Anxiety In Abuja Over Fresh Presidential Poll; PDP Jittery As Tribunal Nullifies Assembly Poll In Anambra January 20, 2008 | posted by Mobolaji Aluko (Archives)

 

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GUARDIAN

Sunday, January 20, 2008              

Anxiety In Abuja Over Fresh Presidential Poll
From Martins Oloja Abuja Bureau Chief

Although the Presidential Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja has not concluded its work, it was not clear at the weekend why there has been some inscrutable anxiety over the possible outcome of the petition of some opposition parties.

Meanwhile, a member of the Kitchen Cabinet of the President Minister of Agric and Water Resources, Dr Abba Ruma, fell critically ill and was flown to Germany penultimate Friday.

It was one of the best kept secret in Abuja last week. But we confirmed that the president was himself present when the former Minister of Education was flown abroad for medical attention.

The Presidential Election Tribunal is expected to resume on Monday, 28 January and the two main parties seeking cancellation of the polls had reportedly been directed to prepare written addresses which the Tribunal would adopt.

Although no date has been given for the verdict of the James Ogebe-led Tribunal, the political class, especially the ruling party's chieftains, have not been at ease in Abuja.

But anxiety turned to fear last week in Abuja when intelligence filtered in again that there will definitely be fresh presidential election.

It was not clear how the report came about, but it was the town talk within the political circles in Abuja.

But the colour of what might be began to crystallise last week when we were told that some former heads of state had been involved in a series of meetings to prepare for a possible new poll, even as the tribunal has not given its verdict.

When the issue gained ground in December, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, was alleged to have contacted some old allies, even in the opposition camp, for support in case the president refuses to appeal any negative judgment.

No one knew how that rumour came about, but the SGF did not react to the story.

It is, however, understood that the forces driving the new deal are the same brains behind the confusion within the ruling party's secretariat.

The Yar'Adua government is said to be already aware of the activities of members of the group expecting the worst at the tribunal.

Some of the opponents of the government are said to be 'concerned' that the barely eight months old government of Yar'Adua "lacks direction, vision and vigour to move the country's forward in this century".

It was said that the government is not dismissing the claims, and might have contemplated a major cabinet reshuffle.

The President is said to have deferred the idea until after the verdict of the election tribunal, which is expected to come before the beginning of March.

The nature of Ruma's illness was not immediately known, but it was said that the Minister, who had earlier cancelled about N8 billion worth of contracts signed by the previous administration, suffered a bout of what was called "depression".

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INDEPENDENT

PDP Jittery As Tribunal Nullifies Assembly Poll In Anambra
 
Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:00:00
 
Apprehension can best describe the mood within the ranks of the Anambra State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the nullification of the House of Assembly election for Onitsha South II Constituency by the Second Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Ibrahim Bako, on Saturday nullified the election based on petitions filed by Bona Orakwe of the Action Congress (AC) and Nduka Alor of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) challenging the declaration of Obiora Chukwuka as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Bako ruled that INEC could not convince the tribunal that elections were conducted on the assigned date, saying that electoral materials came late while result sheets were not available for the exercise.

The tribunal further noted that in most wards in the constituency voting did not take place, pointing out that results could not have been produced out of nothing.

It, therefore, nullified the results of the election.

It is against this backdrop that most members of the PDP are now expressing fears that other petitions relating to House of Assembly election may also go the same way.

But party chairman, Tony Nwoye, disagreed with the fears, contending that the matter is not over yet, since the respondent has gone to the Appeal Court.

Nwoye said the nullification of the election does not mean that AC and APGA candidates are popular enough to win the fresh elections if conducted.
Meanwhile AC in Anambra State has begun preparation for a fresh election with great expectations.

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CHAMPION
Sunday, January 20, 2008


Tribunal removes 2 lawmakers

Benue State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday nullified the election of Rep. Terngu Tsergba, the former Speaker Protempore of the House of Representatives.

Also, Anambra State Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday nullified the election of Mr. Obiora Chukwuka (PDP), member representing Onitsha South II Constituency in the state House of Assembly.

Delivering judgement in Makurdi, a member of the tribunal, Justice Olusegun Odusola, stated that Tsergba’s election failed to comply with the country’s electoral laws.

"It was proven beyond reasonable doubt that the election in Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency did not comply with the provisions of the 2006 Electoral Act," he said.

The AC Candidate, Mr Ager Vershima, had filed a petition against the victory of Tsergba in the April 21 National Assembly election before the tribunal.

The petitioner asked the tribunal to annul the election in the constituency, alleging that no election was held in some parts of the constituency on that date.

Vershima alleged that INEC officials deployed to the constituency to conduct the election rigged the election in favour of Tsegba, the PDP candidate.

Justice Odusola noted that the exhibits tendered at the tribunal proved that no election was held in Tarka, while voting in Gboko was haphazardly conducted.

"The evidence from the voter’s register indicated that the voters whose names were ticked once outnumbered those whose names were ticked twice, showing that people did not vote," he said.

Odusola also affirmed that the evidences of the defence witnesses could not be relied upon because
they were contradicted during cross-examination.

"By the power vested on this panel, I hereby upturn the election of the Terngu Tsergba in Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency and INEC is given 60 days within which to conduct a fresh election," he said.

However, in a swift reaction, the defence counsel, Mr A. Novishan, said that his client would appeal against the verdict, saying that the tribunal based its judgement on mere technicalities.

He, therefore, ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in the constituency.

Earlier, the tribunal dismissed another petition filed by an AC candidate, Mr Bona Orakwe, against
Chukwura’s election for failing to prove his case.

Commenting on the judgment, Chukwuka said: ‘’The judges had decided what they feel is right but
we will appeal against the judgment. Honestly, l am not disturbed.’’

Also reacting to the judgment, Orakwe said that his respect for the nation’s judiciary had never diminished, even though he lost the case.

"I lost the case because the tribunal, in its judgment, misquoted my witness from the Justice Development and Peace Commission.

"It quoted my witness as saying, in his evidence, that he voted for a candidate of his choice when that
was not what he said," he said.

However, Alor jubilated over his victory, saying: "l feel so great. l was believing God for victory and
I was also looking forward for justice."

In his reaction, the state Action Congress (AC) Chairman, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu, said that the tribunal had confirmed that there was no election in the state on April 14.

He said that the AC candidate lost the case on technical grounds, saying: "If PDP appeals against the judgment, there will be a cross appeal from us. "We are confident that the tribunal
will nullify all the elections in Anambra and call for fresh, free and fair elections,’’ Nwobu said.

APGA’s state Chairman, Chief Mike Kwento, also lauded the tribunal’s verdict, describing it as a "landmark judgment".

However, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Tony Nwoye, said that the party would appeal against the judgment and opined that the verdict would be overturned.

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