Innocent Ojefia Blog

As of today, our moral compass is not merely wavering; it is spinning in a disorienting dance of confusion. While we still gather in churches and mosques, donning our Sunday best or devout attire, the sacred words now merely graze the surface, failing to penetrate the soul. The Nigerian spirit, once founded on integrity, decency, and a beautiful tapestry of communal love, is fraying at the edges, overshadowed by a new and desperate gospel: "Survive. Thrive. By any means necessary." Young Nigerians, armed with talents and dreams as vast as the desert, find themselves ensnared in a labyrinth of ethical compromises. The desperation to not merely succeed but to achieve greatness at any cost has become a blinding light, dimming the beacons of decency we once depended on. We awaken daily to a symphony of distressing news: Everywhere you go, it is the same trade mark, the same hand writing. Insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and ritual killings. There is record-breaki...

The former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has urged all Nigerians, especially politicians to get down to the business of rebuilding Nigeria with the final seal on the Tinubu presidency as affirmed by the Supreme Court judgment. Reacting to the judgment that validated and upheld the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal on the election of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said the judgment has effectively ended all jostling on politics and leadership. "What the Supreme Court did is not just to affirm the validity of President Bola Tinubu's mandate, but a call to duty. The learned Justices saved Nigeria from unnecessary and prolonged distractions by promptly giving their verdict so that we can get down to the task of rebuilding our country. "Whatever each of the protagonists may feel, this is not a victory for President Tinubu alone or any political party. This is admonition for us to collectively work towards fixing Nigeria again," Omo-A...

Guess the Supreme Court did not review the “evidence” in their letter. A letter of one man’s opinion put forth here as “evidence”. Really sad how some so easily debase themselves when they allow their emotions and passions to control their thoughts. A situation now going on in USA since Trump took control of the soul of Republican Party. So much so that even those hitherto respected became choir to the lies and deceit:  They all "won" because they believed that it was ordained and mandated that they would win and how dare anyone disagree. And how dare anyone question that their “story” is not enough evidence.” Unfortunately for them, while many in the society would react and even buy into their stories, the courts that ultimately decided, wanted one thing and one thing only: EVIDENCE! A substantiated and adjudicated evidence not as hangs on, pastors, priests, imams, bishops, cardinals, voodoo master, chiefs, kings, Alhajis, etc said. But Evidence they did not present and woul...

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will finally deliver judgement in the appeals lodged by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi and his PDP counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Thursday,  October 2023. The legal teams of both the PDP and the LP candidates confirmed that the judgment on the appeals had been scheduled for tomorrow. In their legal briefs adopted at the apex court on Monday, Obi and Atiku are praying the court to overturn the judgment by the presidential election tribunal which affirmed the election of  Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu. More details to follow…

Chief Dele Momodu's passion and unwavering support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the current Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke is admirable. However, the air he claims has been cleared over the lingering controversy surrounding Atiku Abubakar's educational background is still hanging. I implore him to go back to our former Vice President after reading this piece for more clarification. *The Atiku WAEC Certificate Saga;* At Jada Primary School, his name was registered as Atiku Kojoli At Adamawa Provincial Secondary School, he registered as Atiku Abubakar But when he was to join Nigerian Customs, he presented a WAEC certificate that belong to 'Siddik Abubakar'. He them went to court to obtain an affidavit. The Affidavit read :Sadiq Abubakar (not Siddik as contained on WAEC certificate) is same person as Atiku Abubakar. At ABU Diploma in Hygiene, he bears Atiku Abubakar  Then he went to obtain a postgraduate certificate (miraculously without a undergrad...

The supreme court will on Monday hear the appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the judgment which affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu. The court sent out hearing notices to the counsels for the respective parties on Thursday. Abubakar and the PDP had filed a petition challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election. Among several issues raised, the petitioners alleged that the election was fraught with irregularities and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act. They also alleged that Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima were not qualified to contest and did not win the election by the majority of lawful votes cast. However, the presidential election petition tribunal, in its judgment on September 6, held that Abubakar failed to prove all the averments in his petition. Aggrieved, the PDP candidate filed an appeal before the apex court on September 18. In the 35 grounds notice o...

Noboa with little experience in politics was elected the youngest-ever president. He won 52.1 per cent of the vote after South American nation went to the polls on Sunday, compared with opponent Luisa González’s 47.9 per cent. His political career only started in 2021, when he got a seat in the National Assembly and chaired its Economic Development Commission. Mr Noboa’s father Álvaro, who unsuccessfully ran for president five times, is the richest man in Ecuador. His corporation started in the growing and shipping of bananas — Ecuador’s main crop — and now includes more than 128 companies in dozens of countries. He has come into power at a time when Ecuadorians’ main concern is reportedly about safety amid rampant drug-trafficking-related violence. The government’s inability to tackle the unrest was laid bare in August, with the assassination of presidential candidate and anti-corruption crusader Fernando Villavicencio. Since then, other politicians and leaders have been killed or kid...

Investigation by this newspaper revealed that Dongban-Mensem acted in response to an avalanche of petitions and protests by political parties and their candidates, who allege that the judges of the tribunals were heavily compromised by the governors during the trial stage in their respective states. Consequently, was told that all appellate cases arising from the judgement of the various election petition tribunals in the 36 states of the country would be heard and determined in Abuja and Lagos divisions of the Appeal Court. By this action of Dongban-Mensem, only two of the 20 divisions of the court would determine all appellate cases arising from the judgements of the elections petition tribunals throughout the country. The order affects gubernatorial, national and state assemblies’ elections, which have the court of appeal as the last court of adjudication. A source in the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja revealed that all appellate cases arising from the judgements of the elect...

The attention of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has been drawn to some developments in Nigeria's coastal economy, and to publications which report the proposed appointment of a certain fellow (not Ijaw) as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.  We are constrained by the exigencies of the recent federal political developments, especially in terms of appointments, which are skewed in favour of one ethnic nationality to make the following assertions: (1) That the Ijaw have been left out of the present government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have no representation in the entire executive branch of the Federal Government of Nigeria, except for only one federal Ministerial position. We assert that this is not acceptable to the Ijaw people who are major contributors to the Nigerian economy. The Ijaw nation has the dominant population in five coastal states of Nigeria and contribute disproportionately to the revenue of the country. (2) That we the Ijaw live in and oc...

The Delta State Election Petition Tribunal regrettably upheld the election of Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP as Delta State Governor. Reacting to the development, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege and the All Progressives Congress APC rejected the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal ruling. Ovie Omo-Agege described the tribunal’s verdict as “unfair” and “a miscarriage of justice” and has since appealed against the judgment. On closer examination of the decision of the tribunal, it becomes obvious that the laws governing the election were abused, misused, or manipulated in order to arrive at the final verdict. Clearly, the judgment defied the spirit of the 2022 Electoral Act, as well as common sense and logical reasoning. A crucial question arises: Can an unmarked ballot paper, lacking a signature, stamp, and date, be deemed a valid vote? Apparently, the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal might have been unaware of the recent amendments to the electoral law as reflected in the ...

During the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal hearing, the APC and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege presented a compelling argument that is vital to removing the grip of a party that is holding power without delivering development. Because of Governor Okowa-Oborevwori's unwavering will to stay in office, the administration has been luring judges with risky tactics, which gave them Pyrrhic victory at the tribunal. It is, however, reassuring that Ovie Omo-Agege swiftly directed his legal team to appeal, anticipating the setback. There is no doubt that Deltans are tired of witnessing the stagnation and decay in our beloved State, and they fervently hoped for a verdict of change and revival of our State's progress and development. Ovie Omo-Agege and the APC presented a compelling case. This is known to every sincere Deltan who does not benefit from the decay and underdevelopment of our dear State under the People's Democratic Party. Governor Okowa-Oborevwori's determinati...

Human nature often leads people to embrace their opinions and desires, irrespective of factual evidence. This inclination highlights how personal preferences and biases can sway one's perception and acceptance of information, occasionally causing them to prioritize wishes over established truths. It underscores the intricate interplay between emotions and rationality in human decision-making, emphasizing how desires can shape beliefs and actions. The BBC has vindicated Tinubu in the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu's academic records, addressing key points that exonerate him from allegations of forging his college diploma: The BBC's Global Disinformation Team found no evidence supporting claims that President Tinubu's diploma submitted to Nigeria's electoral commission was forged. President Tinubu's academic records were released due to a legal case initiated by his political rival, Atiku Abubakar, who accused him of diploma falsification. Chicago S...

I am highly disappointed in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in his utterances when answering questions at his press conference on 5th October, 2023 in Abuja.  What audacity? What reckless administration that willingly undermine election process? What democrat is Atiku with that statement? Is he the owner of Nigeria to have got the gut for himself and Obasanjo to allocate victory to PDP in their era?  Does Nigeria belong to Obasanjo and Atiku? Is someone believing his 'cock and bull' alleged victory? Atiku was quoted as saying, "... in 2003, PDP took over all the South Western States, with the exception of Lagos. " I stood between Obasanjo and himself (Tinubu), I said no, you (Obasanjo) can't take over Lagos, leave it, and he (Obasanjo) left it. This is how they played their politics since 2003. Not that they democratically won States, THEY TOOK OVER STATES." The failure of Democracy didn't start today. It started in 1999 under Olusegun Obasanjo's PDP led admini...

  After publicly receiving the deposition from Chicago State University (CSU), Atiku has filed the same at the Supreme Court. Challenges Ahead The Supreme Court is a court of appeal for judgments of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) of 6th September 2023, and, as such, it is not a court for the admission of fresh evidence in election matters. The PEPT, which is the exclusive court for admitting evidence, whether old or fresh in election matters, has heard Atiku's petition and has delivered its judgment. Throughout the hearing of his petition, Atiku never presented any documentary evidence challenging Tinubu's certificate at the PEPT. Consequently, he is apparently precluded from introducing any evidence, whether "fresh" or "old," to the Supreme Court, considering that election matters are time-bound. The crucial question is this: even if, in the unlikely event, the deposition is admitted, what legal consequence will it have for President Tin...

As I have stressed repeatedly, I have no partisan emotional investment in the political brawl between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, or in who is and is not president of Nigeria. My only partisan affinity is with the truth or, to reecho iconic Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, the best obtainable version of the truth. This intervention is for people who genuinely want clarity from the blinding maze of propaganda and intentional falsehoods flying around. It’s not for sentimental partisan hacks and political devotees who just want an affirmation of and a comfort to their prejudices and preconceptions. As an American citizen, a graduate of two American universities, and a professor in one, I can tell the reader three major things Atiku’s Nigerian lawyers and his supporters on social media— and in some openly partisan news sites— are getting wrong.   The major one is the idea that because Tinubu presented a certificate (called a “diploma” i...

Throughout his political career, Atiku has demonstrated his desperate desire to run for president, and his "World" press conference was no different. It became clear during the so-called World Press Conference that Atiku has a deep grudge against Tinubu, whom he blames for his electoral losses over the years. Atiku's utter desperation exposed him as an opportunistic hypocrite for dropping Gani Fawehinmi's name. This was to give legitimacy and credence to his inordinate ambition to be Nigeria's president. Abubakar Atiku and members of the anti-Tinubu group are shameless losers holding onto dry twigs by the side of a slippery slope cliff. The accusations are nothing more than smears like you guys did against Buhari. The PDP propaganda of Buhari’s “uneducated, forged high school certificate, photo-shopped his classmate's picture”, how did that work out for you? What really is the end result of all these noises you guys are making? Tinubu forged a diploma but atte...

In a sign of division within the ranks, key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were conspicuously absent from the world press conference hosted by PDP's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Thursday. None of the members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC), including the Acting National Chairman, Amb Umar Damagum, graced the occasion. Similarly, none of the party's 13 serving governors or its representatives in the National Assembly made an appearance. Among the expected attendees who failed to appear was the PDP vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. A few PDP leaders who did attend the conference included the suspended PDP national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and former chairman Prince Uche Secondus. Others in attendance were former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka; former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa; former PDP National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi; and former Senate President, Dr. ...

 The Chicago state University (CSU), has made new verdict over Diploma President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The school on Thursday, revealed that the diploma submitted by the president to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)is valid. CSU confirmed the certificate and that of 1979 it presented to the President on graduation is valid. CSU, in an affidavit it presented to the court in Chicago, said: ” Chicago State University provided a Diploma to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequently provided a certified copy of that Diploma. Both are valid and authentic Diplomas of the Chicago State University. ”There are certain differences between the Diploma and the certified copy because all diplomas are signed by the current President/Board Chairman. There are also differences in the font and seal on the Diploma because the University updated its seal and font after the diploma was issued. ”The difference in the date of awar...