David Mark’s daughter warns politicians against frivolous petitions as opponent withdraw suit from election petition Tribunal

• says its time to focus proactive legislative duties

Honourable Blessings Onuh, has enjoined politicians to resist the culture of filing frivolous petitions that could distract public office holders from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The Lawmaker representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, gave the charge at a world press conference in Abuja, where she pointed that elections were over and is time for political stakeholders to begin to work together irrespective of political leanings.

Onuh, while acknowledging that elections petitions was an essential part of our democratic process, however warned that culture of filing frivolous petitions against political opponents was a distraction.

The Federal Lawmaker was reacting to the recent withdrawal of the suit instituted by Hon Alex Enokela Ogbe, against her victory in the February 25th National Assembly election.

Recall that Hon. Ogbe had on Friday, May 19th 2023, announced his decision to withdraw the case instituted against Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh, the APC and INEC in the 2023 election petition tribunal.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in a statement personally signed himself, stated that the difficult decision was for the general interest of Otukpo Ohimini people.

Ogbe, while congratulating Lady Blessing Onuh, vow to offer his support and assistance to her where needed for the betterment of the people.

“We are using this medium to make known our intention to withdraw the case instituted against Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh of the APC, the APC and INEC in the 2023 election petition tribunal.

“We have taken this difficult decision for the general interest of Otukpo Ohimini people who we seek to serve.

“We will offer support and assistance to the house of representatives member elect Otukpo Ohimini where needed for the betterment of the people of Otukpo Ohimini.

“We pray God gives her the strength to meet the desires of the people of Otukpo Ohimini for which she represent,” he stated.

Onuh while applauding Mr. Ogbe’s decision to withdraw his petition, described his action as political maturity which speaks volume about the unity in Benue South.

The lawmaker who however, maintained that she won the February 2023 election conducted in a free and fair contest, enjoined him to work together with her and all Idoma progressives in the progress, unity and development of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency.

In her words, “I acknowledge the withdrawal of the suit instituted against my victory by Mr Ogbe. However, I must state categorically that I won the February 2023 election conducted in a free and fair contest.

“I view the decision of Mr Ogbe as an act of political maturity which speaks volume about the unity in Benue South. I urge politicians to avoid frivolous petitions which is a distraction.

“I feel honoured by the humble demonstration of his sportsmanship and enjoin him to work together with me and all Idoma progressives in the progress, unity and development of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency.

“Elections have come and gone, I want to emphasize that I represent the entire constituency irrespective of political leanings,” she stated.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Barrister Yunusa Hudu Ari, has assured that rescheduled supplementary governorship and state constituencies elections in the State would be free, fair and credible.

The REC gave the assurance on Wednesday in Yola during a stakeholders meeting ahead of the Saturday, April 14, 2023 supplementary polls.

He said the supplementary elections would hold in 69 polling units (PU) with a total number of 42,785 registered voters while PVCs collected in those PUs are 32,935 across 20 LGAs in the State.

“For the state constituency elections, you are aware, four state constituencies were involved, Girei, Gombi, Numan and Toungo,” he stated.

In Girei, seven PUs are involved with a total number of 5,413 registered voters as well as 5,035 PVCs collection.

…warn against name-dropping by some APC members 

By Tom Garba, Yola

A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Hassan Mamman Barguma said the inconclusive election declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in the aftermath of the 18th March Governorship and Housing of Assembly election in Adamawa is not a new thing and the Party is never jittery.

According to him, Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is a product of an inconclusive Election that has been coming out clean and neat because it is something done within the purview of the law.

Hassan a former Majority Leader in the Adamawa House of Assembly said the electoral act has laid down clear rules on how an election can be conducted, can be made inconclusive and a rerun be scheduled to follow suit.

He worried that an inconclusive election is not the first time in Adamawa and asked why is it that desperate people are weaponizing the whole exercise.

According to him their desperation going around peddling the impossible agenda of declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani as the winner is a war drumming statement that deserves a gunshot warning of “it can never be possible”.

He advised that Binani foot soldiers should go back to their drawing board by campaigning to the people of 69 polling units if they can give her a wholesome 37,000 votes to beat Fintiri not to be charade on baseless issues.

The immediate past Member who represented Hong constituency in the state Assembly said the PDP has started talking, consulting, and campaigning massively to the people of the 69 units where a rerun was said is going to be carried out by INEC.

Hassan in an interview with this medium said the inconclusive declared by the INEC official is a matter of law and order and must be strictly followed according to the provision of the law for peace to reign.

He recalled how Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan respect the Law as an incumbent President abdicated his seat for a new government to come in.

He said peaceful handover to Fintiri on the same rerun election pattern as an incumbent Governor because he knew the power of Law and order.

“I’m advising Binani to concede for defeat and accept it in good fate because the rerun will never favor her but rather make us pass through undue pains and hardship over her desperation,” Barguma said

Hassan was also warned against name-dropping by some of Binani’s cronies and frowned at the high level of her desperation to become the next Governor of Adamawa.

“Binani’s cronies should not be intimidated by the people of Adamawa State. Dropping names and name-calling so many prominent people is not good for the polity.

“We want peace in Adamawa and politics should not be do-or-die affairs. Because of her interest, there is no reason that hell should let loose and the state is plunder into political crisis over one person’s desire of becoming a Governor.” He said

He alleged that Binani has been meeting and talking with the INEC officials to help her that in a way portrays her as a bad politician and that is not the way to do politics.

He however praised her for giving a good fight and must be commended to have wielded the power to alter and think with the whole process.

Hassan said the effort she made is a good one as an opposition candidate and a woman for that matter