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INEC Closes Defence In SDP, Ajaka’s Petition Against Gov. Ododo’s Election Victory—-The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, closed its defence in the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi.

INEC’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, made this known to the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, shortly after he tendered more documents against the SDP’s petition.

Njoku told the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo, that INEC did not intend to call any witness having assessed the case of the petitioners.

“My lords, the 1st respondent, having reviewed the state of pleadings in this petition, the evidence elicited from petitioners’ witnesses under cross examination, and the documents so far tendered in evidence by the 1st respondent, considers it reasonable not to further belabour the tribunal with the calling of witnesses.

“In the circumstances, the 1st respondent (INEC) applies to close its case,” the lawyer said.

Justice Birnin-Kudo, who declared the commission’s case closed, adjourned the matter until April 16 for Gov. Ododo (2nd respondent) to open its defence.

It would be recalled that INEC conducted the Kogi governorship election on Nov. 11, 2023.

However, the SDP and its governorship candidate in the poll are challenging the declaration of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

Earlier in the course of Tuesday’s proceedings, Njoku told the tribunal that INEC brought the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used for the election as ordered by the court on Nov. 25, 2023.

Njoku also tendered three sets of documents, which included a letter, dated Feb. 22 forwarding the BVAS, a document containing the summary of the BVAS devices and another documents containing the BVAS’ identification numbers.

When Njoku applied to tender the documents, Ibrahim Sanni Mohammed, SAN, who appeared for Ododo and Ayo Asala, SAN, who appeared for the APC, did not object to the admissibility of the exhibits.

Lawyer to SDP and Ajaka, Pius Akubo, SAN, objected on the grounds that it was only documents that were tendered without the actual exhibits.

Ruling, tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Birnin-Kudu, admitted the documents as exhibits and marked them accordingly.

The BVAS tendered were in relation to seven LGAs, including Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Basa, Ogori-Magongo, Lokoja, Adavi and Okene.

Meanwhile, Ododo has indicated his readiness to open his defence on Wednesday.

His lawyer, Mohammed, disclosed this upon being asked by the tribunal’s chairman when the 2nd respondent was willing to open his defence.

Mohammed assured the tribunal that his client was ready to commence his defence on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the electoral umpire, on Monday, tendered some electoral documents used in the conduct of the poll in defence of its case.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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JUST IN: President Tinubu Announces Fresh Key Appointments (FULL LIST)

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Tinubu

JUST IN: President Tinubu Announces Fresh Key Appointments (FULL LIST)—-TCN reports that Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president (information and strategy) made this known in a statement on Friday evening, December 6.

Onanuga disclosed that President Tinubu appointed Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, a visiting professor at the NUC, as the organisation’s executive secretary.

Prof. Ribadu is an expert in veterinary reproduction and has served as vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa state and the Sule Lamido University, Jigawa state.

President Tinubu appointed Prof. Salisu Shehu as executive secretary of the NERDC.

Prof Shehu is a renowned academic in educational and human Psychology. He was said to be instrumental in establishing the School of Continuing Education at Bayero University, Kano, and was the vice-chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University, Kano.

The president also announced Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri’s appointment as the National Coordinator of NEPAD.

Jabilu Tsauri holds a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University.

He is a seasoned administrator with expertise in legislative affairs, global affairs, and democratic governance and vast experience in public service.

Lastly, Tinubu appointed Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani as the executive secretary of the SMDF/PAGMI.

Yazid Danfulani holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Arts and Management from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom (UK).

He has extensive experience in Banking, Computing, and Business Administration.

He once worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and was also a Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Zamfara State.

According to the presidency, the Nigerian leader believes the appointees’ experience and track record will bring a new sense of commitment, progress, and positive outcomes to fulfil Nigerians’ expectations of their respective organisations.

 

Check out the list of the new appointees below:

Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) – Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council – Prof. Salisu Shehu

National Coordinator, New Partnership for Africa Development – Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri

Executive Secretary, SMDF/PAGMI – Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani

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JUST IN: John Mahama Of Opposition Party Declared Winner Of Ghana’s 2024 Presidential Election

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John Mahama

JUST IN: John Mahama Of Opposition Party Declared Winner Of Ghana’s 2024 Presidential Election—-John Dramani Mahama, the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been declared the winner of Ghana’s 2024 presidential election.

This victory marks a significant political shift, as Mahama unseats the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The Electoral Commission of Ghana announced Mahama’s triumph after a hotly contested election that saw millions of Ghanaians head to the polls on December 7. Preliminary results indicate that Mahama secured a majority of the votes, signaling widespread support for the NDC’s vision of change.

In his victory speech, Mahama expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their confidence in his leadership. “This victory belongs to every Ghanaian who believes in the power of democracy and the promise of a better future,” he said. “Together, we will rebuild trust in our institutions, revive the economy, and ensure that no one is left behind.”

The campaign period was marked by debates over economic policies, job creation, and corruption, with Mahama promising reforms to tackle unemployment and revive key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. His message resonated strongly with young voters and rural communities, who have expressed frustration over rising costs of living and limited opportunities.

The victory is also a personal comeback for Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017 but lost his re-election bid in 2016. His return to power underscores a shift in public sentiment, as many Ghanaians appear ready to embrace his leadership once again.   Outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has yet to issue a statement conceding defeat, but local and international observers have largely described the election as free and fair, praising Ghana’s strong democratic traditions.

As Mahama prepares to take office in January 2025, the nation looks to his administration to address pressing economic and social challenges. Ghanaians are hopeful that this new chapter in their democracy will bring progress and unity to the country. Observers are now closely watching how Mahama will navigate the transition period and assemble a government capable of fulfilling his campaign promises.

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