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Osun: Tribunal Compels INEC To Produce Adeleke’s Certificates, Nomination Form

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Osun State Governor,Ademola Adeleke
Ademola-Adeleke.
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. As Panel Refuses to Dismiss Petition 

There were hot arguments before the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, as the panel compelled the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the nomination form and academic certificates of Senator Ademola Adeleke used for his nomination in the 2018 governorship election.
The order of the tribunal, Chaired by Justice Tertsea Kume was contained in a Subpoena issued on REC by the panel following the request of counsel for Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is just as counsel for INEC, Adeleke and the PDP failed in their attempt to have the petition dismissed abruptly at the hearing.
At the sitting of the tribunal on Wednesday, Counsel for Oyetola and the APC, Dr. Abiodun Saka Layoonu (SAN), informed the court that the petitioners have filed a Subpoena dated 3rd of November 2022, compelling REC to appear before the court to present Adeleke’s Form CF 001, which is the nomination form and all its attachments, including the certificates used in the 2018 election.
He indicated that since the bailiff was yet to serve REC with the Subpoena, even after being signed, he would be compelled to ask for adjournment till Monday, 21 November.
Counsel for INEC, Paul Ananaba, SAN, objected to the application for adjournment, saying it was a clear evidence that the petitioners were not prepared for diligent prosecution of the petition, citing paragraph 18(11) of the Electoral Act.
While also arguing that REC being subpoenaed to bring the said documents was never mentioned in the petition, Ananaba added that by planning to call REC as a witness without informing the tribunal earlier, the petitioners had violated paragraph 3 of the tribunal’s pre-hearing report.
He noted that the said paragraph 3 indicated that the tribunal must be furnished with list of witnesses to be called 24 hour to the hearing day.
It was at this stage that the tribunal Chairman interrupted the INEC lawyer and said: “Why can’t you keep your gun powder dry. Stop jumping the gun. After all, you have not been served. It is only when you are served that you can raise issues”.
But regardless of the tribunal Chairman’s comment, Ananaba insisted on his application that the petition should be dismissed immediately.
Counsel for Adeleke, Mr. Niyi Owolade, and that of the PDP, Nathaniel Oke (SAN), aligned with Ananaba’s arguments and prayed that the tribunal should dismiss the petition.
Responding, Oyetola’s counsel, Layoonu, SAN, described the respondents’ arguments as baseless, saying the question of not being diligent in the prosecution of the petition was just a blanket statement by the respondents.
He argued: “The question of diligence is a question of fact. My learned friends have just made blanket statement, but they have never come with any fact to that effect. Your Lordships know that there was no hearing day that we had not been here to prosecute our case.
“Besides that, my Lord, it is our prerogative to conduct our case the way we want as permitted by the law and we have been so diligent with it because we know what we are doing. What then is their problem?
Layoonu also referred to paragraph 69(vi) of the petition where it was expressly stated that the documents in question would be relied on.
In his further arguments, Layoonu said since the tribunal has not issued the subpoena, it could not have been served on the respondents, asking the INEC counsel to take a hint from the tribunal and stop being apprehensive unnecessarily.
He then urged the tribunal to discountenance all the arguments of the respondents’ counsel.
In his ruling, read by the Chairman, the tribunal agreed with the petitioners’ counsel and ignored the applications to dismiss the petition.
It said that the subpoena was issued by the tribunal around evening on Tuesday and would subsequently be served on REC.
He then adjourned the matter till Monday, November 21, for continuation of hearing.
Speaking with journalists after the hearing one of the petitioners’ Counsel, Chief Yomi Aliyu (SAN) said:  “The Subpoena was to bring Adeleke’s Curriculum Vitae to court, including all the documents he filed in form CFO01. It concerns Adeleke on the certificates he claimed he had, and that is why you heard the protestation of his lawyers. But it must be brought to court one way or the other.
“The court must see his certificates that he got from wherever he said he got them. That is why you see that it was hot for two hours as they were asking for the dismissal of the petition.”

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Politics

Ododo, Okpebholo Rally Kogi, Edo Indigenes in Osun Behind APC Candidate

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Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA and his Edo State counterpart Gov. Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday led a massive mobilisation of Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo urged Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State to reciprocate the developmental strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by voting overwhelmingly for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in the August 15 election. He maintained that governance should be judged by tangible achievements rather than rhetoric, insisting that the APC had earned the people’s trust through visible projects and people-oriented policies. “Governance is not by propaganda; governance is a serious business. Our campaign is issue-based. Tell us what your party has done for the people, and we will tell you what the APC has done,” he declared.

Governor Ododo highlighted several landmark interventions of the Tinubu administration in Kogi State, including the approval of the Kogi International Airport, the establishment of a Special Agro-Processing Zone and a Free Trade Zone, the rehabilitation of critical federal roads, improved security support, and increased resources for sub-national development. He described the President as a leader committed to equitable development across the country and called on the electorate not to succumb to intimidation or political deception. “Don’t be intimidated. On August 15, go out, cast your vote for the APC, let your vote count, and show Mr. President our appreciation for his unwavering support to our people,” Governor Ododo charged.

Addressing the Large Crowd of Igala Community in Oshogbo at the rally, the North Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees, Dr. Ocholi Hassan Abdulrahman, passionately called on all Igala sons and daughters resident in Osun State to deliver overwhelming votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 gubernatorial election.

Dr. Ocholi described himself as a living beneficiary of the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that his appointment to the TETFund Board was a testament to the President’s inclusive style of governance and commitment to rewarding competence across the country.

He stressed that the Igala Kingdom has recorded significant gains under the APC-led Federal Government and urged the community to reciprocate the goodwill by voting massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 Presidential Election and all APC candidates. According to him, supporting Oyebamiji and Bola Tinubu is not only a vote for continuity and progressive governance but also a demonstration of gratitude for the numerous opportunities and benefits the current administration has extended to the Igala people.

The event was attended by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and other top APC leaders, who reaffirmed the party’s determination to secure victory at the polls.

The rally attracted a massive turnout of APC faithful, Kogi indigenes, market women, youth groups and other non-indigene communities, all of whom declared their readiness to deliver overwhelming votes for Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the August 15 governorship election.

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NDC Youths Endorse Former ESUT Pro-Chancellor, Ohaa, for Enugu 2027 Guber Race

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Wing in Enugu State has unanimously endorsed the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa, for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made during the maiden executive meeting of the NDC Youth Wing held in Enugu on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Youth Coordinator, Mr Jideofor Ude, described Ohaa as an “astute public servant” who had served in various capacities in the state and the country.

According to him, Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa served as Accountant General of Enugu State, FCT Permanent Secretary and Pro-Chancellor,  Enugu State University of Science and Technology among other positions.

He called on members to unite behind all candidates fielded by the party, with particular emphasis on Ohaa’s governorship bid.

The meeting was attended by the NDC State Chairman, Mr Ibuchukwu Obetta, and the 17 Local Government Coordinators of the Youth Wing.

Ude expressed appreciation to Obetta for what he described as his strategic leadership and commitment to the growth of the party in the state.

Ude assured the chairman of the youth wing’s commitment to working with the party leadership to advance its objectives and strengthen its grassroots structures across the state.

Outlining the youth’s plans for the election cycle, the coordinator said that activities would commence in earnest in line with the timetable to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ude urged all NDC candidates in the state to collaborate with the Youth Wing in driving grassroots mobilisation and youth participation in the electoral process.

The youth coordinator charged the 17 Local Government Coordinators to be proactive in implementing party programmes at the grassroots to ensure effective youth representation.

Ude further encouraged members to submit ideas and policy contributions ahead of the forthcoming NDC Youth Leadership Summit, where the Youth Wing was expected to unveil key programmes and initiatives for the 2027 elections.

In his remarks, the state chairman, Obetta, commended the youth wing for its dedication and proactive approach to party affairs, pledging continued support for its activities and growth.

He also addressed the ongoing leadership dispute within the state chapter, saying he was pursuing all legal avenues to resolve the matter.

Obetta maintained that he remained the duly recognised State Chairman by the NDC national body and urged members of the youth wing to remain focused and avoid distractions as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

The meeting also featured the presentation of appointment letters to the Local Government Coordinators.

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Ex-Tinubu Aide Denies Breaching APC Primary Rules, Says He Resigned Before Contest

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Former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Ibrahim Olarewaju, has denied allegations that he failed to resign his appointment before contesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat.

 

 

 

Olarewaju, who won the party’s primary in May, said he resigned from his position effective March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective offices.

 

 

 

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti by his media office and signed by Moses Owoyemi.

 

 

 

The statement described reports alleging that the former presidential aide breached constitutional and party regulations by participating in the primary election without resigning as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts.”

 

 

 

According to the statement, Olarewaju fully complied with all constitutional, legal and party requirements before contesting the primary election.

 

 

“His resignation as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective office. It is incorrect and misleading to suggest that Olarewaju’s participation in the primary election violated any provision of the law. Allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, do not amount to evidence,” the statement said.

 

 

The media office added that the resignation was a matter of public record and could be independently verified through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and published media reports.

 

 

It also dismissed claims that Olarewaju circumvented due process, describing him as a public servant whose career has been marked by integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the law.

 

 

The statement attributed his victory at the APC primary to years of grassroots mobilisation, accessibility and commitment to the people, saying the exercise was conducted transparently and in line with the party’s guidelines.

 

 

It said accredited delegates from Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas freely elected Olarewaju as the party’s candidate and commended party leaders, delegates and members for conducting themselves peacefully during the exercise.

 

 

The media office also applauded other aspirants for accepting the outcome of the primary in the interest of party unity.

 

 

It said Olarewaju remained committed to fostering unity within the APC and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general election, urging members of the public to disregard claims not backed by verifiable evidence.

 

 

 

While acknowledging that post-election grievances were common in politics, the statement advised aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to seek redress through the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms or appropriate legal channels rather than the media

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