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Tribunal: Adebutu, Ogun PDP tender 8000 exhibits against Abiodun

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Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

The Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu on Tuesday stormed the Election Petition Tribunal with 8,000 documents as exhibits against the victory of Dapo Abiodun at the March 18 Governorship election.

Adebutu in the petition marked, EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023 is challenging victory of Abiodun based on alleged non-compliance to the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the election.

Counsel to Adebutu, Goddy Uche (SAN) presented the documents in various “Ghana-must-go” bags before the Tribunal, sitting at the Magistrate court, Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

He prayed the Three-man panel to admit the documents as evidence against Abiodun.

Uche argued that, the presentation of the “exhibits” followed the instruction of the court in its pre-hearing report that both petitioners and respondents should present their documents for their cases.

Uche said, he had served the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the first, second and third respondents a 98-page schedule of documents, listing all the documents to be tendered before the court.

The documents, according to Uche included: INEC forms, BVAS reports, ECAs, voters’ registers and printed IREV results.

He also prayed the court to allow him call his witnesses for the commencement of trial.

But, counsel to INEC, Peter Olatunbora objected to Uche’s prayers, arguing that the petitioners should have availed the respondents with the documents before presenting them before the court.

Counsel to Abiodun, Kehinde Ogunwunmiju (SAN) asked the court not to admit the documents as evidence, arguing that the petitioner did not follow the laid down procedure for presenting documents before the court.

He prayed the court to give the respondents three days to allow them inspect the documents before admitting them as evidence.

In his submission, counsel to APC, Kunle Kalejaye (SAN) accused the petitioner of attempting to railroad the court into admitting the documents as evidence.

“The application was served on us very late yesterday (Monday) and I’m just seeing it today. The petitioner should give us enough time to allow us go through the documents, instead of attempting to railroad the court into admitting them as evidence”, Kalejaye said.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Hamidu Kunaza in his ruling gave the petitioners two days to allow the respondents inspect the documents.

Kunaza adjourned the case till Thursday, July 6.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the ruling, Adebutu’s counsel said, “We came with all our documents, in fact we came with more than ten bags full of documents and yesterday we also filled a schedule of documents where we listed all the documents we are going to tender. It is about 98 pages, it will contain about 8,000 INEC forms, documents, BVAS reports, ECAs, voters’ registers and even the print out from the IREV.

“But, the respondents said they need time to go and look at them (documents). Well, in the interest of fair hearing, we agreed that they can go and look at them.

“As we have assured the Tribunal, we are very ready to proceed, in fact, if the Tribunal wanted even by tomorrow we will call our witnesses, but as it is, we will bring our documents tomorrow.

“One funny thing is that the order of the Tribunal was even for the Respondents to also bring their own documents and show, but surprisingly, we are here today and they didn’t bring even one document”.

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Gov. Namadi inspects road projects, insists on timely completion

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By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

The Jigawa state governor Malam Umar Namadi  has inspected 26 ongoing road projects across the state and insisted for timely  completion of the work.for the benefit of the public.

The ongoing projects inspected by the governor were mostly rehabilitation and reconstruction of the  roads and bridges damaged by the flooding in the last two years.

Speaking to various contractors, Governor Namadi expressed satisfaction on the quality of the job at the site and urged a speed  work rate for a timely completion.

The Governor told the contractors that Jigawa state is ready to continue patronising any company that demonstrates seriousness and sincerity in handling its work.

“We will not joke about paying your money as soon as you complete the work, however, we will not tolerate or accept any breach of contractual agreement particularly on quality and timely completion in accordance with the specification.”

Governor Namadi assured the Jigawa state people that his government will ensure the completion of all the ongoing road projects, and award new ones to facilitate the movement of goods and services for social and economic development.

While shading more light, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Engineer Gambo S Malam said, the ongoing road projects have a total distance of 360 kilometers, while in some roads the works included rebuilding the collapsed bridges and provisions of new ones .

He added that so many measures were taken in the reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by the flood to prevent such problem In case of any flood in the future..

On their side, the contractors handling various road projects across the 27 local government areas of the state, assured the state governor that they will deliver a quality job and in a good time.

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Makinde appoints Atanda, Ige as Advisory Council member, chairman LG Pension Board

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Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has appointed Chief Adewale Atanda into the Oyo State Advisory Council.

This is just as a former chairman of Ibadan South-East Local Government and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, has been appointed as the chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board.

A letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, indicated that the governor has also appointed eight other people into various positions.

The other newly-appointed persons are as follows: Akeem Oladeji- Full-time member, SUBEB; Dr Monsura Mustapha- Full-time member, SUBEB; Mrs Agbejimi Oladoja Rebecca- Part-time member, SUBEB; Oyewo Oluwaseun Oyedele- Part-time member, SUBEB; Dimeji Ladapo- Part-time member, Civil Service Commission; Mrs Funmi Arulogun- Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora; Mrs Adebayo Omolara- Special Assistant, Culture I; Mr Bolanle Seyi- Special Assistant, Culture II.

Congratulating the new appointees, Makinde charged them to discharge their duties with dedication and loyalty to the state.

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Delta Governor tasks NIPSS on solutions to Nigeria’s challenges

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By Dave Okpogadie

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state has charged the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos, to provide a veritable roadmap for policies that would mitigate the challenges currently confronting Nigeria.

Governor Oborevwori gave the charge yesterday when he received participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the NIPSS led by Air Vice Marshal David Solomon, on courtesy call at Government House, Asaba.

He said, “The importance of your institute is anchored on fostering critical thinking that will encourage training and developing professionals in policy analysis, strategic planning and leadership.

“Being a high level center for informed research, reflection and dialogue, the country looks up to you to provide a road map for true policy initiatives and execution.

“The lnstitute remains our country’s foremost thinking cap in developing a group of high class technocrats. It has also contributed to deepening democracy both in Nigeria and other African countries by providing a platform for learning and sharing of ideas.

“You are, therefore, saddled with the responsibility of managing policies and strategies that will shape Nigeria and indeed, Africa.

“Delta is a state that believes in continuity and I have promised Deltans that I am going to do more for them.

“Your coming to Delta shows that the state is peaceful; not minding what happened on March 14, the Okuama incident.

“We have handled it and the Military had had a lot of restraints. As we speak today, the Military have pulled out of Okuama and we have established an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in that place.

“But that does not mean that those involved will be set free. It is just that the innocent people will not continue to have problems with the Military.

“I want to assure you that coming to Delta State is a good choice and all the information you need will be provided.”

Earlier, the team leader, Air Vice Marshal David Solomon, who spoke on behalf of the Director- General of the Institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said the lnstitute was conceived as a high level institution with the primary objective of serving as the nation’s foremost policy think tank and developing a crop of top class leaders of high intellectual capacity.

He commended Governor Oborevwori for consolidating the tempo of sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the state by continuing from where his predecessor stopped, just as he expressed appreciation to the state government for the warm reception accorded them since their arrival in the state.

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