I'll Be Surprised if INEC Has Results of Cancelled Polling Units in Ekpenyong Ward- Witness

Amba Anso Amba, the second witness for Chris Ekpenyong, in the battle for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district, Tuesday, told the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo,  that he wil be surprised to hear the polling units he testified to have been cancelled during his evidence, have result sheets as tendered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in court.

Amba, who said he is a staff of the electoral umpire,  and was involved in the distribution of election materials for the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections in Ekpenyong's ward, Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state, had told the tribunal that there was no proper election in 15 polling units of the ward because election materials and INEC officials, including himself, were kidnapped while distributing the materials and made to thumb the ballot papers at gun point.

He had also told the court that the columns for accreditation were ticked because accreditation did not take place.

He was led in evidence by counsel to the first respondent in the petition (Ekpenyong), Uche Njoku.

But when counsel to the petitioners, Sunday Ameh, showed him the result sheets as provided to the petitioners by INEC, the witness said he would be surprised if INEC provided the true certified copies of the result from the polling units he said were cancelled because of irregularities.

"I will be surprised that results of the polling units I said ballot papers were thumb printed, were collated and announced at both ward and local government level."

When reminded that from INEC's document, tendered in court as exhibit, only one polling unit was cancelled, he  said "I will be surprised that only one unit was cancelled."

Amba earlier told the tribunal that based on his report of abduction, thumb printing of ballot and forced  declaration of the result, 15 polling units were cancelled.

When asked if the smart card readers after capturing a voters for accreditation, do not indicate the number of voters accredited, he said he did not know because he does not worth in ICT department.

When shown a copy of his report, that the receiver did not write date of receiving it, he said under re-examination by  Njoku, that it was an internal memo, which could be dated or otherwise when received.

He said he did not report the kidnap to the police because he was instructed by his superiors that every report should go to the office.

Valencia College Unveils Multi-Million Naira Hostel In Ibadan

One of the best private schools in the city of Ibadan, Valencia College recently unveiled its multi-million naira hostel facilities, in a big event which was witnessed by notable personalities in education sector in the country.

The school which has its name ‘Valencia’ from a Spanish words means ‘strength’ started about eight years ago with focus is to be a force to be reckoned with in Oyo State education sector and beyond.

While speaking at the event that took place within the compound of the newly built boarding facilities that situated around General Gas road, Akobo, Ibadan, the Chairman and founder of the school, Engr. Goodness Morakinyo said motives behind the hostel is not just to house the students, but to provide conducive environment for academic learning.

He also appreciated all the staffs and teacher who have shown commitment in imparting knowledge, doing their job with core competence and passion as “they are building tomorrow’s nation asset”.

The school proprietor however, thanked parents and guardians who have been cooperating with the school management towards the completion of the hostel facilities that can accommodate over 200 students with air conditioning facilities in each room.

The Valencia boss while commissioning the newly built hostel boasted to the parents that, “there’s no controversy that Valencia College now ranked among the best in the Oyo State of today and by God’s power, the school will continue to be the best and most desirable in Nigeria at large".

Morakinyo described the hostel as home-away-from-home, while further stressing that all the facilities of the hostel are of topnotch qualities, "there’s a special room for the teachers who are going to be living with the students in the hostel en-suite with conveniences and kitchenette, also spacious hall that will serve a purpose of prep and for merry and dining", he noted.

"We are aware of the evil people in the country and to that extend, we have to make a provision for very tight security and also requested for Mobile Policemen stationed within the school premises to be patrolling 24/7 for the safety of our students", he enthused.

Some parents who spoken with the media at the event gave goodte stimonies about the school, as a parent, Mrs. Funbi Akinmejuwa who has three of her children (Precious, Diamond and Iremide) said she never regretted withdrawing her wards into the school owning to a great improvement noticed within short times.

"My children have improved in so many ways than before and am seeing the impact of this school in their lives, academically, socially and morally", she noted.

Oyo Coalition: Makinde's Group Reacts To Lanlehin's Withdrawal News

Oyo coalition: Setting the records straight.

We received with shock, claims credited to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Femi Lanlehin, that he has withdrawn his support for the coalition birthed by a number of political parties ahead of the March 9, 2019 election in Oyo State.

It is more shocking to read Senator Lanlehin's allegation that his decision was hinged on Governor Seyi Makinde's infidelity to the coalition agreement.

That allegation, to say the least, is a clear affront on the sincerity of Governor Makinde and his magnanimous disposition in handling all the discussions about the coalition.

Let us also state without equivocation that the claim by the Senator is untrue, unjustifiable and inconsistent with the reality of it all. 

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy and Political Matters, Honourable Babatunde Oduyoye, on Tuesday, maintained that the governor could not be accused of non-compliance by any party, because he had lived up to his promise to all parties to the coalition and in some cases “even bending backwards to accommodate all interests.”

He said that the Governor has lived up to his promise not only to Senator Lanlehin but also to all members of the coalition, saying that the committee reached an agreement, which was signed by all the parties and tabled before the Governor.

He said that the agreement contained a template for the sharing of positions in government as well as membership of boards and parastatals, noting that procedures have been set in motion for the actualization of the template.

According to Oduyoye, the apex committee of the coalition parties had met over three times, with agreements reached and tabled at a meeting with the Governor, adding that the Governor even improved on the agreement to further accommodate interests in the ADC and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The statement further read: “There was no dissenting voice from all the representatives of the parties at the meeting with Governor Makinde. Everyone commended how he handled the matter. Senator Lanlehin only had issues with the other leaders of the ADC on Monday when they were discussing how to share the positions allotted to the ADC.

"He should not in any way attempt to drag the name of Governor Makinde to the frustrations he is encountering in his party. 

“If Senator Lanlehin withdraws from the coalition, he must have done so as an individual, because we are aware that the ADC as a party remains an integral part of the coalition as leaders of the party have repeatedly pledged their fidelity to the coalition. 

 "We believe that the coalition was not put together merely to further any personal aspiration other than the collective interests of the people of Oyo State." 

BREAKING: Lanlehin Withdraws From Coalition Over ‘Non-compliance’ By Makinde

Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Solan), Oyo State Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) hereby announces forthwith, his personal withdrawal from the coalition he has with Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State governor.

Recall that Senator Lanlehin, former Oyo State gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) joined forces with other opposition parties’ governorship candidates to back Makinde, and the gubernatorial victory was thereupon resounding.

Lanlehin, who hinged his decision to quit the coalition on what he termed Governor Makinde’s non compliance with the spirit and letters of the terms of the  gubernatorial pre-election agreement reached, however maintains that his party, the ADC is at liberty to remain in the coalition, and believes it should, in fact, remain.

Lanlehin, going forward, states that while he remains a committed member of the ADC, he would adopt a “siddon look” posture in the governance of Oyo State and allied matters.

2.9 Billion Money Laundering: Court Grants Fayose's Application To Travel Abroad

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose's application to secure his freedom to enable his travel abroad has been granted by the court.

Fayose, who was re-arraigned before Justice Chukwukekwu Aneke of a Lagos Federal High Court on Tuesday, is facing a 2.9b naira money laundering charges initiated against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court granted his application for permission to travel abroad for treatment as he said he was sick.

His international passport was therefore ordered to be released immediately by the court.

This development was as a result of re-assignment of the case to Justice Aneke after the prosecution expressed loss of confidence in Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, who was previously handling it.