stages for the CBSF to hit the streets of Yenagoa with rallies with a view to prevailing on the governor to defect to the APC.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Politics
Nasarawa Speaker Advocates Conducive Executive/Legislature Relations

The Speaker made the call on Wednesday while hosting councillors from the 13 local government areas of the State in his residence in Lafia, the state capital.
Rt Hon. Jatau said that a good working relationship among the arms of government at the council level was key to development, hence, the need for his call in that direction.
He appreciated the councillors for condoling with him over the death of his younger sister, Hajaratu Jatau, and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
“I started as a councillor, and today I am the Speaker. There is the need for a good working relationship between you and the elected chairmen for development to thrive at the grassroots. It is in view of this that I want to call on you to give your elected chairmen all the necessary and needed support to succeed. For development to thrive at the grassroots, you must embrace one another and see yourselves as team players,” the Speaker said.
Rt Hon. Jatau also called on them to coexist peacefully among themselves and continue to drum up support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
Besides, he assured them that the state government would soon organise training for them to deliver effective service.
Rt Hon. Jatau also assured them that the state government would pay them their furniture allowance, as well as other benefits, to enhance their legislative work.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Councillors Forum, Mohammed Madaki, who is the Leader of Lafia LGA Legislative Assembly, said that the visit was to identify with the Speaker over the death of his sister.
The leader of the delegation urged the Speaker to see the death of his sister as an act of God and bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Madaki assured the Speaker of their loyalty and support at all times.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Speaker to intervene in the training of the councillors as well as the payment of their furniture allowance.
-
Politics23 hours ago
Natasha’s Counsel Writes Senate Over Court Judgment
-
Nation22 hours ago
NIPR Practitioners Urge To Go Beyond Traditional Media Relations To Strategic Leadership Functions
-
Politics23 hours ago
Bayelsa APC Hails Late Buhari As Change Agent In Nigerian Politics
-
News20 hours ago
South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute
-
Niger Delta22 hours ago
Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover Pistol In A’Ibom
-
Politics22 hours ago
INEC Trains Political Parties Officials On ICNP Use Ahead By-Elections
-
Business23 hours ago
Replace Nipa Palms With Mangroove In Ogoni, Group Urges FG, HYPREP
-
Business20 hours ago
NCDMB, Dangote Refinery Unveil JTC On Deepening Local Content