Politics
Ododo opens defence, tenders documents against SDP, Ajaka’s petition at Guber tribunal

Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, on Wednesday, tendered several documents in seven disputed local government areas to open his defence against the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka.
Ododo, through his lawyer, Paul Daudu, tendered the documents at the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on November 11, 2023, conducted the Kogi governorship poll.
However, the SDP and its governorship candidate in the poll are challenging the declaration of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.
In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.
INEC had on Tuesday closed its defence in the petition by SDP and Ajaka, after its counsel, Uchenna Njoku, tendered several documents to support the victory of the governor.
Njoku had told the three-member panel, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo, that electoral umpire would not be calling any witnesses after assessing the case of the petitioners.
Justice Birnin-Kudo, who declared the commission’s case closed, adjourned until today for Ododo to open his defence.
Upon resumed hearing, Ibrahim Mohammed, SAN, who led Ododo’s team of lawyers, told the panel that Daudu would be conducting the proceedings.
Daudu informed the tribunal of the 2nd respondent’s readiness to open his defence.
The lawyer said he would commence this with the tendering of the certified true copies (CTCs) of the documents which had also been served on the petitioners.
“It is only fair for them (petitioners) to peruse these documents to enable us take off,” Daudu said.
He, therefore, sought a stand down of the hearing for about 30 minutes to allow the petitioners (SDP and Ajaka) peruse the documents.
Pius Akubo, SAN, who appeared for the petitioners, did not oppose the application.
Justice Birnin-Kudo subsequently stood down the matter.
However, while the inspection of the documents was ongoing, the tribunal, through its secretary, announced the adjournment of the matter until Thursday for continuation.
Politics
Kano Assembly passes bill to establish state security outfit

The Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish a state-owned security outfit, granting it the authority to bear arms, prevent crimes, and make arrests across the state.
The passage of the bill followed extensive deliberations, particularly on a controversial clause that prohibits members of political parties from heading the security agency.
Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Husaini Dala, emphasized that the legislative body conducted a thorough review of the bill to ensure it serves the best interests of all sectors in the state.
He further explained that the law mandates that the leadership of the security outfit be entrusted to a non-partisan indigene of the state.
According to Dala, the new law aims to enhance security operations in Kano, with security personnel empowered to “bear arms, make arrests, prevent crimes, and apprehend offenders.
Politics
Edo Govt suspends Attorney-General, LG Commission chairman

Edo State Government has suspended its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.
The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Musa Ikhilor, made this announcement in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning.
Ikhilor said the two state top officials were suspended over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.
The SSG stated that the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor, Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.
“The suspension is with immediate effect. Consequently, the governor has ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to investigate the allegations levelled against them and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.
“The suspension of Osagie and Lawani became necessary to enable the Government carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them.
“The suspension is pending the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.
Politics
PDP BoT endorses Ude-Okoye as national secretary

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, on Wednesday affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.
The decision of the Board was made public by the BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara at the ongoing 80th session in Abuja.
Wabara said the BoT affirmed Ude-Okoye after the trustees thoroughly reviewed documents provided by both aggrieved parties.
Ude-Okoye was PDP’s former National Youth Leader before he was adopted by the party’s South-East Caucus to replace Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
Recall that on January 31, PDP governors, led by Bala Mohammed of Bauchi endorsed the Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed Ude-Okoye as National Secretary and urged the National Working Committee, NWC, to implement it.
The PDP Governors Forum also distanced its members from Anyanwu and confirmed Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State
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