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Comrade Daniel Onjeh Files Appeal Over Election Tribunal’s Decision
Comrade Daniel Onjeh Files Appeal Over Election Tribunal’s Decision....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the 2023 senatorial candidate for Benue South representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), has filed an appeal with the Appeal Court in Makurdi, challenging the judgment of the National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal. The tribunal had upheld the victory of Sen. Patrick Abba Moro from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25, 2023 poll.
On September 10, a three-member panel of the National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Makurdi, led by Hon. Justice ORY Zik-Ikeoha, dismissed Onjeh’s petition, which bore the number EPT/BN/SEN/05/2023, contesting the election outcome.
The tribunal’s ruling stated that the petitioners failed to substantiate allegations related to Sen. Moro’s qualifications, lawful election victory, and compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, in the conduct of the Senatorial Election in Benue State on February 25, 2023.
In response, Onjeh announced on his social media platforms, including Facebook, that “It’s not over yet,” indicating that his legal team was examining the tribunal’s judgment and would advise on the next steps.
In his appeal filed on Friday at the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Judicial Division, Onjeh, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu, argued that the tribunal’s decision resulted in a serious miscarriage of justice by upholding Sen. Moro’s victory.
Onjeh has requested the Appeal Court to nullify the declaration and return of Sen. Moro and declare him as the candidate with the lawful majority of votes in the election.
Additionally, Onjeh has urged the Appeal Court to set aside the declaration and return of Sen. Moro, contending that Sen. Moro did not secure a majority of lawful votes because the votes attributed to him were legally wasted. Consequently, he seeks to be declared as the winner of the Benue South Senatorial District election held on February 25, 2023, or alternatively, calls for the annulment of the election due to non-compliance and irregularities, with the order for a re-run election in the Benue South Senatorial District.
In his appeal, Onjeh’s lead counsel, Mr. Adetunji Oso, argued that the tribunal in Makurdi erred in holding that Sen. Moro was eminently qualified to participate in the election, despite the petitioners/appellants’ claim of forged certificates presented to INEC. Oso emphasized that the presentation of forged certificates to INEC disqualifies any election candidate, as mandated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Furthermore, Oso contested the tribunal’s assertion that the petitioners/appellants failed to plead the arithmetical figures contained in the result sheets, specifying the polling units and wards with alleged errors. He argued that the petitioners/appellants did indeed plead the relevant information and provided documentary evidence to support their claims.
Onjeh’s appeal also highlighted that the tribunal erred by concluding that the evidence presented by the petitioners/appellants was weak, porous, and lacking in substance. Onjeh argued that Sen. Moro admitted to unexplained unlawful alterations, mutilation, and cancellations on the polling units pleaded, which were evident on the documentary evidence submitted to the tribunal without challenge.
In his appeal, Onjeh emphasized that all the petitioners/appellants’ witnesses identified the exhibits, linked them to the non-compliance and irregularities, and underwent cross-examination.
Finally, Onjeh pointed out that the same tribunal, in a similar petition before it, had ruled that Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, applies in favor of a petitioner when non-compliance and irregularities are manifest and obvious, but failed to make similar findings in his case regarding the manifest non-compliance and irregularities present in the petitioners/appellants’ documentary evidence.
Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has advised the House of Representatives member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leke Abejide, to remain in his party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbajabiamila made the remark during a birthday celebration organised in honour of Abejide, according to reports.
He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was pleased with the lawmaker’s activities within the ADC, adding that his presence was creating internal tensions in the opposition party.
The Chief of Staff also urged Abejide to disregard calls from APC members, including former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who had reportedly encouraged him to defect to the ruling party.
“Don’t come to APC. Stay in ADC and scatter them. We like what you’re doing. Don’t mind former governor Yahaya Bello, who said you should join APC. No, no, no, stay in ADC and win your election. Also, bring Bala Gombe, and we’ll support him. Good luck in court,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, fresh tension has emerged within the African Democratic Congress as factional leader Nafiu Bala accused former national chairman Ralph Nwosu of misrepresenting the purpose of a recent party event.
Bala, speaking in an interview on AIT on Monday, said he was invited to what he believed was a routine meeting to welcome new members but later discovered it was used to announce a new leadership structure led by David Mark.
He explained that he only realised the full agenda after proceedings had begun, adding that the event also featured Nwosu stepping down while unveiling new party executives.
According to him, the development has deepened existing internal disputes within the party, especially with the appointment of David Mark and others into key leadership positions during the gathering.
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District have reportedly endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun as their preferred candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to reports, the decision was taken on Monday during a large political gathering held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, which attracted party stakeholders and grassroots representatives from across the district.
A statement from the governor’s media office indicated that the meeting was widely attended by key APC figures, including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, former and serving local government chairmen, councillors from all wards, as well as current and former lawmakers at both state and national levels. Women leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders were also present.
Party leaders at the event expressed confidence in Abiodun’s capacity to represent Ogun East effectively at the National Assembly, describing his leadership record as a key factor in their decision.
They also resolved to formally communicate the endorsement to the governor and begin mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, noted that the governor’s performance in office and his role in fostering unity within the party were central to the decision to support his senatorial ambition.
The Presidency has criticised former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning his leadership ability and accusing him of failing to manage internal crises within the Labour Party (LP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to reports, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made the remarks during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Monday.
Dare argued that Obi did not found the Labour Party and does not have full control over its structure, adding that his handling of party disputes raises concerns about his leadership capacity.
He further alleged that Obi has shown a pattern of moving between political platforms rather than resolving internal challenges, insisting that he “cannot fix” his own party.
Dare said the Labour Party’s internal crisis had been visible for years and questioned Obi’s level of involvement in resolving it, suggesting that he instead left the party amid the turmoil.
He stated that such leadership qualities should be scrutinised given national responsibilities, adding, “You cannot fix your party.”
The presidential aide also addressed claims linking the Presidency to the crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), rejecting any involvement and insisting the party’s internal issues were not influenced by the federal government.
He maintained that the ADC situation is already before the courts and should be resolved through judicial processes rather than public agitation or political pressure.
Dare urged all parties involved to respect ongoing legal proceedings, stressing that court decisions would ultimately determine the outcome of the disputes.
He added that the government remains committed to respecting the judiciary and warned against attempts to influence public opinion while cases are still being decided.
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