Politics
Nigerians React As Imo LP Accuses INEC Of Hindering BVAS Machine Access (Full Details)
On Saturday, the Labour Party’s Imo State Chapter expressed concern that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state was disregarding a court directive to examine the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used during the November 11 gubernatorial election….CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Callistus Ihejiagwa, the LP chairman in the state, informed journalists in Owerri, the state capital, that the Election Petition Tribunal had instructed INEC on November 26 to grant the party access to the BVAS machine.
Despite the tribunal’s order allowing the LP to conduct a forensic examination of the BVAS machine, Ihejiagwa claimed that INEC had obstructed the process. He disclosed that, in contradiction to the court order, which authorized the LP to perform a forensic inspection of the BVAS machine, the electoral body had hindered the process.
Ihejiagwa asserted that the forensic examination of election materials, including the BVAS, was outlined in the tribunal’s order. According to him, INEC had refused access to the BVAS for inspection on Wednesday, asserting that only the commission’s headquarters had the authority to grant such access. Although INEC provided 65 out of over 5,000 BVAS machines for inspection, it denied the LP’s forensic experts access to them.
Expressing bewilderment, Ihejiagwa questioned why INEC, as a mere umpire in the election, would intentionally impede the legal process. He lamented, “Contrary to court orders for forensic analysis of BVAS machines, an INEC official is reading out figures of accreditation from the machines without allowing us access to Certified True Copies of the card copies for our due diligence.”
With less than 24 hours to examine the BVAS machines and present their findings to the election petition tribunal, the LP awaited access to the machines. Counsel for the LP governorship candidate, Athan Achonu, stressed that the tribunal’s order for forensic examination aimed to ensure the integrity of the BVAS machines before and after the election. He criticized INEC’s non-compliance with the order but expressed confidence in the judiciary to dispense justice.
It’s noteworthy that on Tuesday, INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Emmanuella Ben-Opara, confirmed that the requested materials for inspection were ready and awaiting examination.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly opposed reported moves by the state government to revisit the alleged Offa robbery case involving former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki and others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that the party made its position known during an emergency press conference in Ilorin on Friday, describing the development as politically motivated and unjust.
PDP spokesman, Comrade Olushola Adewara, said the alleged plan to reopen the case amounts to an attempt to politicise a matter that has already been concluded by the courts.
He alleged that the move was targeted at dragging Saraki into a case in which, according to him, legal authorities had previously found no evidence linking him to the incident.
Adewara referenced earlier legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which reportedly stated that Saraki was not connected to the robbery case.
The party insisted that suspects in the case had already been prosecuted and convicted, with judgments upheld at appellate levels, while the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.
PDP urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus on governance rather than what it described as attempts to revive old political narratives.
It also called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, warning that such actions could heighten political tension in the state.
The party further appealed to residents, especially families of victims in Offa, not to allow their pain to be used for political purposes.
Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Alli, who serves under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration on Friday during a formal event held at the Police Field in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area.
The APC chieftain and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland said he will be running on the platform of his party.
The event attracted thousands of APC leaders, stakeholders, and members, including top political figures such as Senator Yunus Akintunde, House of Representatives members Akin Alabi, Aderemi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, Tajudeen Abisodun, and Senator Hamzat Adeseun.
Also in attendance were former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, among others.
Alli said his decision followed wide consultations with stakeholders and was driven by his desire to advance the development of Oyo State.
He noted his past political experience, including serving as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and Secretary to the Oyo State Government under Senator Rasidi Ladoja, as well as his current role in the Senate, where he said he has consistently advocated for his constituents.
According to him, his ambition is focused on delivering better governance and moving the state forward.
A PDP chieftain and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Showunmi made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta on Friday.
He called for a broad political coalition involving opposition parties and grassroots groups to challenge what he described as the failures of dominant political forces in the state.
Showunmi argued that political parties may choose or endorse candidates, but insisted such arrangements must not deny voters a genuine electoral choice.
He said: “I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election. I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee… to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen.”
He also questioned whether Ogun State would experience a “coronation” or a competitive election process, urging stakeholders to allow open political contest.
The PDP chieftain noted that Ogun West’s long-standing exclusion from producing a governor is a legitimate grievance, but stressed that aspirations must still be tested through competition.
He advocated issue-based campaigns ahead of 2027, rejecting “money politics” and challenging aspirants to public debates on governance.
Showunmi maintained that he has no history of violence or political thuggery, insisting the election should be centred on ideas and development plans for the state.
In response, IPAC leadership and other political actors at the event called for collaboration and careful selection of leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
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