Politics
Surulere: Group says Sangodara’s opponents are confused, only distracting INEC in court
The opponents of Member Representing Surulere II constituency Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara have been urged not to confuse themselves over a lawsuit filed against the lawmaker.
The coordinator of the Eko Progressive Young Professionals, EPYP, Prince Abiola Ayinde, who made this known on Friday also advised against distracting the Independent National Electoral Commission in court.
Speaking against the backdrop of a publication indicating the testimony of an INEC official in court, Ayinde said the opponents had veered off their initial claim of certificate forgery against the legislator.
The trial continued on Friday before Hon. Justice Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, as the All Progressives Congress and Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara were scheduled to open their defense.
The Counsel to APC and Hon Mosunmola Sangodara, Adebisi Oridate Esq informed the Court that they filed a Motion yesterday have and served electronically and physically on the other Counsels this morning.
Adebisi Oridate Esq however informed the Court that after a careful review of their case, they would be withdrawing the Motion as there was no need for it again.
The Counsel to 2nd & 3rd Defendants in turn responded that he owed the Court an ethical duty to inform the Court of the status of the Motion especially as Dr. Pinheiro had earlier alleged yesterday that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants were not filing any process but only trying to stall hearing of the matter.
The Court struck out the 2nd and 3rd Defendant’s Motion on Notice seeking to file additional Witness Statement on Oath.
Counsel to the 2nd & 3rd Defendants however informed the Court that they had carefully reviewed the case so far and considering the weight of the evidence given so far by the Plaintiff, they do not consider it necessary to call any witness and will be closing their case and asked for a date for adoption of final address.
Dr Pinheiro SAN thereafter commended the Counsel to the 2nd & 3rd Defendant. Referring to him as a brilliant lawyer, he claimed to have been impressed at the tactical manner he handled the defense.
Recall that the crux of the case of the Plaintiff is that the 2nd Defendant presented/deposed to false information in her Form EC9 and also that she submitted forged documents to INEC along with her Form EC9.
The Plaintiff by his own admission under the fire of cross-examination stated that the said Form EC9 he tendered before the court in evidence does not show where the 2nd Defendant deposed to any affidavit.
The Plaintiff further gave evidence that the said Form EC9 tendered by INEC also does not have the oath page to qualify the tendered Form EC9 as an affidavit.
INEC witness also stated in her evidence that the commission did not receive any certificate from the Party on behalf of Hon. Sangodara
Ayinde however wondered where Olasunkanmi got the certificate he alleged belonged to the 2nd Defendant.
He also asked where and when did he see that the 2nd Defendant attached and submitted certificates along with her Form EC9 to INEC.
Ayinde noted that Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara was screened by the party and given clearance to contest in the primary.
He added that Hon. Sangodara squarely and fairly won the primaries but the Plaintiff being a sore loser instituted this action to cause rancour within the rank of All Progressives Congress and embarrass the Party
Ayinde called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to unite the party and forge a common front ahead of the General Elections next year.
The matter was adjourned to 8th December 2022 for Adoption of final address.
The majority leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, on Friday raised alarm over alleged plans by some people to manipulate the result of the primary election that produced him as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adams reportedly won the primary election of the party to produce a candidate for the House of Assembly in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 on Wednesday after polling 7,638 against his opponent’s 1225 votes.
Speaking to thousands of APC supporters during a Victory March, Adams said accused a top monarch (name withheld) in Eti-Osa of being behind the plan to doctor the result in favour of Saheed Adesegun Bankole, who was defeated in the election.
“I want you all very much for the love and passion you have for me and APC. Today is what we call victory walk. We started from VGC with over 4000 APC members. Even inside the rain you stood your ground and you are here to protect your mandate.
“Thank you very much for voting for me. I won the election throughout our wards and the INEC officials, DSS and police personnel were there and even the agents of our opponent were there as well.
“Let me put it on record that his agents and the police signed that the election was free and fair and they took all the results to the local government collation centre.
“When they got there, they presented all the results to the DSS, INEC officials and also to the returning officer and he collected everything and announced that Adams was the winner of the election.
“We believe in this party. The only crime I have committed was during the impeachment of the Speaker; that I did not follow them and did not stand against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he alleged.
He said being a politician, he understood “loyalty and how to always be loyal. That is the only crime I committed and today, Iโm calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to caution the Oba.
“The Oba is the reason why we lost the presidential election in 2023 in the constituency and he is the reason why we lost the House of Representatives seat. He lost in his own kingdom and the results are there at the INEC for all to see.
“Iโm calling on the Inspector General of Police that if anything happens to me, he should hold the Oba responsible. And in 2027, if we lose the presidential election in the local government, the President should hold him responsible. We have assured the President that we are going to vote for him and he will win.”
He urged his loyalists and supporters to remain calm as he trusts the party enough to resolve the issue.
President of the Lekki Residents and Stakeholders Association, Sulyman Bello, also thanked the supporters for having faith in Adams.
“On behalf of all of all the estates from 1004 and across the entire Lekki peninsula, we thank all the APC members for standing by our friend, brother, father Hon. Noheem Adams.
“If all the estates in Eti -Osa Osa, call on him at the same time, he will respond. We also thank God that he got over 7,000 votes and his opponent a little above 1,000 votes. The winning margin is above 90%.
“We thank all those of you that voted and also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. We extend our gratitude to the APC leaders in Lagos state. If it is not Noheem, it is not Noheem,” he said.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election
Governor Dauda Lawal Ph.d has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Zamfara State, following a consensus arrangement adopted by the party for its primaries.The governor secured the ticket after party members and supporters gathered across various wards to endorse him as the APCโs flagbearer for the forthcoming election. The consensus model, which allowed party stakeholders to unite behind a single candidate, was embraced as a strategy to avoid a contentious primary and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Zamfara, pledging to consolidate ongoing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.โI am deeply honored by the trust and support of our party faithful,โ Lawal said. โWe will not relent in our efforts to deliver meaningful development, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens of Zamfara State.โHis emergence underscores the partyโs push to build continuity and strong leadership in the northwest region.Political analysts note that the adoption of consensus candidate signals the APCโs preference for unity and reduced internal friction as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Lagos lawmaker, Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the party’s candidacy in Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1 ahead of the 2027 general election.Adewale, a current member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, scored 19,111 to defeat his closest rival, Obawole Quadri lawal, who polled 295 votes.Three other aspirants in the election that was monitored by the state electoral officers, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, Afolabi Ajiboye, Akinyemi Temitope, and Adewale Lateef, scored 165, 73 and 33 votes respectively.The primary election was conducted peacefully on Wednesday across seven political wards in the constituency.A youth leader and participant in the exercise, Demola Olajide, said the peaceful exercise was the result of the maturity of the aspirants and the members’ respect for party supremacy.In a ‘thank you’ message to his constituents on Thursday, Adewale described his victory at the primary election as democracy in action.He noted that the beauty of the exercise was that he had despite having other aspirants, the election was peaceful.”What makes this moment special wasnโt just the win. It was the voices that were heard, the choices people made freely, and the peaceful process that let a community decide its own path forward.”Thatโs the heart of democracy: every vote counts, every opinion matters, and power flows from the people up.”May this new chapter bring the progress and unity we have promised to fight for. The real work starts now and our leaders are watching with hope.”Let’s be further determined to increase our support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other candidates of the party in the 2027 election,” he urged.
Fidelity Bank to Drive SME Growth with Quarterly Business Forum
Rescue Mission @ 3: How Governor Dauda Lawal Dragged Zamfara Back from the Abyss
EID EL-ADHA 2026: Governor Dauda Lawal Urges Increased Prayers for Peace, Hails Return of Displaced Communities
Regberegbe 1986, 87 and 88 Appoints Deputy Speaker As Adviser Okunrin
