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  • 63rd Independence: Building strong institutions will strengthen our democracy, says Omo-Agege

    63rd Independence: Building strong institutions will strengthen our democracy, says Omo-Agege

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has called on Nigerians to work assiduously for the strengthening of institutions of governance to make democracy more responsive to the yearnings of the people.

    In an Independence goodwill message to Nigerians, Senator Omo-Agege who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State said all levels of government – federal, states and local governments – should be involved in the task so that all institutions in our democratic dispensation fulfill their constitutional tasks and responsibilities.

    Mr. Sunny Areh, Media Adviser to the former Deputy Senate President, in a press release quoted him as saying that with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man who he said believes in constitutional democracy as President, Nigerians should join hands with him to build strong institutions.

    “I believe Nigeria is lucky at this time to have President Bola Tinubu leading the charge. He has a sterling record in strengthening the institutions of government, of upholding the various arms’ independence and of making democracy work for the people from his time as governor. In the challenging times we are in, the best recipe for restoring Nigeria is to ensure that all institutions stand firmly as envisaged in the constitution. This should be the case in states and local government areas, not just the federal government”, he said.

    Omo-Agege stated that there is no alternative route to securing and strengthening democratic rule than through strong institutions, especially at state and local government levels.
    As the country tinkers with the imperative of devolving more powers to states, he said the three arms outside the federal level must correspondingly be strengthened and their independence upheld vigorously.

    “When institutions at the levels of government closer to the people are strong, then actual power will devolve to the people and our democracy will be the better for it”, Omo-Agege said.

    After over 24 years of unbroken democratic rule and 63 years of Independence, he said “Nigeria is ripe enough to be counted not just as a bastion of democratic rule but a defender of democracy”.

    He congratulated President Tinubu, the National Assembly and Nigerians generally, noting the prevailing economic challenges are global and only a concerted approach and collaboration with other democratic governments elsewhere will hasten the country’s return to sustainable development.

    He wished Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

  • Delta guber verdict: Omo-Agege appeals for calm

    Delta guber verdict: Omo-Agege appeals for calm

    …says we’ll continue to pursue our cause and case
    …this judgement was not expected

    Gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the last election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called on his supporters to remain calm as the cause of their case is being pursued.

    This was contained in a statement he personally signed on Friday.

    Today, the 29th of September, 2023, the Governorship Election Tribunal held in Asaba, Delta State gave judgement in our petition challenging the return of 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 unassailable evidence in support of ALL the polling unit results and every other relevant electoral document duly tendered before it using our present electoral jurisprudence and benchmarks already set by the Supreme Court as its compass, today’s outcome would have been clearly in our favour.

    “As chief proponents of a clean electoral system, we disagree that ballots obtained in manifest breach of the Electoral Act and our Constitution are lawful and valid votes in the 2023 Delta State Governorship Election. Further, we also do not believe that the law permits the Tribunal to do nothing having found as a matter of fact and consistent with the petition that votes were arbitrarily inflated in favour of our opponents.

    “Also, we do not believe that today’s judgment is in consonance with the letters and spirit of the new Act which, for the first time in our electoral history and jurisprudence, now unequivocally mandates a Tribunal to reject and cancel an election conducted at a polling unit if the serial numbers and other identities of the electoral materials used are not formally recorded into the INEC prescribed forms. We know that where this particular infraction is manifest on documentary evidence before the tribunal, the Act clearly says such must be thoroughly considered by a Tribunal and the result cancelled, as same is unlawful. This, regrettably, is not the case with the instant decision.

    “So, let us be clear. For the matters mentioned herein and much more, we say with calm confidence and conviction that today’s judgment is nothing but a grave injustice that will not stand appellate scrutiny.

    “But we must thank their Lordships for all they did as humans given the very toxic and intimidating environment in which they operated in the last six months. We wish them well.

    In view of the foregoing, I have instructed my erudite legal team to immediately appeal the judgement of the Tribunal. We are grateful for their steady industry and extraordinary commitment.

    “I call on our people to remain calm and law-abiding. We came into this race to rescue our beloved Delta State knowing that it will not be a smooth sail. So, keep hope alive. With God, we shall get to our destination under His abiding grace.

  • Delta tribunal verdict: Respect people’s choice, Funkekeme tells politicians

    Delta tribunal verdict: Respect people’s choice, Funkekeme tells politicians

    The Senior Policy Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, has applauded the Delta State Governorship Tribunal which today upheld the March 18, 2023 election of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Solomon who was the director general of the State PDP campaign organization and masterminded the emergence of Oborevwori, said the clear victory of Hon Oborevwori who won 21 of the 25 local government areas in the state has rendered any attempt by politicians to upturn the result seem like an attempt to use the courts to carry out a coup.

    Solomon said the litigation arising from the Delta State gubernatorial election was a mere academic exercise.

    “Governor Oborevwori won fair and square. It is only fitting and logical that the Tribunal has affirmed it. Anyone that seeks to rule the people must learn to respect the people’s choice at any time. The court is not an instrument for attempting to subvert the will of the people. I commend the judges for their decision. They have, by the judgment, reinforced our people’s confidence in the electoral process and in the judiciary as an unbiased arbiter”, Solomon, a one-time Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, said.

    He called on Olorogun Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election to discontinue any further litigation and let Deltans engage with the reality of Oborevwori’s administration.

    Solomon assured that despite the challenges by opposition parties to his victory, Oborevwori has remained focused on governance and has already hit the ground running with remarkable infrastructural projects and will deliver more to the state.

  • Delta Tribunal: Omo-Agege vows to challenge outcome of Oborevwori’s victory

    Delta Tribunal: Omo-Agege vows to challenge outcome of Oborevwori’s victory

    The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has vowed to challenge the outcome of the verdict affirming Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as the authentic winner of last March guber election in Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the former DSP has directed his legal team to immediately proceed with an appeal against today’s judgment of the governorship election tribunal that confirmed Oborevwori as the authentic winner.

    Senator Omo-Agege said the Tribunal failed to reckon with the fundamental flaws in the March 18, 2023 governorship election that mortally rendered the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner untenable.

    He said: “It is a no brainer that the Tribunal operated under a very challenging environment. It therefore ignored the unassailable evidence adduced to question the validity of lawful votes as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). I respect the decision of the Tribunal, but it is flawed. I have no doubt that these flaws which the Tribunal failed to address will be dispassionately evaluated at the Court of Appeal.

    ” I have, therefore, directed my legal team to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal and continue with the fight to restore the sanctity of the people’s vote”, Senator Omo-Agege stated.

  • BREAKING: Delta gov, Oborevwori wins as tribunal strikes out Omo-Agege petition

    BREAKING: Delta gov, Oborevwori wins as tribunal strikes out Omo-Agege petition

    …Tribunal declares evidence is based on hearsay

    …says addendum request is unknown to law

    …you can’t bring it through the backdoor

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba has declared Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori the authentic winner of March 18 guber polls in Delta state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports all the kernels of the verdict pointed to the fact that evidence provided by the major opposition party, APC were mere hearsay without concrete foundation.

    READ DETAILS BELOW:

    RESOLUTION OF ISSUES:

    Issues for determination adopted from arguments. The petitioners arguments dealt with overvoting as a sub specie of corrupt practices and not corrupt practices.

    Do not agree that the petition is incompetent on ground 1. It is premature to object when case has not been argued. In sum, no merit is found in the 2nd respondents objections and so dismissed.

    Another application by 3rd respondents to strike out some grounds of the petition. Standard of proof for criminal allegations must be beyond reasonable doubt. It is contradiction to ask for election to be voided and at the same time asked to be declared winner. Recount of votes request struck out.

    On the 3rd respondents objection.

    Grounds of objection dismissed.

    Disharmony of scores and ballot papers form the kernel of the averments of the petitioner. Application dismissed.

    The petition:

    Witnesses’ presentations reviewed

    Written addresses brought up. Inundated with fresh applications after written addresses.

    The petitioner’s application sought to bring in fresh evidence through the back door. After considerations, addendum request is unknown to law. It cannot be granted and the request is denied, having been brought so very late and could prejudice the respondents. Application dismissed.

    2nd respondents challenge to the final written address of the applicant for non compliance with guidelines and practice directions. The structure of the petitioner’s address violates the practice direction argues the 2nd respondents.

    “Tribunal has no tools to measure compliance. In the absence of clear evidence, the application is dismissed.

    Merits of the case:

    On DOP’s evidence as an appointee of the respondent, the petitioner’s failure to apply for the removal of witness from the court denies the petitioner the right to call him a dented witness. The witness never admitted presence in the courtroom when PW1 gave evidence. He is not a personal staff of the governor. He is not disqualified and his evidence is not impeached.

    On over voting, petitioner tendered many documents. To prove over voting, BVAS report must be produced. Leave was granted petitioner to inspect BVAS but no BVAS report is provided. Also no direct evidence was called. Scrutiny of evidence was done. BVAS was the prescribed mode for accreditation of voters. The petitioner pleaded BVAS but failed to even provide an extract from it. The petitioner even pleaded that BVAS was the mandatory tool for accreditation. They agreed to this and alluded to the supremacy and Majesty of technology for accreditation. Tribunal wonders why they have failed to produce BVAS.

    Tribunal agrees with respondents argument. By supreme Court judgement, BVAS is mandatory to prove over voting.

    BVAS not produced but they tried to use other documents. Petitioner cannot circumvent the BVAS.

    Report of examination of back end server cannot replace the BVAS. This report is held to be irrelevant.

    Flowing from above, the report is inadmissible to prove over voting.

    Voters registered was not pleaded for a specific reason.

    No credible primea facie case has been made to warrant a call on the respondents to defend.

    Alleged non compliance because of recordings in all polling units. All exhibits in this direction make no sense. Scrutiny of documents by PW1 again amount to hearsay. No comments on accuracy of document was made by applicant. Evidence of PW1 worthless. He couldn’t even mention the name of one presiding officer in any.

    Case of petitioner based essentially on hearsay evidence that is legally inadmissible.

    They have led no credible and indubitable evidence.

    Accordingly, there was even no need for the respondents to lead any evidence to disprove a collapsed case.

    The case is devoid of merit and affirm the declaration of INEC and return the respondents as duly elected.

  • Oluremi Tinubu is a First Lady made for Nigeria’s present challenges, says Omo-Agege

    Oluremi Tinubu is a First Lady made for Nigeria’s present challenges, says Omo-Agege

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has described the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a woman that came equipped for the challenges of the office.

    In a message on the 63rd anniversary of her birthday, Omo-Agege said her stature, political acumen and management capacity can only be compared to those one-time American First Lady, Mrs. Hilary Clinton who was a pillar of support for her husband, President Bill Clinton.

    “From her sterling political consciousness and active role while President Tinubu was Lagos governor to becoming a federal lawmaker in Nigeria’s apex legislative chamber, the Senate, our First Lady garnered invaluable experience that Nigeria sorely needs as the President squares up to the task of returning the country to the path of sustainable growth,” Omo-Agege who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State said.

    In a statement issued by Mr. Sunny Areh, his Media Adviser, Omo-Agege stated that like other great First Ladies in other climes, Mrs. Tinubu’s calm mien, experience and vision will come in handy in building a great Nigeria.

    “Our country is lucky to have Senator Oluremi Tinubu as First Lady at this crucial time of our political and economic trajectory. She represents strength, visionary leadership, greatness and fight for democracy,” attributes, he stated are needed in the onerous task of rebuilding the country.

    He wished her excellent health and more wisdom from God in the days ahead.

    Signed:

    Sunny Areh
    Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

  • NDDC narrative must change for better – Omo-Agege

    NDDC narrative must change for better – Omo-Agege

    Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, says the narrative of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) must change for the better in line with the current realities.

    Omo-Agege said this when he received Mr Chiedu Ebie and Chief Monday Igbuya, who were recently appointed on the NDDC board.

    This is contained in a statement his Media Adviser, Sunny Areh on Saturday in Asaba.

    He charged the NDDC to execute visible projects that would add value to the lives of the people.

    “President Bola Tinubu wants you to execute visible projects that will add value to the lives of the people of the Niger Delta.

    ”The narrative and perception of the NDDC must change to that of an agency that truly meets the need of the Niger Delta region,” he said.

    Omo-Agege said that the NDDC had had a chequered history dominated more by tales of failed and uncompleted projects as well as the general perception that it had been unable to optimally meet the expectations of the Niger Delta people.

    ”Now, that story and perception must change and I am confident it will change for the better with the two of you there,” he said.

    Omo-Agege, also the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta, lauded Tinubu for reconstituting the NDDC board.

    ”Tinubu has hunted for the men that can change the trajectory of the agency.

    “Tinubu wants a change in the performance and perception of the NDDC,” he said.

    He said the President’s choice of Mr Chiedu Ebie and Chief Monday Igbuya, as Delta’s representatives on the NDDC board was well deserved.

    He said Ebie’s nomination as Chairman of the NDDC board was apt.

    “Your track records as a commissioner and Secretary to the State Government speak for themselves.

    “Please bring your digital brain to change the way projects are initiated and executed and work as a team to achieve results.

    ”You are deserving of this because you are an innovative gentleman and you worked. I can confirm that you worked during the last election,” Omo-Agege said.

  • How Omo-Agege’s petition against Oborevwori collapsed at Election tribunal

    How Omo-Agege’s petition against Oborevwori collapsed at Election tribunal

    By Pius Mordi

    For a candidate who won only four of 25 local government areas in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it was always going to be a long futile shot to upturn the election’s outcome. Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), clinched 21 out of the 25 Local Government Areas of the state with 360,234 votes leaving Omo-Agege a distant second with 240,229 garnered from four local government Areas.

    Like any other long shot, the former Deputy Senate President’s counsels were initially at a loss where to anchor their suit. First, they sought refuge on technical grounds relating to pre-election issues. Soon it dawned on his legal team that ahead of that approach lies an impregnable brick wall. Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended and affirmed by judgement of the Supreme Court says that disputes arising from the information contained in the nomination form of a candidate contesting any election shall be resolved before the election is conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. In other words, it is a pre-election matter which cannot continue to be heard once the election has been held.

    In an ill-articulated bid to question the integrity of the election result, Omo-Agege’s counsel resorted to the allegation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in accrediting voters. Expectedly, the allegation could not be proved.

    On Thursday, August 24, 2023 when all the parties adopted their final written addresses before the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal, it was clear to Omo-Agege’s legal team that they were on a wild goose chase. With the door to utilising technicalities firmly shut, they knew their case had collapsed. At Thursday’s adoption of final written addresses, the legal team of the first respondent, INEC, denounced the petitioner’s allegation that BVAS was not deployed to accredit voters and dubbed the entire submission of the petitioner an abuse of court processes, lacking in merit and that the plaintiff could not prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

    In a fitting finale to the hearings, Omo-Agege’s team were subdued in their final presentation. Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), Robert Emukperuo (SAN) and Murtala Abdulrasheed (SAN) for the petitioner drew the Tribunal’s attention to pending applications. They are:

    * The petitioner’s Motion on Notice for leave to exceed the 40-page limit by filing an addendum to the petitioner’s Final Written Address; and

    * Governor Oborevwori (second respondent’s) Motion on Notice challenging the competence of the Petitioners’ Final Written Address.

    The Tribunal directed that the pending applications be taken before adoption of Final Written Addresses.

    Professor J. E. O Abugu (SAN) who led the team for the first respondent also subsequently adopted the following processes:

    * Second Respondent’s Final Written Address filed August 11, 2023; and

    * Second Respondent’s Reply on Point of Law filed August 23, 2023 in urging the Tribunal to dismiss the Petition.

    Counsel to Oborevwori and third respondents, Delta State PDP, thereafter adopted their respective counter-affidavits and written addresses in support filed on August 23, 2023. They

    subsequently moved the Motion on Notice challenging the competence of the Petitioners’ Final Written Address filed on August 22, 2023. The Petitioners thereafter adopted their Counter-Affidavit and Written Address in opposition filed on August 22, 2023.

    Rulings on the respective Motions on Notice were reserved to Final Judgment.

    In addition to endorsing the position of Oborevwori’s counsel, E. Ohwovoriole (SAN), Ayo Asala (SAN) and O. M. Atoyebi (SAN) who led the team for the Delta PDP as the third respondent also adopted the following processes:

    * Third Respondent’s Final Written Address filed on August 11, 2023; and

    * Third Respondent’s Reply on Points of Law filed August 23, 2023.

    On the strength of the evidence or lack of it presented to the tribunal on the razor-thin allegation of failure to use the BVAS in accrediting voters, followers of the proceedings are in no doubt that Omo-Agege’s quest is doomed. Having won just four of the 25 local government areas in Delta State and tailed Oborevwori with unassailable votes of over 120,000, even the most optimist and loyalist of the former Deputy Senate President left the venue of the hearings dispirited. Governor Oborevwori’s victory and mandate is on course to legal affirmation.

  • Ganduje, Basiru are the final piece in jigsaw puzzle, says Omo-Agege

    Ganduje, Basiru are the final piece in jigsaw puzzle, says Omo-Agege

    Ganduje, Basiru are the final piece in jigsaw puzzle, says Omo-Agege

    Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said the newly elected national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru who also emerged national secretary are to key to the success of the bold reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the buy-in of the National Assembly.

    Being a democratic dispensation, Omo-Agege who is also the governorship candidate of the APC in Delta State, said Ganduje and Basiru have the task of ensuring that federal lawmakers and indeed all party faithful endorse and support President Tinubu in his bid to chart a fresh course for the economy.

    “Just as Nigerians rightly put their faith in President Tinubu to right the ship of state, the emergence of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru as national chairman and secretary respectively of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle on a productive and progressive team Nigeria needs to return to the path of growth”, the former Deputy Senate President said in congratulating the two new national officers.

    “Dr. Ganduje’s broad national outlook and dispassionate perception of issues made him have the remarkable record of being the first and only governor to win a second term in Kano State. He is an achiever.

    “As for Senator Basiru, I worked closely with him in the 9th session of the National Assembly where he was the Senate spokesman. He is very diligent and straightforward.

    “With both of them running the APC, the path to a stable polity is now assured. When the party is in trusted hands and there is a robust and cordial relationship between the legislature and the executive branch, the reform agenda of President Tinubu will be successful”, Omo-Agege said in his congratulatory message signed by Sunny Areh, his media adviser.

    Dr. Ganduje, a two-term former governor of Kano, on Thursday emerged national chairman of APC alongside Sen. Basiru who was elected the new national secretary. Basiru was the spokesman of the Senate in the 9th session of the National Assembly.
    They were officially ratified to replace the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, at the National Executive Council meeting attended by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

    *Sunny Areh*
    Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Nigerians must have faith in Tinubu’s economic agenda – Omo-Agege

    Nigerians must have faith in Tinubu’s economic agenda – Omo-Agege

    Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege has tasked Nigerians to have faith President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda as the depth of the country’s downturn required painful but temporary tough measures.

    This is contained in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Sunny Areh on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Omo-Agege commended Tinubu for the special attention to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the economic recovery package unveiled on Monday during his nationwide address.

    He said that SMEs were the bastion of economic growth in developing countries.

    He said that SMEs provided the most employment and enable the younger generation to acquire skills for productive engagement.

    Omo-Agege, also the 2023 Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that the address by Tinubu had unveiled his strategy to revive the economy.

    “It is gladdening that most of the package focussed on energising the real sector, especially micro and small businesses.

    ”With over N275 billion earmarked to support the manufacturing sector and MSMEs where over 1,300 business organisations are targeted, I am confident the economy is primed to return to the path of growth,” he said.

    Omo-Agege called on Nigerians to put faith in President Tinubu’s economic agenda as the depth of the country’s down turn required painful but temporary tough measures.

    “In the long run, Nigerians will have cause to smile as the major policy road blocks to growth have been overcome.

    ”Removing oil subsidy and the fraudulent multiple foreign exchange policy have removed the country from the path of perdition and collapse.

    ”This administration knows the enormity of the challenges confronting the country and it’s recovery plan is the sure path that will restore Nigeria back to the path of growth,” Omo-Agege said.