Politics
Exposed! Ighodalo’s move to sway Edo Guber tribunal hits rock
By Edo Osahon
In a last-ditch effort to sway the outcome of the tribunal judgment, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, candidate, has allegedly attempted to enlist the support of traditional rulers in the southwest region, alongside Tinubu’s daughter.
However, this desperate bid and surprising turn of event by the PDP’s candidate has ultimately fallen flat, according to sources.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Ighodalo had been visiting traditional palaces to help to persuade the daughter of President Bola Tinubu to reach her father, seeking to leverage the influence of the president to sway the tribunal’s decision.
The move was disclosed by an insider on Sunday in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, it would be recalled, declared Okpebholo the winner of the September 21, 2024, election, after securing 291,667 votes against Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,274 votes.
However, after rejecting the result announced by the INEC, Dr. Ighodalo and his party sought the court to challenge the outcome.
On Wednesday January 17, 2025, the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-man 2024 Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal EPT, commenced the full hearing of the seven petitions challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress APC, as the winner of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election.
It was learned that Dr. Asue Ighodalo, on perceiving that the judgment may not favour him at the tribunal, was prepared to seek the help of President Bola Tinubu using his kinsmen and his daughter to influence a tribunal judgment.
A close source who revealed the move said millions of monies have been expended in convincing some of the traditional rulers to crack the expected decision of the election petition to favour Dr. Ighodalo.
Since the PDP and its candidate began this move, it was also gathered that there has been a grand plan to cause tension in the state, a development that led to the call to move the Tribunal to Abuja over its safety.
Their main intention was to coarse the Tribunal to do their bidding and overturn the results declared by INEC, a condition seriously frowned at by President Tinubu, who we understand has insisted on doing the right thing.
Before long, it was learned that there’s a new plan again to disrupt the Tribunal sitting in Abuja, owing to what is perceived as inability of their witnesses who failed to present proof that they won the election.
Recall that the winner and APC had in different fora declared their interest to go to the highest court to defend their victory, a situation sending unrest to PDP and Ighodalo.
The tribunal judgment in the case between Dr. Asue Ighodalo and INEC is pending, and a date to be given for the judgment after the secretary of the tribunal had earlier said they will be communicating to all parties involved.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has already heard the final written addresses from all parties involved, including the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and the All Progressives Congress APC.
Initially, the tribunal was expected to deliver its judgment within the 180-day legal limit, which would be around April 10, 2025.
However, the exact date of the judgment is yet to be announced.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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