Adult Toy Shop Assault: Senator Ishaku Abbo Tenders Apology

Having gotten more than he bagained for as a result of his uncut behaviour at an adult toy shop in Abuja recently, the senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial district, Senator Ishaku Abbo, has apologised.

Senator Ishaku Abbo has been trending in the news for some days now over a viral video on the internet, where he was caught physically assaultibg a lady at an Abuja adult toy shop, hence his apologies to Nigerians, his party, PDP and women generally.

In a press conference at the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, the highly sobered senator asked for forgiveness from Nigerian and the people of his constituency, Adamawa North, and also promised to be of good conduct henceforth. Saying that he has learnt a great lesson from the whole issue.

"It is with a deep sense of remorse and responsibility that I, Senator Ishaku Abbo (SIA) profoundly apologize to all Nigerians, the Senate,bthe People's Democratic Party (PDP), my family, friends as well as our mothera-the Nigerian women.

"I personally apologize to Vibrate and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity.

"I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

"To the Church of God everywhere in the world, I am sorry. As an Ambassador of Christ, much is expected of me. My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action.

"Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a publy officer, particularly as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is bestowed.

"Finally, I assure Nigerians, especially the people of AdamW North of my good conduct at all times," he said.

Akwa Ibom North West Tribunal: Contradictions as Ekpenyong Presents More Witnesses

Several dramas played out Wednesday as the first respondent, Chris Ekpenyong, presents more witnesses in the petition challenging his declaration as the winner of the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district.

Senator Goodswil Akpabio and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are challenging Ekpenyong's declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as  winner of  the February 23 national assembly election.

Ekpenyong was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election.

The first witness, Elizerbeth Gabriel Usen, a staff of INEC, led by Ekpenyong's lead counsel, Uche Njoku, said she was a supervisor at units 11 and 13 Afaha Ward 2 in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

She stated that APC armed thugs hijacked election materials on the day of votig but  said she did not state it in her report, which she said led to the cancellation of the units' results.

Under examination by Njoku, she said that APC thugs swapped PVCs card which brought along with them to perpetuate election irregularities.

She narrated before the tribunal that APC thugs stormed the units, hijacked election materials and swapped PVCs for the card readers and thumb printed ballot papers to carry to carry out rigging.

When the petitioners' counsel, Sunday Ameh, asked under cross examination, whether she stated this in her report to her superior , she said she did not.

Asked if card readers record number of those accredited, she said she does not know because she does not work with ICT department of INEC.

When shown  INEC document that authenticated voting in the units with 316 accredited voters in unit 11 and 239 in unit 13, and asked if there was sign of voting she said she does not know. Also, INEC's document tendered before the court in defence of the petition, which showed results of the alleged cancelled units, was showed to her, though Mrs Gabriel Usen admitted it to be from her employer  but she said she did not know how it came about​.

When also shown result sheets from the units, she confessed that they were from INEC but did not know how they came about because there not election in the units.

She claimed there were no policemen at the polling units neither did she see any security officers who escorted the election materials to the units.

She said she did  not report the invasion of the units by armed thugs to the police but to her superiors INEC following instructions.

The second witness, Richard Benjamin, a PDP agent in unit 5, ward 10 in Ini Loca! Local​ Government Area, told the tribunal that armed thugs destroyed election  materials in his unit and so there was no election. 

In his deposition before the court, he did not mention it that armed thugs invaded the polling unit.

He said there were policemen in his unit when armed thugs came to the place but did not report the matter to the police, only to party officials. 

He contradicted the first respondent who had said everything went well in the unit in his response to petitioners' petition.

The third witness for the day, Ekpe Okon Akpan, also a PDP agent from unit 3, ward 10 Ini Local Government Area, contradicted himself when he was shown INEC document which showed the column for accreditation was ticked for his unit. 

He had earlier told INEC'S counsel, Ifeoluwa Ojediran that there was no accreditation, voting or election in his unit.

The tribunal adjourned till Thursday.