Abia:  Technology is also on trial here.  Onyema Ugochukwu (PDP) had produced “the” video of Theodore Orji (PPA) fresh off the hook of the EFCC at some shrine in his Y fronts, limbs shackled and the head of a chicken dangerously close to his anus.  The PDP team claimed this was Orji swearing fealty to ex governor Kalu.  Well, the PPA gang came back with 2 videos of their own which they admitted were simulated: One showed Ugochukwu instead of Orji in that very scene; and the other showed Ugochukwu doing…well, something else.  The point being made?  That the seemingly authentic Orji’s video was a technology mischief.  At one point during cross examination, INEC admitted before the Tribunal that the Commission certified a result sheet indicating that 30 billion voters were registered in one of the polling booths in Aba.  An INEC official claimed he did not know where the certifying officer got the copies he used in certifying those results.  The case continues.  Meanwhile, the Okija community has written to the Chairman of the Tribunal decrying efforts by politicians to rubbish their town.

Senator Chris Adighije. (Remember him?  He it was that was neck deep in the Wabara/Education Ministry N55m bribe scandal.  He got some N4.7m while Wabara was reported to have collected N15m from him.)  Anyway, after having being used by OBJ, typically, Adighije found himself without a PDP ticket to re-contest the last elections.  Naturally, he crossed over to the PPA. His challenge of the victory of Nkechi Nwaogu (PDP) was thrown out for “lacking merit”.  Kalu Igu (PDP) lost his House of Reps seat to Arua Arunsi (PPA).  Nkiruka Onyejeocha (PDP) House of Reps election was cancelled.   Emeka Stanley (PPA) lost his House of Reps seat to Nkem Abonta (PDP). The Tribunal also voided the election of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chienedum Elechia (PPA) and awarded his seat to Ikpekchukwu Onuoha (PDP).

Abuja:  Senator Jubril Wowo (ANPP) representing the FTC had his election voided.  Similarly, House of Reps member Nasir Muhammad (ANPP) had his election nullified.  Both were cancelled on the grounds that the candidates of the PAC and the APGA were unlawfully excluded from participating in the polls even though INEC allotted votes to them in the results it announced.

Adamawa:  Murtala Nyako has headed for the Appeal Court since the Tribunal cancelled his elections because INEC unlawfully excluded Ibrahim Bapetel (AC).  Bapetel was actually excluded by INEC a day before the elections with no reasons given whatsoever.  Perhaps he doesn’t have enough potential first ladies.  Nyako has four.

Akwa Ibom:  The Tribunal upheld the election of Godswill Akpabio (PDP) as governor.  Both the AC and ANPP candidates had challenged his election. The AC candidate was told that his petition “lacked merit and could not be substantiated in law.”  ANPP Ewang’s petition was dismissed on the grounds of “disunity” between him and his party.  Meanwhile, in the House of Reps, PDP’s Ita Enang and Etim Bassey had their respective elections nullified.

Anambra:  After the Supreme court threw out Obasanjo’s butler Andy Uba as governor because there was no vacancy to be filled in the first place, the  Electoral Tribunal in July 2007 formally pronounced the April 14^th polls null and void because it claimed no elections took place in the State.  Unbelievably, Uba, in the company of one Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo (NAP) and INEC – yes, INEC! - went back to the Supreme Court asking that body to reverse itself.  Just a few days ago, the Supreme Court derisively dismissed the case stating that it amounted to “a wild goose chase” and labelled Okonkwo as “common crook” and “a blackmailer” and “not fit for a decent society but the jungle among animals."  Why have their Lordships gone out of their way to so christen Okonkwo?  Because this character claimed in his application that he was paid N10 million by Gov. Obi to compromise himself at the Court of Appeal and he did.  It would have been most interesting to hear what their Lordships think of Uba.

Meanwhile the State’s electoral Tribunal also a few days ago dismissed the petition filed by the APGA senatorial candidate, Dr. Mike Areh against PDP’s Senator Joy Emodi for “lack of seriousness” by the petitioner.  The petitioner simply refused to present himself to argue his case.

Bauchi:  The PDP in Bauchi initially filed a petition to challenge the election of Isa Yaguda (ANPP) as governor.  They claimed he was indicted by an Administrative Panel of Enquiry.  However, the PDP candidate, Nadada Umar disassociated himself from his Party’s petition.  Wouldn’t you know it; the whole matter has been settled to “foster unity, peace and development in the State”.

Bayelsa:  The petition filed by Ebitimi Amgbare (AC) claiming no election held in that State was dismissed.  The Tribunal said it could not substantiate those claims and upheld the election of Timipre Sylva (PDP) as governor.  Specifically, the Tribunal said “The petitioner only relied on information from his agents when he ought to cover the whole state.”  Go figure.

Benue:  The Tribunal has nullified two of the three Senatorial elections citing massive malpractices and negligence on the part of INEC.  These were that of the former governor and now Senator George Akume (PDP), and Joseph Akaagerger (PDP).   Meanwhile, the petition against Senate President David Mark is going the way of the conviction case in an Abuja court against one James Onanefe Ibori.  Abracadabra is beginning to happen.  On the 15^th and then again on the 23^rd of January 2008, the Tribunal’s Bailiff and Clerk both raised alarm that some top officials of the tribunal have tampered and altered exhibits tendered by INEC in the petition involving the ANPP candidate and Mark.  The president of the Court of Appeal in Abuja had since summoned the Tribunal’s chairman and registry staff to come and explain themselves.

Also, the Benue Tribunal voided the election of House of Reps member Mr Terngu Tsegba (PDP).  Remember him?  He was the Speaker pro tempore during Ettehgate a few sad months ago.  Another House of Reps member that had his election voided was Emmanuel Jime (PDP).  He belonged to the “Integrity Group” in those heady days.  Yet another HoR member, Mzenda Iho (PDP) had his election quashed.  Much earlier, the election of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Kerseer Tsumba (PDP) was similarly nullified.

Borno:  The Court of Appeal in January upheld the re-election of ANPP’s Ali Sheriff as governor. (He of the 72 vehicles).  The AC candidate filed his petition two days after the mandatory 30 day allowed.  For his troubles, a N30,000 costs was awarded against him.

Cross River:  This Tribunal dismissed all petitions against Liyel Imoke (PDP).  Its chairman said “we hold that the petitioners have not been able to prove the acts of non-compliance that have substantially affected the result of the governorship election".  Furthermore, the Tribunal held that though elections did not hold in Bekwara and the results of three wards were cancelled, that does not sufficiently change the election outcome to necessitate the cancellation of the whole thing.  Appeals are planned.

Delta:  Corruption stalking around on two legs.  The less said about what is going on here, the better.  One larcenous and gluttonous human being called Justice Ayobode Lokulo-Sodipe who chairs the Tribunal has basically camped himself and his members in a posh hotel for months and is openly eating bribe money and food.  He has turned justice and decency upside down.  Uduaghan is just too happy to oblige him.  To make any headway, this Tribunal would have to be scuppered and a new one reconstituted.  Shodipe and his gang should be immediately prosecuted.

Ebonyi:  The Tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Ogbonnaya Onu (ANPP) challenging the election of Martin Elechi (PDP) as governor.  The Tribunal said that Onu’s petition was “inconsistent” and wondered how he would want to be declared winner of an election he claimed was rigged.

Edo:  The election of Prof Osunbor (PDP) as governor is hanging on by a spider’s moustache.  Recounted votes in 12 Local Governments showed evidence of gross inflation of final results announced.  INEC was forced to abruptly close its case when three of its own witnesses testified that the election was thoroughly rigged.

Ekiti:  After another bout of prolong adjournment, this Tribunal resumed sitting late January.  Right off on resumption, an INEC official at the Tribunal testified that at Ido-Osi Local Government, the number of used ballot papers far exceeded the number of accredited voters.  On quite a few occasions, some juju concoctions have been found placed menacingly at the venue of the Tribunal.  Meanwhile on 24.01.2008, OBJ inflicted himself on Ekiti State and promptly told them that only three things can remove a governor in a presidential democratic setup: death, impeachment or resignation. He then turned to Oni and said: “You don’t look like someone who will resign.”  Now, ordinarily, no one looks forward to seeing OBJ associate their name with death or impeachment – ordinarily.

Enugu:  Gov. Sullivan Chime was sacked in January.  The Tribunal found that “the election was not substantially in compliance with the Electoral Act”.  It said that votes were allotted willy-nilly.  This is the contest that received the largest number of petitions nationwide.  Just about all the gubernatorial candidates sent in a petition.  Perhaps Chime had an inkling of what was to come as just 48 hours before, he collapsed in public attempting to lay a wreath.  Meanwhile, Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP) election was nullified because of irregularities following the petition of Joseph Okoloagu (AC).

Gombe:  The AC candidate, former governor Abubakar Hashindu was told by the Tribunal back in October that he could not prove his case against the election of Danjuma Goje (PDP) as governor.

Imo:  Ikedi Ohakim (PPA) is another governor that is hanging on by a clean blade of grass.  Senator Ararume was initially illegally excluded by INEC, then the PDP compounded matters by thumbing its nose at the Supreme Court when that body ruled that Ararume was indeed the legitimate PDP candidate.  Ararume presented evidence (result sheets) that he won in 18 Local governments while violence marred elections in the other 9. Ararume however, had a tough time at the Tribunal.  Too many contradictions.  After the petitioner and two of the defendants have closed their cases, INEC filed exhibit in the 3^rd week of January asking the Tribunal to reopen to enable it to present some result sheets. The Tribunal allowed this! 

Meanwhile, just last week, the Court of Appeal upturned the Tribunal’s decision to dismiss the petition against House of Reps member, Juliet Akano (PDP).  The Appeal Court pointedly accused the Tribunal of “undue display of bias”, and directed that a new Panel be constituted to hear this case again.

Jigawa:  The ANPP’s gubernatorial candidate, Mohammed Kirikasama decided not to challenge PDP Sule Lamido’s victory for “personal reasons”.

Kaduna:  A very curious ruling was handed down by this Tribunal in a House of Reps tussle between the ANPP and the PDP.  After hearing the case and determining that Garba Datti (ANPP) scored 26,846 and Muhammad Sale (PDP) got 24,000 votes, the Tribunal ordered a repeat election anyway.  Datti has appealed.

Kano:  Senator Sule Garo (ANPP) election was nullified when it came to light that he presented a fake West African Examination (WAEC) Certificate.  Also, A House of Reps member, Ibrahim Bichi (ANPP) had his election voided.  Meanwhile, the governorship tussle between Gov Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP) and Ahmed Bachi (PDP) continues.

Katsina:  The academic records of House of Reps member Badamasi Kabir (PDP) requested by the Tribunal are still “missing” at the Federal College of Education, Katsina. Yusuf Sule (ANPP) had challenge the veracity of Kabir’s educational resume at the Tribunal.  But the Provost of the school said the items were not available. “Kabir’s personal file is missing,” he told the Tribunal.  Yeah.  In the meantime, Nura Khalid (ANPP) has appealed against the judgment of the Tribunal upholding the victory of Gov Ibrahim Shema (PDP).

Kebbi:  Yar’Adua’s son-in-law Saidu Dakingari of the PDP has headed for the Appeal Court following the cancellation of his governorship election.  It was found that Dakingari was substituted for another person as the governorship candidate of the PDP on February 5^th, while his membership card of the party was dated February 10^th. 

The election of Senator Tanko Ayuba (PDP) was also nullified by the Tribunal because of irregularity and fraud.  The late Musa Bamaiyi, who originally won the primaries, had been asked by the PDP to withdraw for Ayuba. Bamayi protested in court, and the court nullified Ayuba's nomination for Bamaiyi to contest. But the order was ignored by INEC. 

Kogi:  Ibrahim Idris (PDP) has similarly headed for the Appeal Court since his election was cancelled by the Tribunal because INEC illegally excluded Abubakar Audu (ANPP).  The case has been heard and the Court initially indicated that it would give its verdict about 3 weeks ago but it later adjourned.  Also, the Tribunal also nullified the election of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Clarence Olafemi (PDP).

Kwara:  After about eight months, the three petitions against Gov Bukola Saraki (PDP) only just got going two weeks ago.  One of the petitions is from his sister, Miss Oyinkansola Saraki (PPA).  The Court of Appeal has ordered that a fresh Panel be constituted to hear her case.   INEC had illegally excluded Miss Saraki from the polls - her name simply did not appear on the ballot papers - and the Tribunal in a very twisted judgement upheld INEC’s case.  The National Judicial Council is looking at disbarment of the Tribunal members.  It would appear that there is familial disharmony in the State.  Meanwhile, two House of Assembly members, PDP’s Murianna Ayantola and Kola Bukola, had their elections nullified.

Lagos:  Jimi Agbaje’s (DPA) challenge to Fashola’s governorship election based on his photograph being omitted on the ballot paper was thrown out by the Tribunal.  Similarly, the PDP’s Obanikoro challenge was thrown out later because, as the Tibunal chairman put it: “for want of diligent prosecution”.  And just a few days ago, the Court of Appeal also dismissed Obanikoro’s appeal because “since the notice of appeal was filed, the appellant had failed to file his brief.” I’m not a lawyer, but I take all that to mean perhaps Obanikoro seems more preoccupied with being an Ambassador than push his petition.   Meanwhile, Tunde Isiaq (AC) had his House of Reps seat nullified.

Nasarawa:  The Tribunal has fixed February 12 2008 for ruling on the governorship case brought before it by the ANPP candidate against Aliyu Doma (PDP). Meanwhile, it sacked the House of Assembly Majority Leader, Abduhamid Kwarra (PDP) because it was proven that the certificates he presented (one from the University of Jos and the other an NYSC discharge certificate) were forged.  Another Assemblyman, Patrick Ebinyi (PDP) tendered his resignation letter to the House after it came to light at the Tribunal that he too forged both the WAEC and the Nasarawa State College of Education certificates he presented.  Mr Ebinyi is currently on the run.   

Niger: Here, three PDP National Assembly members - Senators Isah Mohammed and Mulu Aliyu, and House of Reps member Mohammed Bello - were dragged to the Tribunal for forging educational qualifications.  The petition of the ANPP candidate against the election of Babaginda Aliyu (PDP) as governor also continues.

Ogun:  This Tribunal created a first when it threw out the challenge of Ibikunle Amosun (ANPP) on technicalities.  According to the Tribunal, Amosun did not indicate on his petition papers his party, age, qualification and nationality.  This is amazing but none-the-less careless of Amosun.  Perhaps it is a good thing he is not the governor.  That of the AC’s Dipo Dina continues, and speaking of technicalities; this camp presented in evidence a True Certified Copy of Form EC.8E.  This is the election result sheet.  According to the Electoral Act, this has to be signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner to be valid.  The one presented and testified to by INEC was unsigned.  Over to the Tribunal. 

In the meantime, the election of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello (PDP) was challenged by Remilekun Bakare (AC) on the grounds that she is an ex-convict.  Bakare tendered documents showing that Ms Obasanjo-Bello was twice convicted for traffic offences in the USA.  Bakare’s documents were not accepted as evidence.  Why?  He downloaded them from the internet.

Ondo:  Since July 2007, this Tribunal has achieved nothing but sit through painful and tedious arguments and counter arguments by lawyers just on what could or could not be admissible as evidence.  It recently admitted into evidence a video showing the abduction and detention of Labour party leaders, amongst others.  Meanwhile, outside the tribunal, supporters of the PDP and Labour Party regularly and routinely engage themselves in wobbly physical combat.

Osun: Here, a tragicomedy daily unfolds as the Rauf Aregbesola (AC) challenges the election of Gov Olagunsoye Oyinlola (PDP).  Just last week, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Niyi Owolade was fingered at the Tribunal as one of the thugs notorious for snatching ballot boxes during the State’s gubernatorial election.  Another witness, an AC agent accused his own party of allegedly snatching ballot boxes during the election.  Yet another witness who claimed that he saw police engaged in vote rigging turned around in the witness box and refused to identify his own statement claiming he has sight problems.  It careens on in this pitiful manner.

Oyo:  As was widely speculated, evidence presented at this Tribunal confirmed that Adebayo Alao-Akala (PDP), the figurehead governor was indeed kicked out of the Nigerian Police Force.  Ain’t that something?  Akala was too tainted even for the Nigerian Police!  Anyway, Abiola Ajimobi (ANPP) challenge seems to be proceeding fairly well.  Last November, INEC tendered two different results collated during the governorship election in the state.   The different results were admitted as evidence.  INEC acknowledged that some results were either altered, re-written or cancelled.  It further confessed that the results entered for Alao-Akala were altered on the results sheet.

Meanwhile, the Tribunal nullified the election of the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Michael Okunade (PDP), due to falsification of results.  This brings to four the number of members of the House of Assembly who have had their elections nullified by the Tribunal for this same reason.

Plateau:  The tribunal voided the election of the Speaker of the House of Assembly Emmanuel Goar (PDP) because the DPP candidate was excluded by INEC. This is the trend in Plateau I’m afraid:  Senator John Shagaya (PDP) – a true IBB boy in the days of yore had his election “annulled” because the DPP candidate was illegally excluded.  Also, Senator Sati Godwin (AC) went the same way because the DPP candidate was excluded.

River:  Err…Supreme Court.

Sokoto:  Contrary to most expectations, the DPP petition against Magatarda Wamakko (PDP) election as governor was struck out.  The DPP challenged Wamakko’s election because it claimed that Wamakko was also the candidate of the ANPP.  You see, Wamakko was plucked from the ANPP by the PDP and promptly displaced Murktar Shagari (former Water Minister) who had won his Party’s primary, just before the election.  Shagari had since been settled with the deputy governorship.  Wamakko apparently did not have enough time to resign his ANPP membership.  Also Wamakko in his CF001 form had one Senator Bello Gada as his running mate but he campaigned with Shagari as the deputy governorship candidate.  Shagari did not fill the Form CF001 and did not swear the Affidavit of Personal Particulars of persons seeking election to contest for the post of deputy governor until the 27^th of April 2007, 13 days after the election had taken place.  DPP has appealed the Tribunal’s ruling.

Taraba:  The PPA candidate challenged the election of Danbaba Suntai (PDP) because he claimed the latter was indicted by a Commission of Inquiry for a fertilizer scam and that this precludes Suntai from holding public office for 10 years.  Even better was the petition of the AC’s candidate.  He alleged that Suntai is unfit to hold any political office due to a long standing psychiatric problem.  He actually tendered documents which he said supported his claim.  He further accused the deputy governor of falsifying a certificate of the Federal University of Technology, Yola.  Gov Suntai survived.

Yobe:  Adamu Waziri (PDP) has appealed the decision of the Tribunal upholding the election of Mamman Ali (ANPP) as governor.  Waziri maintains that the candidature of Ali was illegal and was contrary to the order of a Kaduna Federal High Court of 19^th March 2007, which declared Mamman Albishir as the rightful candidate of the ANPP.  Mind you, an appellate court had in July 2007 set aside the judgment of the Kaduna Federal High Court, that Albishir was the authentic candidate of the party; and the Supreme Court had similarly endorsed this.  However, Waziri – who is currently the Federal Minister of State for Agriculture - is not deterred.  Strange.

Zamfara:  This Tribunal nullified the election of two members of the House of Assembly.  These were ANPP’s Kabiru Mohammed and Yahaya Giwa.  The two elections were declared invalid because they were “not properly conducted”.

Prof Iwu (still INEC Chairman!) and, lately, many of his minions, have severally declared that the elections were free, fair and credible; and will stand the test of time.  Well…

demdem@hotmail.co.uk

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle1577=encodeURIComponent(Election Tr...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 05.02.2008 10:29

Ochi Dabari  Villager

# 2 Thanks for an exellent round-up, Michael. I wholly agree with Prof Iwuruwuru that the elections will stand the test of time. I don't think any other country will be able to hold that level of sham and call it elections. But since we are talking about Nigeria, where things progressively worsen with time, I am not sure someone much worse than Iwuruwuru will not handle the elections in 2011. At least his very strange results will stand the test of time for another 3 years. That's a very long time in a country that did not know that year 2000 was eventually going to materialise. We were promised everything for year 2000; 8 years down the line, we are worse than we were when those promises were made. ochi =Robot;4294986312>var sbtitle1577=encodeURIComponent(Election Tr...Read the full article. Posted by Ochi Dabari| 05.02.2008 22:12

Gladiator  Villager

# 3 Thanks for a good summarised review of the various States' Election Tribunals. It should be now clear that the yearned for renaissance of Nigeria's judiciary is patchy at best. This review shows sickening signs that the indelible hand of corruption continues to sabotage any vestige of redeemability that may reside in these lepers of compromised leeches that call themselves "Justices" of a court of law. Delta, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, & Sokoto States all stick out like sore thumbs. No doubt the sorry-excuses-for-justices in those States' Election Tribunals will hand down illogical and perverse judgements but there is a glimmer of hope that they will be over-turned by the less contaminated Court of Appeal. Posted by Gladiator| 06.02.2008 07:25

Kabikala  Villager

# 4 Michael, Thank you for the update. It was detailed enough though it was obvious that you couldn't hide your prejudices in a few instances. I quite understand though. Posted by Kabikala| 06.02.2008 10:43