Politics

Election Petitions And The Withdrawal Syndrome

Published

14 years ago

July 29, 2011

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But to the dismay of members of the Election Petition Tribunal, some aggrieved political parties and candidates had withdrawn their petitions filed before the tribunals.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

Cleric Tasks APC On Internal Stability, Warns Otti

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

In a dramatic escalation of spiritual commentary on Nigeria’s shifting political climate, the General Overseer of Light of the World International Church, Prophet Joshua Arogun, has issued a stern prophetic alert concerning the internal workings of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the political trajectory of Abia State.

Speaking during a weekend prayer gathering in Lagos, the prophet delivered what he described as “a message directly from the throne of heaven,” urging political actors across the country not to ignore the warning signs unfolding in the nation’s political sphere.

Echoing earlier prophecies from other religious voices, Prophet Arogun raised concerns about the APC’s internal stability under its current national leadership.

According to him, divine scrutiny has intensified over the party, and any attempt to manipulate its internal democratic systems would spell disaster at the polls.

“Heaven is watching the process, not just the outcome. Any undemocratic means of bringing candidates into the APC such as imposition, manipulation, or forced consensus will trigger an automatic loss at the polls. This is a spiritual law already activated”, the prophet declared.

He insisted that the party’s future electoral fortunes would depend not on money or alliances, but on fairness, transparency, and genuine respect for the will of party members.

Turning to Abia State, Prophet Arogun delivered what many congregants described as a precise and unusually direct message.

He warned that the state was heading into a period of intense political realignment, marked by a clash between entrenched and emerging power blocs.

According to him, even if the sitting governor, Dr. Alex Otti, joins the APC, he must be ready to submit himself to a full and competitive primary rather than expecting a free pass.

“If Governor Otti joins the APC, he should come with humility and readiness to participate in the full electoral process. There are long-standing leaders in Abia State with structures, deep grassroots loyalty, and the capacity to unseat him if he underestimates them. People like Nkiru Onyejeocha and Orji Uzor Kalu are deeply rooted with massive follower-ship and acceptance by the people”, Prophet Arogun warned.

He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.

Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.

“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.

Politics

DEFECTION: DON’T HIDE UNDER OLD SENTIMENTS TO FIGHT DIRI – AIDE

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State governor on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Wisdom Ikuli, has taken a swipe on persons he alleged were hiding under the guise of old sentiments to fight the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

He said one thing politicians of various divides in the state have forgotten was that before the inception of the administration of the governor, leadership and governance in the state were made the exclusive rights and preserves of just a few political actors.

Hon. Ikuli alleged that participation in active politics, which seemed to have been the only ticket and guarantee for government patronage in the state, has changed since the inception of the Senator Diri’s administration.

“Before the ‘ASSURED Prosperity’ administration of his excellency, Senator Douye Diri, there were two broad categories of Bayelsans: politicians and beneficiaries of government patronage and spectators. But the coming into office of the prosperity governor changed all these and gave all Bayelsans equal opportunity and access to government.

“There’re incidents and situations where public officers even referred to state resources as their money. It was so because they were the then Chief Custodians of the commonwealth and patrimony of the state who were elected to hold and also manage the resources in trust.

“Few years ago, there was less emphasis on competence and performance. It was a case of ‘my turn versus wait for your turn’ to do whatever you like.

“Again, it was a known fact that Bayelsa State was regularly in the news for negative reasons. So, the lack or near absence of development and the negative impressions about the state resulted in her isolation, but the advent of the ‘ASSURED Prosperity Administration’ has changed the whole narrative.

“Under the ASSURED Prosperity administration, government and governance is all inclusive. All Bayelsans are partakers and critical stakeholders. As a matter of fact, you do not need to know anyone in government to get available benefits that are always thrown open to all, irrespective of political party affiliations”, he added.

The governor’s aide, who described him as ‘God sent’, noted that Senator Diri was specifically brought in by God for the mission to change the story of the State and her citizens.

“What is happening in Bayelsa State is exactly what happened in Akwa Ibom State, where at a point, Akwa Ibomites were ashamed to introduce themselves as Akwa Ibomites. Most of them claimed their old identity as people from Cross River State. And so it was that God brought Senator Godswill Akpabio to change the story of his state when he was governor.

“Today, Gov. Douye Diri has turned the whole of Bayelsa State to a construction site with roads and bridges criss-crossing everywhere. Government’s edifices, health centres, primary and secondary school buildings are not counted as major projects in the Diri’s administration, and I say so because they are almost countless, and are everywhere.

“Sadly and unfortunately too, some insignificant leaders without positive impacts on their people are trying to create impressions that Gov. Douye Diri left the PDP that gave him a platform to the APC. For this group of leaders and their followers that make up less than 5% of Bayelsans, their only credential is that they have remained in PDP for eternity.

“Bayelsans are not gullible. Vast majority of the people of the state know that political party is like a vehicle that conveys people from one destination to another. What is most important is the destination where available opportunities are harnessed and appropriated for the common good of the people”, Hon. Ikuli maintained.

The Governor’s Technical Adviser restated that it was no longer secret that citizens of the State were eye witnesses to the fact that investors are now relocating from many places to the State due to the conducive business and investment atmosphere that the governor has created, noting

that the State’s number one citizen has not only restored peace and unity to the state, but that he is also working with stakeholders and various security agencies to make Bayelsa the safest in the country.

“The community policing strategy of the state is so unique that many states are emulating it. Governor Diri has successfully set a leadership and development standard for successive administrations to build upon as the state is no longer among the ones that are disregarded due to the vision and leadership style of our God-sent governor.

“The earlier those who are conspiring to paint the governor in bad light wake up to the realities of the time, the better for them. Never again shall Bayelsa State be entrusted to unserious characters whose only credentials is the number of years they have played politics and also stayed in a particular political party.

“Our Governor, Senator Douye Diri, is the greatest thing that has happened to our contemporary democracy. He is a God-sent leader that is leading very well, while we are following him”, the governor’s adviser said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Politics

Makarfi Resigns As PDP BoT Secretary

Published

2 weeks ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

Former Governor of Kaduna State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Muhammed Makarfi, has resigned his position as the BoT Secretary of the party.

Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.

“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”

He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.

“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”

While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”

Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.

Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.

The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”

According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”

He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.