Innocent Ojefia Blog

Today, the 29th of September, 2023, the Governorship Election Tribunal holden in Asaba, Delta State gave judgement in our petition challenging the return of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The outcome is not what we expected.  Let it be said with every sense of conviction and responsibility that in reaching its judgment, the Tribunal in Asaba, in our respectful view, failed to avert its mind to the intendment of the plethora of unambiguous innovations now contained in the Electoral Act, 2022. In relation to the instant petition, these are most particularly evident in sections 137 and 73(2) and paragraph 46(4) [First Schedule) of the Act mandating the Tribunal on how to properly handle the required evidence duly placed before it by the petitioners in proof of the petition and corroborated by INEC itself.  We hold the reasoned view that if the Tribunal dutifully attended to the unassailabl...

  The Delta State Governorship election petition tribunal is scheduled to announce its judgment on September 29, in response to the petitions contesting Sheriff Oborevwori's victory. Sheriff Oborevwori, representing the PDP, was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the State by the Independent National Election Commission. However, dissatisfaction with the election outcome prompted three political parties, namely the APC, SDP, and LP, to file separate petitions with the tribunal in an effort to nullify Oborevwori's victory. Gbagi, one of the petitioners, argued that both Sheriff Oborevwori and Ovie Omo-Agege were ineligible to run for the Governorship. Notably, many of Gbagi's claims pertained to pre-election matters. Ken Pela, representing the LP, raised concerns about Sheriff Oborevwori's eligibility, non-compliance with electoral law during the March 18 election, and the validity of the majority of lawful votes.  Ovie Omo-Agege, of the APC...

As said by a friend who didn't want his name mentioned, "Not only money to bribe judges. Before Governor Ifeanyi Okowa left office, he made DTSG sign MOU with the Federal Ministry of Sports for Delta State to be the only host of National/International Sports Festivals in Nigeria.  "Why? Because his junior brother, Tonoboks Okowa was the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission. Between November 2022 till date Delta State has hosted 5 Sports Festivals in Asaba at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.  "Another one is now being planned for the last week of this month, also here at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The Sports Festivals are avenues to launder Delta State funds irresponsibly. Okowa's brother has just opened a brand new hotel/lounge on Okpanam where EVERY FACILITIES were imported." Okowa is running his third tenure and to him it is a compulsory project. Another friend said Okowa instructed his party people that failed election in the state that they must go to ...

The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has ruled in favor of Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring him the winner of the Kano governorship election. The tribunal invalidated 165,663 votes from Abba Kabir Yusuf's total votes, citing issues with ballot papers that were not stamped or signed. This decision comes after a legal challenge by Nasiru Gawuna, who contested the victory of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the March 18, 2023 elections. The tribunal, led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, has now directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and award it to Nasiru Gawuna. Prior to the tribunal's judgment, both the ruling party and the opposition parties engaged in prayer sessions and raised concerns of interference with the judgment. Justice Flora Azinge also reported an attempt to bribe one of the tribunal's...

  Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, and the APC believe in the justice system's ability to uphold fairness and justice. We await the tribunal's verdict on the 2023 Delta State governorship election. Omo-Agege, CFR, as a responsible citizen, respects the pivotal role played by the courts in ensuring justice and that is why they filed their petition at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the governorship election results. His faith in the judiciary's impartiality and courage is bolstered by his familiarity with legal proceedings. This emphasizes the judiciary's crucial role in maintaining electoral integrity. Omo-Agege's concerns centre on the 2023 Delta State election and how it was conducted by INEC. He believes it is the duty of the judiciary to rectify any flaws and uphold the transparency promised by the 2022 electoral law. His ultimate goal in pursuing this legal course is to enhance democracy by ensuring that electoral processes are fair and unb...

Interim Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's first 100 days in office have been met with deep disappointment by Delta State residents. This initial period has been characterized as dull and colourless, lacking any substantial governance initiatives that could have uplifted the State. Deltans have valid reasons to express their frustration, as there is a notable absence of tangible accomplishments to show for the governor's administration during this time. Instead of focusing on meaningful governance, interim Governor Oborevwori appears to have been preoccupied with photo opportunities and courtesy visits, which, while they may offer a fleeting sense of activity, do not translate into concrete progress for the State. Even the few projects commissioned during this period were not original to this administration but rather projects left behind by the previous administration. The announcement of road reconstruction in Warri was a welcome gesture, but it falls short of addressing the broad...

There is no doubt that the PEPT judgment infuriated both Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi. It is intended by both parties to seek redress in the Supreme Court, the highest court in such matters. Despite their right to do so, it is doubtful if it will alter the outcome. In Nigeria, overturning a presidential election has been a daunting challenge, that has not yet been achieved. At this point, the chances of success seem extremely slim. The key facts are relatively straightforward. $460K Forfeiture - Regardless of whether a crime was committed or not, it occurred more than 30 years ago, surpassing the 10-year limit stipulated by our laws. Even if one proved a crime, the statute of limitations expired. This is not a matter of emotion; it aligns with our constitution, which prevents individuals from contesting elections following a criminal conviction within a 10-year window. This provision recognizes the potential for rehabilitation and avoids imposing a lifelong ban on holding ...

 The Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, has opined that the legal representatives of the candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not do a good job in the presidential election matter they handled. National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson, stated that the lapses in the presentations by the counsel for LP and PDP were regrettable, adding that the lawyers did not do due diligence on the matter. Robinson said: “We followed the extensive judgment that lasted for about 11 hours and it was elaborate. The justices of Court of Appeal made exclusive explanations and detailed ruling on the matter. “For an ordinary man who is not a lawyer, what we saw and witnessed yesterday, seems to be sound and the statements that the judges made were explicit that even the ordinary man will understand that the petitioners did not do a good job. “Of course, there is room for appeal by those who are dissatisfied with the judgement of the tribunal. W...

The petitioners had contested Tinubu's eligibility for the presidential election, claiming a prior indictment and a $460,000.00 fine by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in Case No: 93C 4483, for an offense related to dishonesty and drug trafficking. They argued that such an indictment constituted grounds for disqualification under section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The court determined that Obi and the LP failed to demonstrate that Tinubu had been indicted, arraigned, tried, or convicted for any criminal offense in the USA. Additionally, the court highlighted that in 2003, the Inspector General of Police had sent a letter, and the American Embassy had confirmed that there was no criminal record against Tinubu in its centralized information center. It emphasized that both the IGP's letter and the US Embassy's response were public documents admissible in evidence. Moreover, the court noted that a decade ...

The opposition should not to raise your hope. When you examine all the evidence presented by the parties to the cases against Tinubu and INEC, none of them is concrete. A lot of them were fabricated. Some of them are outright lies, stupid, ridiculous and embarrassing. Their lawyers failed Law School woefully. They don't understand how technology works. They don't know that there can be technical glitches in the devices used by INEC and Amazon servers that INEC used. As a matter of fact, others have experienced glitches before and during the period that INEC rented their server from Amazon. So did a lot companies around the world that also use Amazon AWS. No technology in the world is perfect and any of those devices and software could have glitches at any point in time, so could any third-party services they might use. Their lawyers don't understand the electoral law and the constitution. The law is very explicit as regard the conduct of the elections in Nigeria, so is the ...

  Upon the announcement of Mr. Chiedu Ebie's appointment as the new Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), there was a sense of celebration at the Owa-Alidinma oil flow station, close to his hometown of Agbor-Alidinma. Workers and engineers from Pan-Ocean Oil Company, along with those from Obi Anyima and Ekuku-Agbor oil wells, gathered to welcome him back to the petroleum industry. As an experienced technocrat and a player in the oil sector, with his community boasting oil-yielding wells and crude gathering stations, Chiedu Ebie's appointment brings new expectations. The entire Niger Delta region, spanning nine states and currently a hub for crude oil production in Nigeria, looks to him and the NDDC to address infrastructure and human capital deficits. Chiedu Ebie, born into a family of accomplished individuals, including his father, Professor John C. Ebie, and uncle, Sir Fortune Ebie, has consistently upheld the legacy of excellence. His public service jour...

Happy birthday to an incredibly special individual who brings joy to everyone around him! Your big heart radiates love, making every day spent with you a guaranteed good one. It's evident that you have a huge heart. However, having known you for a while now, I can personally attest to your genuine kindness and compassion. You are one of the most caring and compassionate people I know, and your good-hearted nature is evident to anyone who crosses your path. You have achieved remarkable things because of your humanitarian spirit, which sets you apart in a world where many focus on personal gains. Your dedication to helping others and making the world a better place is truly commendable. You inspire us all, and we appreciate your gentle guidance and advice. May your birthday be as wonderful as you are, and may you have an enjoyable day not only today but throughout. May each morning greet you with a smile. Happy birthday!  

  Lauretta Onochie, the former Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), finds herself in a precarious situation in the United Kingdom, according to information gathered by SaharaReporters. Following President Bola Tinubu's decision to dismiss the board she led, Onochie reportedly fled Nigeria for the UK. Her sudden departure may be related to the financial scandals that plagued the NDDC during her tenure. Upon arriving in the UK, she sought refuge in her cousin's apartment in Barking Town, East London. However, she was met with rejection and eviction from the property. A family member, speaking anonymously to SaharaReporters, shared, "Lauretta Onochie has fled to the UK and she's currently homeless because she doesn't have anywhere to stay. Seems she wasn't expecting her dismissal yet. The President's decision really shocked her. "On getting to the UK, she made an attempt to force herself into her cousin’s house in Salamanca ...

  A democracy's stability can be compared to the stability of a free market. It hinges on the premise that individuals act rationally within a system devoid of overwhelming external influences. Overall, they opt for responsible governance over the long term. However, the democratic dilemma lies in the possibility that those called upon to make informed choices might not always be able to do so. A well-functioning democracy relies on its citizens to make reasoned decisions, particularly when casting their votes in elections to select the most qualified candidates who can realize their vision of an ideal society. Through their votes, individuals wield the power to shape their society's leadership, laws, and policies. However, voters do not always exhibit rational behaviour. The significance of rational voting becomes evident when reflecting on numerous historical instances where democratic societies elected leaders who caused significant harm. The issue of whether, when, ...

  According to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy President of the Senate and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, the perception and narrative surrounding the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should be transformed into that of an agency that genuinely addresses the needs of the Niger Delta region. Omo-Agege believes that the NDDC has the potential to make a significant impact in the region, and it should be seen as a catalyst for development and progress. In praising the appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Omo-Agege specifically mentioned Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who was nominated as chairman of the NDDC, and Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. Omo-Agege expressed confidence in their abilities and stated that their roles would contribute to positive changes within the commission.  He urged both of them to utilize the commission's resources for the benefit of the N...