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Supreme Court fixes date to hear Atiku’s appeal against Tinubu’s victory at PEPT

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The Supreme Court has fixed Monday, October 23, 2023, for hearing of an appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar, challenging the judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Bola Tinubu.

Atiku had pleaded with the Supreme Court to jettison technicality and grant his application for leave to tender fresh and additional evidence to support his claim that Tinubu submitted a forged document to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the February 25 presidential election.

Atiku predicated his plea on the grounds that presenting forged documents by any candidate, especially by a candidate for the highest office in the land, is a very grave constitutional issue that must not be encouraged.

The former vice president stated this in his reply on point of law to Tinubu’s objection to the grant of leave to Atiku to present the fresh evidence before the apex court.

And in a memo on Thursday, the apex court fixed Monday, October 23, for hearing of the appeal.

Politics

Atiku to call 100 witnesses to testify against Tinubu

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Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that no fewer than 100 witnesses are ready to testify against President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The petitioners intend to call not more than 100 witnesses.”

Chris Uche, Mr Abubakar’s lawyer, told the Court on Saturday morning.He further revealed that he and the respondents have agreed on the number of witnesses to take the stand as well as the minutes to be allotted to each witness.

“The parties have all met and considered and agreed on the witnesses and duration of the examination of witnesses and the examination in chief, cross-examination and re-examination and we have also agreed to streamline the number of witnesses as well as the duration of each party to call witnesses subject to ratification by the honorable court,” Mr Uche told the Court.

According to him, it was proposed that 30 minutes be allocated to the star witnesses of the respondents which include INEC, Mr Tinubu and his party, APC.

“We also proposed 30 mins for evidence in chief and 30 mins for cross-examination of the star witnesses for the respondents,” disclosed Mr Uche.

He added that the petitioners “are suggesting that there should be no cross-examination of a respondent witness by a respondent” stressing that “the petitioners intend to call not more than 100 witnesses.”

Meanwhile, Haruna Simon Tsammani, the chair of the five-member panel of justices, adjourned the case to May 22, following Roland Otaru’s request to adjourn the matter for the consolidation of petitions from the Labour Party and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Mr Otaru, a lawyer on Mr Tinubu’s legal team, requested adjournment because of the absence of the team’s lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun.

The Court has scheduled Monday, May 22, for the ruling on the application to livestream proceedings.

Politics

EFCC and ICPC ask court to dismiss Keyamo’s suit seeking Atiku’s probe

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) have approached a federal high court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour, seeking the probe and prosecution of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Keyamo had filed a lawsuit seeking a court order for the law enforcement agencies to arrest the former vice president following an audio recording released by Michael Achimugu, Atiku’s former aide.

Achimugu had claimed that Atiku used shell organizations to divert public funds. However, ICPC and EFCC’s lawyers faulted the competence of the suit and prayed the court for its dismissal on grounds of not meeting the requirements of the law.

They argued that Keyamo should have first obtained the leave of the court in seeking to compel an agency of the government to act.

Atiku Abubakar’s lawyer who was also in court, faulted the competence of the suit and accused Keyamo of engaging in abuse of office.

Benson Igbanoi asked the court to decline jurisdiction among other grounds, that no cause of action was disclosed by the plaintiff. O. C. Uju, Keyamo’s lawyer, asked the court to dismiss the objections raised by the defendants and proceed to hear the case on merit.

Justice James Omotosho who presided over the case, adjourned till June 5 for ruling on the preliminary objections.

Politics

Atiku mourns death of Prince Bola Ajibola

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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday mourned the demise of Bola Ajibola, former International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge of The Hague.

Mr Ajibola passed on in Abeokuta on Sunday at the age of 89 years.In a statement he issued in Abuja, Mr Abubakar described the former attorney general and the minister of justice of Nigeria (1985 – 1991) as a great man of impeccable virtue.

Mr Abubakar said he was “pained but happy because, being a Muslim, I am certain that Ajibola would himself, have elected to make his passing in the glorious month of Ramadan.’’

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the March 18 election added that Mr Ajibola would be remembered as a doyen of the law profession and a jurist of note.

“He did the country proud when he served at The International Court of Justice at The Hague, as well as during his years of service as Nigeria’s envoy to the United Kingdom,” he noted.

“What was spectacular about the late eminent jurist was how his values of forthrightness and candour, which, by the way, is emblematic of his Egba heritage, reflected in all other spheres of his earthly engagements.”

Mr Atiku added;

“As a diplomat, jurist and educationist, what was consistent about his character was his overwhelming presence of rectitude and forbearance in every of his endeavour. Those qualities of his personality are the secret codes to his achievements in life. I am sure that they are qualities that his family and friends will be proud of and immortalise in his memory.”

The former vice-president also stated that Mr Ajibola was always at peace with his creator and fellow humans, stressing that “the legacies of his lifetime should be a beacon that should call younger Nigerians to an exemplary life that he lived.’’

Mr Abubakar condoled with Mr Ajibola’s family and the people and government of Ogun. He stated that Nigeria and the entire world would mourn the deceased.Mr Ajibola, the founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta, was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1984 to 1985.

He was also one of five commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, established through the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

He was the high commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002.

Politics

I advised Tinubu, Atiku to step down for younger generation- Wole Soyinka

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Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has disclosed that he advised the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and his All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to step down for the younger generation.

Soyinka said this during an interview on Arise Television morning show on Wednesday, April 5. Soyinka said:

“When Atiku came to my office in Ikeja, he came with Gbenga Daniel, my former governor. I said to him listen is about the time you people left the stage. Why don’t you just go away? We need an infusion of fresh blood into the system.

“For some people, maybe they read it as blood-letting, no I said, an infusion of fresh blood. I said so I cannot support you. I think your generation should really quit. He was not the only one. I then sought out the current President-elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and I gave him exactly the same message.

“I said whatever you people are planning, I am convinced that when a younger generation, new thinking, new sensibility, new energies, so why don’t you just leave the seat.

“Let’s look for somebody who is a really brilliant individual and use your influence to catapult that person to power. And this country will see a massive transformation.

“We spoke for about one and a half hours, and then Bola Tinubu said no. He said there were still things he could contribute,” Soyinka added.

Politics

Supreme Court dismisses ex-minister’s suit against Tinubu, Atiku

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The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by a former junior education minister Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP as presidential candidates of their political parties.

The apex court threw out the suit on the grounds that it was statute-barred, having no life to support it and legs to stand upon.

Justice Inyang Okoro, who presided over a five-member panel of justices of the court, dismissed the appeal after the former minister withdrew his case when informed that the case was filed outside the time prescribed by law.

Mr Nwajiuba and a civil group, the Rights for All International, a non-governmental organisation, had asked the Supreme Court to cancel the processes that produced Messrs Tinubu and Abubakar as candidates of their political parties.

He had lost at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal on the same ground that his case lacked merit that could make the court look into it.

Politics

Atiku Abubakar asked that we deepen our engagement with LP – PDP Chieftain Osita Chidoka

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Osita Chidoka, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged his party members to deepen engagement with the Labour Party (LP).

Mr Chidoka, a former Aviation Minister, shared photos he took while meeting with the Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi after his meeting with Atiku on Wednesday, March 29.

He wrote in the caption:

“At 8 am today I met with Atiku Abubakar and he asked that we deepen our engagement with LP. “At 6pm I met with my brother Peter Obi at his campaign office where he has been since 8am and still plan to be till 10pm. “Interesting how the erstwhile candidates are out and about pursuing their goals towards a better Nigeria.”

Chidoka did not disclose the details of the engagement. Atiku came second in the February 25 elections while the presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi, who defected from the PDP, came third.

Both PDP and LP are challenging the outcome of the February 25 election at the Presidential Election Petition Court.

Politics

Court grants Atiku and Obi’s request to serve petitions on Tinubu, Shettima and Masari through APC

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A request by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for permission to serve their petitions on Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima and Kabir Masari though the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been granted by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

A three-member panel, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, granted the request on Friday, March 24, in three rulings on the three ex-parte motions filed by Atiku and PDP; Obi and LP; and APM.

Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) who represented Atiku and the PDP sought leave to serve Tinubu with the petition and other accompanying processes through the APC.

Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) who represented Peter Obi and the Labour Party sought leave to serve Tinubu and Shettima though the APC.

Oyetola Atoyebi (SAN) who represented APM sought leave to serve Tinubu, Shettima and Masari through the APC.

Lifestyle

Atiku tells Muslims to seek spiritual guidance, peace during Ramadan

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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on Muslims in Nigeria and the world to use the holy month of Ramadan to seek spiritual guidance and sacrifice to the cause of peace.

Mr Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential standard-bearer in the February 25 elections, said this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Abubakar, who welcomed the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and worldwide to Ramadan, said the basic tenets of the holy month were about sacrifice and devotion in worship to God.

“It Is quite clear that the essential principles of this holy month are what is needed to heal our wounds, both as individuals and as a country. First is the importance of sacrifice not just to our families and the people around us but to the cause of peace,” stated the ex-vice-president.

Mr Abubakar added;

“Secondly, is the requirement of piety from us all in the worship of God. I, therefore, enjoin all Muslims in Nigeria and the world over to use the benefits of this holy month of Ramadan to seek spiritual guidance, as I wish us a happy Ramadan fasting.”

Politics

INEC violated margin of lead principle to declare Tinubu president-elect, Atiku tells court

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Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the election petition tribunal to upturn the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Atiku is invoking the margin of lead principle to assert that INEC’s hasty announcement of President-elect Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential poll is unconstitutional and without due process.

Per the principle, when the margin of lead between the winner and the runner-up is less than the total number of voters affected by cancellations in their different polling units, the election is declared inconclusive and a re-run is organized.

“The Petitioners further contend that the votes ascribed to the 2nd Respondent by the 1st Respondent in the final declaration made is 8,794,726 while the votes credited to the Petitioners is 6,984,520 resulting in a margin of lead of 1,810,206 votes.

“The Petitioners state that the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected in the polling units where elections were cancelled and did not hold across the Country is over and above 1,810,206 which is the margin of lead between the 1st Petitioner and the 2nd Respondent, and in consequence, the return of the 2nd Respondent was hasty, premature and wrongful.”

The Petitioners hereby plead Form EC8B series, that is, the Ward Collated Results, and the records of the Permanent Voters Cards PVCS collected in the respective polling units where elections were not held or were cancelled,” court documents detailing Mr Atiku’s argument read.

Prominent lawyers have described the days ahead for the tribunal as interesting based on the petitions being filed by several discontented political parties.

It is unclear whether the public can expect an upturn of Mr Tinubu’s widely criticised win, however, the margin of lead argument poses a threat to his camp.

The principle was repeatedly invoked in the just-concluded gubernatorial election when elections for Kebbi and Adamawa states were declared inconclusive.

With publicly available facts, Mr Tinubu’s hope of running is four-year term will hang on the election tribunal’s interpretation of several sections of the constitution and electoral statutes.

Politics

Atiku, PDP withdraw suit against INEC asking for access to electoral documents

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have withdrawn an application they filed to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to allow their agents to participate in the process of sorting out ballot papers and electoral papers that were used for the presidential election that held on February 25.

PDP and Atiku are challenging the outcome of the election declared in favour of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

Lawyers of the PDP and Atiku on Wednesday, March 15, told the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, that they were no longer interested in the application.

When the motion ex-parte, marked: CA/PEC/10M/2023, was called up for hearing on Wednesday, Atiku, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, told the court that he filed a notice of discontinuance, according to reports by VANGUARD.

The move comes after a meeting Atiku’s legal team held with the leadership of the electoral body on Tuesday.

Atiku had in the withdrawn application, which he predicated on 11 grounds, maintained that it was necessary for agents of his party to be present during the sorting out of the electoral materials he would need to prepare a petition he intends to lodge against the outcome of the presidential election.

Atiku said there was need for his agents to observe/participate in the sorting of materials he requested in all the offices of INEC nationwide, in line with the ex-parte order the court made on March 3.

Following the withdrawal of the application, Justice Joseph Ikyegh-led three-member panel struck it out.

Politics

I’m happy to sacrifice my political career for Tinubu’s presidency- Seyi Makinde

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has said he was glad to sacrifice his political career for the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president-elect of the country.

Mr Makinde added that he was not bothered, even, if he had to sacrifice his career for the country to be restructured for fairness and equity.

“I am glad to be part of those who have made efforts to redraw the electoral map of Nigeria.

“If I have to choose between my political career and doing what is right, just and equitable, I will choose to forgo my political career,” he said on Sunday during an interview on a radio station in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Mr Makinde, who would be contesting for a second term in office this weekend, had supported Mr Tinubu for the presidency at the last minute.

Mr Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the February 25 poll after defeating his main challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

A member of the PDP, Mr Makinde worked against Mr Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, in the February 25 presidential election.

Mr Makinde was one of the G-5 governors which included; Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who failed to declare open support for Mr Abubakar.

Before the election, the aggrieved governors resolved not to work for Mr Abubakar’s presidential bid unless the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, was replaced by a southerner for geo-political balancing of power.

After weeks of actively plotting against Mr Abubakar through his alignment with Mr Wike and other members of the so-called G-5, Mr Makinde suddenly sent out a statement on the eve of the election that said voters should back members of the PDP, but without mentioning the party’s presidential flagbearer.

“So, if you still have any undecided voters on your list, this is the time to call them up and help them decide to vote for the PDP from top to bottom in Oyo State,” Mr Makinde said.

Party loyalists, however, dismissed his appeal as insincere, with many of them now saying they would work against his second term from within the party as a payback for his alleged betrayal that contributed to Mr Abubakar’s shortcomings at the February 25 presidential election.

Politics

This protest will continue for a very long time – Atiku Abubakar says during protest at INEC headquarters

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Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded February 25 elections, has said that the all black protest he and other members of the party embarked upon at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, would continue for a long time.

It was reported earlier that Atiku led PDP leaders as well his supporters , to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, in protest against the just concluded presidential election that saw the All progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu, declared winner of the presidential poll.

Addressing reporters at the scene of the protest, Atiku said;

“In fact this protest will continue for a very long time, either every day or any other day.”

Politics

I Am Not Aware Of Any APC Reconciliatory Move -Atiku

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, stated that he was unaware of any reconciliatory move by some All Progressives Congress governors.

He made this known on Thursday when a member of the audience asked if he had turned back some APC governors in the reconciliation committee who tried to see him.

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had stated that the APC had formed a reconciliation committee to meet with aggrieved candidates of political parties who ran in the presidential election last Saturday.

Atiku responded saying, “Well, I am really not aware of that. I was home all day today so I was not aware if any governor tried to see me,”

Credit: Punch and Channels Television

Politics

Atiku rejects presidential election results, calls Tinubu drug baron

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Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected Saturday’s presidential election results, saying the exercise was the “worst in the history of the country.”

Mr Abubakar, who addressed journalists in Abuja Thursday evening, revealed that the outcome of the election, which favoured Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would be challenged in court.

“I have come to the conclusion that the process of the election was grossly manipulated…it is the worst in the history of our country’s democracy and the results must be challenged in court,” Mr Abubakar declared.

Mr Abubakar’s address comes a few hours after Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), also rejected the weekend exercise.

Mr Obi specifically said that the election exercise was “marred with irregularities”, stressing that he won the presidential election and would provide the evidence for Nigerians to see.

“We won the election, and we will prove it to Nigerians,” Mr Obi told reporters during a world press conference held in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Wednesday, declared Mr Tinubu the winner of Saturday’s presidential election after he polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat Mr Abubakar.

Mr Abubakar scored 6,984,520 votes to come second, while Mr Obi came third after polling 6,101,533 votes.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, also subsequently issued Mr Tinubu a “Certificate of Return” the same day.

Politics

Atiku, Obi, remember peace pledge you signed- President Buhari

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PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES WINNER OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU

President Muhammadu Buhari heartily congratulates the winner of the (2023) Presidential Election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to the results just announced, President Buhari said;

“I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.

“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.

“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.

“After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election. Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken.”

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)

March 1, 2023

Politics

Obi, Atiku can go to court but they shouldn’t resort to violence- Tinubu

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Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, has asked his major contenders in the February 25 presidential election to seek legal redress in court if they are dissatisfied with his victory.

Mr Tinubu, the president-elect, said he was aware that it would be “hard put” for the candidates of the main opposition parties to accept the results.

“Still, I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence.

Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets,” Mr Tinubu said in his acceptance speech titled, ‘The Era of Renewed Hope’, delivered in the early hours of Thursday, shortly after being declared winner of the poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in the early hours of today declared Mr Tinubu winner of the election after polling 8,794,726 votes to beat his closest rival of Atiku Abubakar of PDP, who scored 6,948,520 votes.

Peter Obi of Labour Party came third polling 5,101,533 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP came fourth with 1,496, 687 votes.

Politics

INECresults: Atiku Abubakar wins Gombe state

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The PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has won the presidential election conducted in Gombe state.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Atiku secured a total of 319, 123 to defeat his closest rival and All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu who polled 146, 977 votes.

Labour Party’s Peter Obi secured 26, 160 votes while NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso polled 10, 520 votes.

Politics

Benue South endorses Atiku for president ahead of Saturday’s election

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The PDP in Benue South senatorial district has endorsed presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for Saturday’s presidential election.

This is contained in a statement by Paul Mumeh, media aide of former senate president David Mark on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement said the decision was taken after a meeting in Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma people.

It said the decision by the party was based on the premise that their interest would be better served under an Abubakar presidency.

It explained that the party members distanced themselves from those campaigning for candidates of other political parties.

According to the statement, they said they could not be members of the PDP and be seen to be working for candidates of other political parties.

“They urged all party members not to be distracted by the antics of a few but should go all out to vote for candidates of the PDP in the February 25 and March 11 elections.

In the statement, Mr Mark urged PDP members to be faithful to the party because jumping from one party to the other would make no sense, adding that political parties are vehicles for achieving one’s political ambition and must be held sacrosanct by obeying the rules and regulations.

According to Mr Mark, politicians who jump from one party to another are people without conviction or do not know what they want.

The senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, urged the party members to remain steadfast.

The senatorial district comprised the nine local government areas of the Idoma land.

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