Election Petition: Otega v. Okowa, more votes than voters

The Delta State governorship election petition tribunal, sitting in Asaba, has admitted four key documents, including card readers’ accreditation report, tendered by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The accreditation report submitted by INEC showed that the number of accredited voters for the April 11 governorship election in Delta state was lower than the results announced by electoral officials after the polls.

Victory for Ambode at the Court of Appeal

An appellate court yesterday affirmed the verdict of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which had upheld the declaration of Akinwunmi Ambode as the winner of the April 11 election.

The appellate court aligned with the July 1 decision by the Justice Muhammad Sijaro-led tribunal, which had declared as incompetent and struck out the petition filed by Jimi Agbaje, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Onjeh v. Mark: David Mark runs from the witness box

To avoid the fire of cross-examination, former Senate President David Mark on Tuesday declined giving evidence in the petition seeking the nullification of his election into the legislative chamber.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election, Mr. Daniel Onjeh, is challenging the result of the election declared in favour of Senator Mark by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Read our updates Here

Mark’s counsel, Mr. Kenneth Ikonne, had on August 13 told the elections petition tribunal that his client was ready to give evidence in the matter on Tuesday.

At the resumption of sitting, however, Ikonne told the tribunal that although present in court, his client would not enter the witness box to avoid harassment from petitioner’s counsel, Mr Tunji Oso during cross-examination.

Agbaje v. Ambode Court of Appeal reserves judgment

The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Lagos State Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election, Jimi Agbaje, seeking to nullify the election of Akinwunmi Ambode of All Progressives Congress (APC).

The court is also to rule in the cross-appeals filed by Ambode and APC against some aspects of the lower tribunal’s judgment.

The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had, on July 1, upheld Ambode’s victory in the April 11 governorship election. The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Muhammad Sirajo, struck out Agbaje’s petition seeking to nullify Ambode’s declaration as winner.  Ambode polled 811,994 votes against Agbaje’s 659,788.

Onjeh v. Mark: Updates

Remember we last published that Daniel Onjeh filed a petition seeking a declaration that the former President of Senate, David Mark, was wrongly declared winner of the Benue South Senatorial election.

He alleged electoral malpractices and substantial infringement on the Electoral Act, praying the tribunal to nullify the election and order for fresh poll.

Yesterday, The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi fixed August 18 for former Senate President David Mark to testify.

Election Petitions: Abdulrahaman Abdulrasak v. Saraki

The Legislative Houses Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin at the weekend admitted three exhibits in the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate for Kwara Central Senatorial district, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrasak against Senator Bukola Saraki of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abdulrasaq is challenging Saraki’s victory at the National Assembly election held on March 28, praying the tribunal to declare him the winner of the election.

The Chairman of the three-man Tribunal, Justice Josiah Majebi marked the exhibits as tendered by the petitioner’s counsel on Saturday.

Counsels to the Respondents, Yusuf Ali SAN (1st), Abdulwahab Bamidele (2nd) and Alarape Salman SAN for the third respondents all reserved the objections to the documents tendered.

Sylva withdraws suit challenging Senator Ben Bruce’s election at tribunal

THE former Governor of Bayelsa state and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva Wednesday in Yenagoa, withdrew his suit challenging the election of Ben Murray-Bruce of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Senator for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

Justice Ononeze Madu, Chairman of the Bayelsa state National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, during its siting Wednesday, who formally announced the withdrawal of the suit with the petition number EPT/BY/SEN/003/2015, said the tribunal was committed to ensuring justice for the betterment of the citizenry.

Counsel to Chief Sylva, Sydney Ibanichuka said the withdrawal of the petition was for the interest of peace. “The reason for the withdrawal is best known to the petitioners, but they have agreed to withdraw for the interest of peace in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large,” he said.