Politics
I did not know INEC has lawyer- PDP’s subpoenaed witness tells Ogun Tribunal …claims to represent electoral umpire
I did not know INEC has lawyer- PDP’s subpoenaed witness tells Ogun Tribunal
…claims to represent electoral umpire
A subpoenaed witness called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Eze Desmond, from GRA Road, Sagamu, who claimed to be an ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that he was not aware that the commission has a lawyer.
Desmond made this declaration when being cross-examined by the counsel of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, who objected to the documents tendered by the witness but reserved his objection to his final address.
The witness was responding to a question put to him by Osipitan, who queried how he got the contact address of PDP’s lawyer who he claimed he approached upon receiving a subpoena to appear before the tribunal.
Osipitan, while cross-examining the witness also asked about how he got the subpoena and the address he used, to which he responded that it was addressed to him personally and not through INEC.
The witness, who was a corps member said he completed his mandatory service year on May 18th and that he didn’t inform INEC about the subpoena and his intention to appear before the panel as an ad-hoc staff of the electoral umpire.
When asked about his experience on the issue of alleged violence where he worked, he said he did not witness any, contrary to what the document he tendered indicates.
Also, a witness of the PDP, Bamidele Aiyedun, from Ikenne, to the dismay of many admitted that there is something wrong in his statement of oath.
Another subpoenaed witness for PDP, Oristhefe Okotipi, who claimed to have worked for INEC as an ad-hoc staff during the gubernatorial poll could not mention the serial numbers of the booklet used for the governorship and House of Assembly elections.
He couldn’t also provide any evidence that confirm that he truly worked for INEC, as he admitted that the commission was not in the know of his appearance before the tribunal.
Meanwhile, all the counsels to the respondents expressly objected to those documents tendered before the tribunal by the PDP’s subpoenaed witnesses. They however, reserved their objections to their final addresses.
Lagos PDP Kicks As Epe Council Boss Gets Enmeshed In Alleged Certificates Forgery
The Youth wing of the Lagos State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Comrade Agboola Akinpelu Dare is calling for an investigation into allegations of certificate forgery against Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, the chairperson of Epe Local Government Area.
This isn’t the first time Animashaun has faced these allegations, which initially surfaced ahead of the last council election in Epe local government ¹.
According to a video shared on social media by Nifemi Vibrant, Animashaun is accused of forging her certificates, which would disqualify her from holding public office under the 2022 Electoral Act.
Another prominent figure from Epe, Olanrewaju Babatunde, also known as Bob Tarner, has come forward to accuse Animashaun of forging her certificates from primary to university level ¹.
The PDP is urging the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and other relevant government agencies to invite Animashaun for questioning and to scrutinize her credentials.
They argue that Epe is known for academic excellence and deserves better representation ¹.
Politics
Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression
Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression
The United Democratic Coalition (UDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, citing worsening insecurity and a breakdown of democratic order in the state.
The demand was contained in a statement on Friday signed by Abdulrahman Danladi, president of the coalition.
Danladi described Zamfara as “a state under siege,” accusing the state government of abandoning its constitutional duty to protect lives and uphold democratic principles.
“The situation in Zamfara has gone from troubling to terrifying. Armed groups operate freely, citizens are at the mercy of bandits, and yet those elected to speak up are being silenced,” the statement read.
He was referring to the recent suspension of 10 lawmakers in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, whom he said were punished for raising concerns about insecurity and illegal mining in their constituencies.
“What we are witnessing is not just lawlessness — it is executive tyranny. These lawmakers were elected by the people and have a duty to speak out. Instead of listening to them, the state assembly, clearly acting on orders, has shut them down,” Danladi said.
He likened the political tension in Zamfara to the recent situation in Rivers state, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara governed with just four lawmakers after a split in the House of Assembly — a scenario that prompted calls for federal intervention.
“If Rivers with four lawmakers sparked talks of emergency rule, how is Zamfara with 10 suspended lawmakers and spiraling violence, not a national concern?” Danladi asked.
“The same standard must apply. Democracy is being murdered in Zamfara in broad daylight. If the federal government could consider intervening in Rivers, it must not turn a blind eye to the breakdown in Zamfara.”
“We are calling for a six-month state of emergency in Zamfara to allow security forces to take control, restore peace, and return the state to constitutional order.”
The group also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers and an investigation into what it called “executive interference” in the legislature.
“This is not the time for political correctness. It is the time for leadership. The people of Zamfara are under siege — both by bandits and by those who should be protecting them,” the statement added.
Zamfara, one of Nigeria’s most troubled states, continues to face persistent attacks from armed groups, with thousands displaced and dozens killed in the past year alone.
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