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Tribunal Judgement: Panel chairman compromised, used as tool against new electoral act – PDP

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Osun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Osun Governorship Tribunal Chairman, Mr Tertse Kume of bias, sell out, sabotage and deliberate undermining of new electoral act, vowing to report the judge to judicial disciplinary bodies.

Addressing a world press conference at Osogbo today, the party leadership led by the State Caretaker Chairman, Dr Adekunle Akindele affirmed that the judgement was clearly waybilled by the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the judge abandoned legal arguments and submissions to dwell on the trivial as foundation for his pronouncement.

Citing many examples of bias and personal hatred for the State Governor by the Tribunal Chairman, the PDP accused the Benue born judge of serving as the mouthpiece of the petitioners during the hearing and of personal attacks on the Governor in the ruling, citing the ridiculous reference to buga dance in the judgement.

 

The full speech below:

“Our party had always suspected Mr Tertse Kumeata’s conduct in the course of hearing of the petition. Most times, the Benue State born controversial arbiter would get lost and get himself overwhelmed with his bias tendencies and enter the role of lead counsel to the petitioner, arguing points for them like a hired mercenary, even when it was obvious the hired counsels for the petitioner had lost their way.

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“This reckless abuse of privilege got to a head when Mr Tartse had to step down hearing twice for the APC lead counsel to adjust and regain himself when the latter got lost in traffic of trying to adumbrate white as black in their final written address.

“What more, the premeditated stance of the tribunal chairman was clearly demonstrated in his side of the stalemate with his choice of words which we considered unethical, disrespectful and unbecoming of a judicial officer of such standing.

“Even if the judgement was waybilled to him as we suspected by his petitioner collaborators, he should have disguised and exercised some restraints by expunging the foul languages obviously written for him in local parlance of Buga lyrics to disrespect an elected governor. He shouldn’t have gone so low, low, low!

“This is more so, when he’s expected not to be too carried away or in the least, to be aware that his warped position was a mere starting point in the legal tussle in this context as provided in our extant laws.

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“For us as a party, we understand the desperation of those behind the jankara judgement. We understand the trap they tried to set against the BVAS innovation in our electoral system. We understand the desperation goes beyond the Osun election or Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.

“The evil plot is ultimately against the coming general election where in their usual fraudulent habit, millions of voter cards have either been cloned, registered with ghost names and are being made ready to be deployed especially for the presidential election, in which they could smell their total rejection far ahead of time.

“In this wise and in their fraudulent anticipation, the use of BVAS machine must be discredited and rendered impotent ahead of their planned invasion of the electoral field with their fraudulent antics. However ladies and gentlemen, this is a battle they cannot win!

“The experience in Osun calls for eternal vigilance of Nigerians. Nigerians from far and near must be vigilant because the poll robbers are not resting and are not even hiding it. They are on the streets boasting already with their trade to circumvent the process against popular choice of Nigerians. This we must all fight or the nation is doomed in their hands.

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“The most disturbing aspect is that they have collaborators and willing accomplices everywhere. Either in the Election management body, security or even the hallowed temple of justice like the Buga exponent, who have got drenched in his bias disposition to dare all consequences to deliver an absurdity of judgement, which was washed down his face alternately by his bench mate.

“Nigerians must be ready just as we are ready for them in Osun State. They will not win this time. There should be an end to exploits of minority crooks in our land.

“In the meantime, we call on the good people of our dear state, to be calm in steadfastness. They should be calm but be ready to defend their mandate with us. The bandits will not win when we move as one”, the party chief concluded.

Signed:
Dr Akindele Adekunle
Osun State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman

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UK unveils programme for Tinubu’s state visit

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The United Kingdom government has unveiled the programme for the state visit of President Bola Tinubu, scheduled to take place from March 17 to 19. 

According to the itinerary, the visit will be hosted at Windsor Castle and will include bilateral meetings, ceremonial events and engagements with members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Preparations for the visit are scheduled for March 17, with security sweeps, road closures and procession rehearsals taking place ahead of the president’s arrival.

Tinubu will officially arrive the UK on March 18 and will be received by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

A ceremonial welcome will follow on Datchet road, including the playing of national anthems and a guard inspection.

The president will then proceed in a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, where he will be received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The schedule also includes a formal reception, a 21-gun salute and a state luncheon at St George’s Hall.

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Later in the day, Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral meetings with UK officials focusing on trade, security, migration and port development.

The day will conclude with a cultural exchange event showcasing Nigerian artefacts, followed by a state banquet hosted at Windsor Castle.

On March 19, the Nigerian president will hold a private breakfast with the king and queen before departing for London.

While in London, Tinubu is expected to lay a wreath at the The Cenotaph in Westminster.

He will also meet with Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, at 10 Downing Street, for bilateral discussions and a woking lunch.

Other engagements include a meeting with members of the Nigerian diaspora and the signing of bilateral agreements at Buckingham Palace.

The visit will conclude with Tinubu’s departure from RAF Northolt for Nigeria.

The trip marks Nigeria’s first full state visit to the UK in 57 years.

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Four dead, many injured as truck runs into fully-loaded commercial bus in Lagos

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Four passengers have died while many others are seriously injured following a road accident involving a truck and a commercial mini bus along the Lekki–Epe expressway.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the accident occurred “over the weekend” opposite Beechwood in Shapati, inward Ajah.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, spokesperson of the agency, the traffic agency said the crash involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a Suzuki commercial mini bus popularly known as ‘korope’.

According to the agency, preliminary findings indicated that the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle which then veered across the road, crashing into the oncoming commercial bus conveying passengers.

LASTMA said the impact of the collision killed four male passengers instantly, while four other occupants — two males and two females — sustained severe injuries after getting trapped in the wreckage.

The agency said its personnel arrived at the scene promptly and rescued the injured victims from the mangled vehicle with the support of other emergency responders and passersby.

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The injured passengers were taken to Hamon Royal Hospital for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Shency Hospital morgue by an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Officers of the Nigeria police force attached to the Elemoro police division also secured the accident scene and managed traffic during the rescue operation.

LASTMA added that the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled the scene after the crash.

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of LASTMA, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured speedy recovery.

He also urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to adhere to traffic safety regulations and exercise caution to prevent road accidents.

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ADC faction fixes April 3 for national convention

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A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced April 3 to 5 as the date for the election of new members of the national working committee (NWC).

In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC faction said party executives at the ward, LGA, state, and national congresses will be elected through consensus.

In a timetable outlining activities leading up to the national convention, the party said ward congresses will take place on March 19, followed by LGA congresses on March 24, and state congresses on March 28.

The group said the decision was taken to promote unity, inclusivity, and internal cohesion.

“This decision is taken in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), in furtherance of its commitment to promoting unity, cohesion, and inclusiveness within the party,” the statement reads.

“The BOT/NWC believes that the consensus approach will foster greater cooperation, understanding, and collective leadership, ultimately strengthening the party’s ability to achieve its goals and objectives.”

The ADC faction also announced the commencement of a membership registration exercise for new members, which will run from March 14 to 25.

The party said new members are expected to register at their respective ward offices and obtain membership cards through the party’s continuous membership registration committee (CMRC).

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“This exercise is strictly for new members; existing members are not required to renew their membership at this time,” the party said.

The group said issues arising from the various congresses would be addressed accordingly, with petitions from the national convention expected to be resolved between April 6 and 10.

The party faction distanced itself from the ongoing electronic membership mobilisation, registration, and revalidation exercise being conducted by the ADC coalition led by David Mark

The group said the exercise does not follow the procedures outlined in the party’s constitution, adding that the official online membership registration portal would be released later through the party’s authorised channels.

The statement was jointly signed by Nafi’u Bala, the factional national chairman, and Rufus Ikanmi, secretary of the board of trustees (BOT).

The ADC coalition, led by Mark, had earlier  scheduled April 14 for the election of the party’s national officers. 

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