Headline

PEPT: Another Judgment of Confusion

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The 12-hour long judgment, contained in 800-page document, and delivered by the five man panel of Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) on Wednesday, left majority of Nigerians more confused than before. Debates and discourses have become the other of the day ever since the legal luminaries made their pronouncements.

The judgement is simply summarised in less than a few words, that ‘the petitioners failed to prove’ anything aginst the first, second, third and fourth respondents. The Judges added that they wasted the time of the court with frivolous petitions they could not prove, thereby dismissing the suit for lacking merit. This has left a sour taste in the mouth of Nigerians, and again bringing to question the slogan that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

On August 1, 2023, the trio of the Allied Peoples Movement, the Labour Party and its candidate, Peter Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, closed their cases in the Appeal Court, leaving the judges to reserve judgement till a later date.

However, on September 3, 2023, the public was alerted of the judgement for September 6, after widespread rumors of dates unconfirmed.

The D-day was more of the jamboree; Nigerians throng the court while some stayed glued to their TV sets to follow proceedings. Then, there was the first confusion; voices of judges were heard, but their faces were not seen. The laborious reading of the 800-page document reduced the courtroom to a sleeping palour; lawyers, journalists, Party officials and court staffers all slept off on camera, proving the boring nature of the event and the unexpected turnaround of the Constitution in the quest to give judgement to all the petitioners.

One respondent said that It appeared we were only hearing the words of Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN) in that judgement. It also appears the judges simply copied the final addresses of the respondents, copied all their objections and pasted them as judgement for the rest us to waste almost half the day listening. This has become an issue of more confusion as all the documents released by the tribunal bear the watermark of the tinubu legal team.

In his reaction, veteran journalists, chief Dele Momodu lamented that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was brazenly and deliberately turned upside down, just as Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome described it as ‘judocracy against Nigerians’.

In the same vein, prominent Nigerians, including the presidential candidates of the PDP and Labour Party, has expressed their displeasure as regards the judgment, which not a few has condemned, owing to its ‘blatant disregard of the constitution’.

In his message disowning the judgment, the PDP candidate said during a press conference in Abuja:

“I am here today to give my official reaction to the judgment delivered yesterday by the Presidential Election Petition Court on the 2023 presidential election.

“As you already know, I approached the court following the declaration by INEC that the APC and its candidate are the winners of the February 25, Presidential Election.

“My decision to go to court is anchored in my belief that the court is the sanctuary of justice. The journey of my political career, as you know, holds so much to the courage and fearless decisions of our judiciary.

Indeed, I am no stranger to legal battles, and I can say that I have a fair idea of how the court system works. All through my career as a politician, I have been a fighter, and I must say that I have found the judiciary as a worthy pillar to rest on in the pursuit of justice.

The last presidential election in our country and the way it was managed by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, leaves behind unenviable precedents, which I believe the courts have a duty to redress. Our gains in ensuring transparent elections through the deployment of technology was heavily compromised by INEC in the way it managed the last presidential election, and I am afraid that the judgement of the court as rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal yesterday, failed to restore confidence in our dreams of free and fair elections devoid of human manipulations.

Like I did say at the beginning of this legal battle when I instructed my lawyers to file my petition challenging the outcome of the presidential election, my ultimate goal in this pursuit is to ensure that democracy is further strengthened through the principles and processes of fair hearing.

Gentlemen of the press, I take great pains to tell you that the decision of the court of first instance on this matter utterly falls far short of that expectation. I am therefore here to tell you that, though the judgment of the court yesterday is respected, it is a judgment that I refuse to accept. I refuse to accept the judgment because I believe that it is bereft of substantial justice. However, the disappointment in the verdict of the court can never destroy my confidence in the judiciary.

Consequently, I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which, in the instance, is the Supreme Court. It is my conviction that the electoral process in Nigeria should be devoid of untidy manipulations and that the outcome of every election should be a perfect reflection of the wishes of the electorate. I believe that such is the only way through which our democracy can have a manifest expression of its true meaning. Whether I prevail in this quest or not, the record of my effort in ensuring an order of credible elections in Nigeria shall remain for the future generations to evaluate.

On this note, I urge all my supporters to remain steadfast. I urge them to take solace in an immortal lesson I learned from my leader and mentor, the late Shehu Yar’Adua, that losing a battle is less important than losing the war. We might have lost a battle yesterday, but the war is well ahead of us. And I believe that with our hopes in God, we shall win the war of restoring confidence in our electoral system.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the Press, I thank you for your attention.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN also lent his voice in the piece below:

PETC Verdict on 2023 Presidential Election: Time for Sober Reflection

The verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court was not totally unexpected, given the stark realities facing us as a nation and the state of the law.

The principles of presumption of regularity of elections and that of substantial conformity make it extremely difficult to prosecute elections successfully.

In this particular case, the burden placed upon the petitioners in order to upturn the election was practically insurmountable. To make matters worse, INEC practically fought the petitioners to a standstill, as if it was an interested party in the whole process.

I honestly don’t think anyone expected a different verdict from what was delivered in Abuja today. The tension was completely unnecessary.

This is why we emphasize always that the focus of anyone hoping to birth a true change in our electoral history should be on the electoral umpire. Without first unbundling INEC to make it more independent, non-partisan and effective, anyone declared “winner” will most often coast to victory in the election tribunal.

Today’s verdict should be a reason for sober reflection by all, especially for the parties in court, their lawyers and all lovers of democracy. The petitions could have been decided purely on points of law and within few days of the election.

There can be no real victory in the resolution of the legal issues by the court when the fabric of our democratic engagements seem to have been hijacked and compromised. Part of the lesson in this process is for us to go back and review the electoral process and the litigations following it. INEC as it is presently constituted cannot birth any credible election in Nigeria.

In all, may be there was too much expectation that the status quo will be upturned, whereas many of the principles of law canvased had long been settled by the apex court.

While encouraging all parties to continue in towing the paths already defined by law for the ventilation of grievances, we owe Nigeria an urgent duty to dismantle INEC, urgently.

In her reaction, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, took to her X handle to express as follows:

“The *#PEPTJudgement* is rightly being contested by the petitioners who have headed to the final arbiter, the Supreme Court.

“As arduous as the Constitutional Process is in our Democracy, my admiration is for all Citizens who have refused to “simply move on”.

“Democracy belongs to Citizens, not politicians and regulators, no matter how entrenched they may be.

“So *#AllEyesOnTheJudiciary* is still a thing, until the entire Constitutional Process is exhausted.

“Liberating society and people from an entrenched and perverse political culture is never a dash.
Stand on.”

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also instructed his lawyers to immediately challenge the ruling of the five-member Presidential Election Petitions Court led by Justice Simon Haruna Tsamani.

Obi disclosed this at a press conference in the commercial town of Onitsha, Anambra state on Thursday in reaction to the PEPC ruling, where he copiously acknowledged the Court’s contributions to due process and the seeming attempt to strengthen our democracy.

Find below the full text of the Press Conference…..

Yesterday, 6 September 2023, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) finally delivered its long-awaited judgments on the Petitions challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on 25 February 2023. This judgment was delivered within the statutory time frame under the extant statutes. We acknowledge the Court’s contributions to due process and the seeming attempt to strengthen our democracy.

2. As petitioners in this case, we respect the views and rulings of the Court, but we disagree with the Court’s reasoning and conclusions in the judgment it delivered. It is my intention as a presidential candidate and the intention of the Labour Party to challenge this judgment by way of appeal immediately, as allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

3. The PEPC has rendered its judgment, but that esteemed body is not the final arbiter. The responsibility now falls on the Supreme Court. I do know that judgment is not coterminous with justice. I implore Nigerians to remain focused, steadfast, and peaceful; abide by the rule of law, and understand that this matter has not reached its logical conclusion.

4. Our legal team has already received our firm instruction to file an appeal against the decision. I shall not relent in the quest for justice, not necessarily for myself but indeed for our teeming supporters all over the country whose mandate to us at the polls was regrettably truncated by INEC.

5. The strength and value of our democracy reside in solid national institutions and our confidence in them. Electoral litigations will be almost unnecessary and nonexistent if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discharges its statutory functions creditably, transparently, and with discernible fairness. When that body fails, as it did recently, thus subverting the will of Nigerian voters, the recourse to the judiciary becomes imperative, as is now the case.

6. I thank every Nigerian who has supported our cause and campaign for a New Nigeria characterized by fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development. A New Nigeria is possible and achievable. I especially thank our legal team, the Labour Party and Obidient Family, and all those who showed up daily during the court trials. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Again, an X user, writing under the heading, IT IS NOT YET UHURU, LET THEM NOT REJOICE OVER THEIR PYERRHIC VICTORY AT THE APPELLATE COURT, lamented the outcome of the court case, saying it is not over yet, using the example of former Ethiopia leader, Emperor Haile Selassie, as a study.

He argued that by the judgment, it has become illegal to be law abiding, adding that desperate situations call for desperate actions.

He wrote: “Our heads are bloody but yet unbowed. Though the judges might have entered into an unholy alliance, to uphold the the corrupt system but time will tell and history will vindicate the just. During the naked invasion of Abyssinia now Ethiopia by Italy, the matter was taken to the League of Nations for adjudication. The League of Nations prevaricated in deciding who was right, instead of what was right. Emperor Haile Selassie 11 of Abyssinia, spoke to them, in this prophetic language. ‘God, history and posterity will remember you, for this judgement.’ Then came the WW 11 and it’s cataclysms. Was Italy able to maintain its hold over Abyssinia? Where is the League on Nations today? Where is Benito Mussolini today? He has been confined to the scrap heap of forgotten tyrants. He has been swept into the waste paper basket of history. Thus, the beat goes on !

If we cannot affect a change from the top, let’s prepare for a revolution from below. In a lawless society, it is illegal to be law abiding. Desperate situation calls for desperate action. It is now or never. When a slave realizes that he is a slave, he has taken the first step towards freedom. Thus, when slaves unite, Egypt of slavery will crumble. That we may die in the struggle, to take back our beloved country and foster a New Nigeria, should not deter us from fighting for a cause, we believe to be just. We know the truth and it shall set up free from this subjugation orchestrated by the Cabals, under Fulani hegemony. We can’t give up now. We have come to the tactical stage of Nigeria’s geo – politics, where Euclid, must be proved wrong and two political cum religious parallel lines will meet, to rid this nation of political vermin and economic vampires, to pave way for our political emancipation, economic regeneration and social rejuvenation. It shall come to pass on that day, as we accomplish this task and the man who actually won the election is sworn in. We all will join our hands together and sing the old negro spiritual. Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we all are free at last, from dictatorship, feudalism, neo -colonialism and imperialism. Glory be to our God.

We will never give up this fight, losing a battle is not losing a war. When the son of a new Africa is faced with the travails and tribulations of Gethsemane, Golgotha and Calvary, there is no need for his spirit to weaken. We are living spirits of an idea, the idea of a new Nigeria. We are also living spirits of an ideal, the ideal of man’s humanity to man, not the present dog eat dog in Nigeria. We will fight and dismantle this corrupt system , with the indomitable spirit of the Rangers, the vengeance of the Afghanistan’s untold meanness and with all the bitterness of a rejected suitor. God is always on the side of the oppressed. Proverbs 22 v 22 – 23 refer. We will never, never, never give up, else our future is sacrifice on the stinking altar of the immediate. This is a call for the urgency of now! Aluta Continua.

JUDGMENT NOT JUSTICE

A Concerned citien, Jacob David -Famoroti, joined PDP, Atiku Abubakar, to describe the outcome as judgment, not justice. he wrote;

“Even though, the PETC pronouncement between APC, INEC VS LP, and PDP as made on the 6th of September 2023 was not surprising to many due to the known “Nigerian Factor syndrome,” the judgment remains an utter shock to many and may not be recovered from for a long time.

“However, the long and short of it all can just be summarised as a charade that needs no further worry.

“Suffice it to say there is no further cause for worry or complaint from any side. The judgment has only affirmed that really, the only way to win an election in Nigeria is: “to hijack it, snatch it, and run with it”.

“Perhaps, others who are disfavoured by the pronouncement can only be advised to go and prepare for the next general election but, not forget the lesson and messages of çaution in the whole drama, instead of going to the Supreme Court that is only waiting to re-echo the same thing that the tribunal read out as judgment yesterday.

“Moreover, the hope of having a credible election and a reliable judiciary in this country has just been dashed and lost.

“Therefore, no one should be sorry about the fact that this is another clear failure of an electoral law – an addition to numerous Nigerian Laws fine in theory fooling in application.”

“No cause for worry, the judgement is just an affirmation that really, the only way to win an election in Nigeria is : “to hijack it, snatch it and run with it”. Perhaps, others who are disfavoured by the pronouncement can only be advised to rather go and prepare for the next general election but not forgetting this message of caution, instead of going to the Supreme Court that is only waiting to re-echo the same thing that the tribunal read out as judgement yesterday.”

The five Justices are Justice Haruna Tsammani, 64, Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, 66, Justice Bolaji-Yusuf, 64, Justice Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo, 58, and Justice Mohammed Abba Bello, 62.

The entire nation awaits the decision of the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in the coming days.

Headline

Charles Osuji: Canada Celebrates a Legal Wizard

Published

4 days ago

September 30, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

From a very humble beginning in Imo State, South East Nigeria, Charles Osuji has not only found the golden fleece, but had nature give him a soft landing on posterity; the evidence of his prolific hard work.

Here’s the story of a man, who transcended boundaries and borders, challenges and huddles as well as barriers to take the legal profession by storm, hitting the highest echelon with panache in far away Calgary, Alberta in Canada. He graduated top of his class with honours from Imo State University in 2009, and called to the Nigerian bar from where he migrated to Canada. He was absorbed into the then Smith Law Office, where he had a successful articling before being admitted into the Alberta Bar in 2014. He became a partner in 2016, and moved to sole ownership in 2017.

Today, Canada celebrates a man of vision, impact, focus, determination and commitment to growth, just as Nigeria walks tall with pride at a total package of dignity, influence, affluence and candor exportable to the global world. His name is Dr. Charles Osuji, the Chief Executive Officer of one of Canada’s most thriving law firm, Osuji & Smith Lawyers. Osuji proved from day one to be a man, who knows what he wants, and it is no accident that he has achieved so much, and yet not rested on any oars. He sits comfortably as the owner of the largest black-owned law firm in Canada.

Osuji’s larger than life achievements have been encapsulated in what most authorities have said and written about him.

In a speech during the welcoming of The Boss Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu, in Calgary the week before, Barrister Juliet Omonigho, has this to say about Dr. Osuji

“Sir, let me tell you a bit about Dr. Charles Osuji; like Chief Dr. Momodu, he embarked on a journey fueled by vision and determination. Charles arrived in Canada and quickly rose through the ranks with sheer hard work, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In just a few short years, five years to be exact, he went from a young Nigerian boy in his twenties who, though graduated at the top of his class, seemed to have no prospects when he arrived in Canada, working three menial jobs to make ends meet, to finally getting an articling position after over 200 rejections! He bought the firm just three years after Articling and, in just five short years as managing partner, led it to become the largest black-owned law firm in Canada! His story is one of resilience, innovation, courage and the kind of tenacity that transforms dreams into reality.

“Osuji & Smith Lawyers, under Charles’ leadership, mirrors the journey of Ovation International. Both entities began with a vision, faced numerous challenges, achieved feats that had never been achieved before… and ultimately became symbols of success and excellence in their respective fields. Just as Chief Dr. Dele Momodu has become a beacon of pride for Africa in the global media landscape, Dr. Charles Osuji and his firm have become shining examples of what can be achieved by a young immigrant lawyer with no connections in Canada but through hard work and a commitment to uplifting others rise to national recognition in this country.

“Through the Foot in the Door Initiative, FIDI, an organization founded to empower internally trained lawyers Charles, our firm’s reach is international, giving incredible opportunities to internationally trained lawyers around the world to gain legal experience so they do not have to spend years writing hundreds of applications as he did before getting a foot in the door into a legal profession.

“As a director of the program, we get contacted by lawyers from around the world about the opportunity to be part of the initiative, and we say yes, which gives them the confidence to move to Canada to pursue their legal careers. The impact of the FIDI innovation is truly global.

“Our firm is so successful because Charles has assembled an incredible team of legal minds producing first-class work and the most dedicated and brilliant administrative staff. And collectively, we are all determined and dedicated to giving back. We are a full-service law firm with a diverse staff that speaks over 31 languages; by the way, Chief Momodu, we know you are a linguist who speaks several languages. Our ages range from twenties to seventies, and we serve a diverse Canada.

“As a result of Charles’ leadership, Nigeria is uplifting others regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Over 200 FIDI students from different races have passed through our doors. Osuji & Smith has won landmark cases that established precedents, especially in employment law.

“Our firm has won over 105 awards across Canada, and Charles was recognized as one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers at age 35.

“Chief Dr. Momodu, you have led the way, setting an incredible example for a person like Dr. Charles Osuji—to rise to remarkable heights while keeping your focus on a larger mission: showcasing excellence, rewriting narratives, and creating opportunities for others. Your story continues to impact us even in the diaspora. It reminds us that with vision, determination, and the courage to stand for something greater than ourselves, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

For a gentleman, who moved to Canada in 2011, it is quite impressive how he has climbed the ladders of success, and settled at the very height of greatness.

OF CHARLES OSUJI AND OSUJI & SMITH LAWYERS

By the age of 30, Charles Osuji, an internationally trained lawyer from Nigeria, bought a 37-year-old firm wherein he had served as an articling student not long before. Today, Osuji & Smith is a thriving small-sized firm that offers multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives to its client base. The firm’s diverse staff includes lawyers who are educated or trained abroad, as well as individuals who can speak English, Igbo, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Professionals at Osuji & Smith can bring their diverse legal, financial and lived experiences to the table, which is what sets the firm apart from others.

Charles Osuji acts as a role model for young professionals and as a mentor to the associate lawyers, articling students and legal assistants at the firm. For these reasons, Three Best Rated has consistently named Osuji & Smith, beginning in 2017, as one of the top-rated employment and business firms in Calgary.

Also on the endless list of those, who have one or two things to say about Osuji is the site LEXPERT Business of Law, who wrote in 2021 as follows:

In 2011, Charles Osuji uprooted himself — and his developing legal career — to move to Calgary from Nigeria. An internationally trained lawyer, he came to Canada knowing he’d have to become re-accredited and develop a new network of personal and professional colleagues — but Osuji wasn’t daunted by these challenges. He joined what is now Osuji & Smith Lawyers in 2013 as an articling student, was called to the Alberta Bar in 2014, became partner at the firm in 2016 and then, at the age of 31, made another bold move: he became sole owner of the firm. At an age when most lawyers are still preoccupied with learning their craft, Osuji stands at the helm of a thriving and fast rising small-sized law firm as managing partner and CEO.

Osuji was recently named one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers; was recognized in both Canada and Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 Award categoryies; won the Immigrant of Distinction — Achievement Under 35 Award from Immigrant Services Calgary; was recently recognized, and voted by his fellow lawyers across Canada, in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2022, for his outstanding professional excellence in private practice; and was a nominee for the Canadian Bar Association’s 2020 Douglas Miller Rising Star Award.

Osuji & Smith covers a number of areas of law including personal injury, immigration, civil litigation, business, wills and estate, real estate, family, and employment and labour. Clients, which represent a cross-section of Alberta businesses and individuals, benefit from the firm’s multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives, and Osuji’s willingness to provide these different perspectives sets his firm apart in the Calgary market. He strives to bring an entrepreneurial, multi-cultural and holistic approach to the practice of law.

Osuji is dedicated to providing mentoring and leadership for his staff and is also “a volunteer extraordinaire.” He plays piano at his church, provides pro bono work such as with E-Fry and legal clinics and is a mentor for other newcomer professionals through the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Counsel, where he participates in workshops and panel conversations as well as serves on the Board of Directors and as Secretary.

Despite his fast and furious rise in the Canadian legal community, Osuji remains humble, genuine and kind. His unique combination of high intellect, tireless work ethic and business acumen fuels this rising star, but Osuji remains grounded by his role as a model citizen for all young professionals.

A multi-award-winning lawyer across divides, Charles Osuji remains undaunted, churning out firsts after first.

Headline

Edo Decides: The Battle of Godfathers

Published

2 weeks ago

September 21, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The countdown to the Edo State governorship election winds down, today, September 21, 2024 with 18 candidates slugging it out with one for another in the race to occupy Osadebe House, home of the executive governor of the state.

Much as there are 18 candidates on the ballot paper, observers as well as stakeholders, have narrowed the contest to three main candidates vis a vis Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But even as these candidates are the ones that have their names on the ballot papers, popular opinion across board believe that they are just pawns being controlled by specific godfathers, who are at the sides pulling the strings of support either financially, mobilization or public relations. Consequently, the election has been termed a battle of godfathers behind the scene rather than a game of popularity among contestants.

For the governing PDP candidate, Ighodalo, the accepted norm among political stakeholders has remained that he is an extension of the outgoing governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who eight years tenure ends on November 12. On the same hand, there is the Adams Oshiomhole factor, solidly pushing the candidacy of Okpebholo, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, while many are of the opinion that the Labour Party candidate, Barr Olumide Akpata, is a standalone candidate, with no particular pressure of godfatherism, many others say he is not alone, but is also being pushed by a godfathers they recognized as Mr. Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. Peter Obi, who represents the face of a new Nigeria among the youths, has featured prominently in most of Akpata’s campaign.

But for the two major godfathers, Obaseki and Oshiomhole, between whom there’s no love lost, the campaign season had been replete with mudslinging, verbal attacks and on few occasions, physical attacks. These issues have put a question mark to the decency expected as the elections kick off.

The attacks and no love status so far experienced led to the PDP’s refusal to participate in the peace accord signing ceremony, where other contesting political parties including the APC, signed.

The PDP queried the rationale behind the harassment of its members with security agencies, saying that if it did not stop, and if the Special Forces forced on Edo is not to be withdrawn, they will not sign the accord. And they did not.

“We already have a very effective state police command, so why bring in these Special Forces to Edo to harass people,” a party chieftain, Emmanuel Odigie, who defected from APC said.

But this is not the first time Obaseki will Square up against Oshiomhole, who ordinarily, was his political godfather. Both met on the tuff of political exigency in 2020 while Obaseki was seeking a second term and Oshiomhole was supporting Osagie Ize-Iyamu. This present contest is a return or episode of the events that transpiref in 2020. Even if Peter Obi was a godfather in the present disposition, he is yet to get into any shouting match with the other godfathers or contestants.

Obaseki has described the election as do or die, but observers believe it goes beyond that as it is winner takes it all considering the extent of animosity brewing among the contestants. It will be recalled that 24 hours to the election, the three candidates suffered particular setbacks. While it was said that the candidate of the APC, Monday Okpebholo had been disqualified by the courts, it was also rumored that Akpata has withdrawn from the election.

On the other, political thugs allegedly loyal to Ighodalo and the PDP were apprehended with dangerous weapons. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said they were getting ready to violently disrupt the Saturday election.

THE CANDIDATES

According to a ThisDay report, the election in Edo is described as a three horse race involving Ighodalo, Akpata and Okpebholo. These three are reported to have the highest of followership and has been prominent and visible in the campaigns.

The supporters of the candidates agree that they are not all equally matched, but that each has a comparative advantage his opponents lack.

Consider of review of their profile as portrayed by Wikipedia:

ASUE IGHODALO (PDP)

Asue Ighodalo is a product of King’s College, Lagos. He obtained B.Sc degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1981, an LL.B from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1984) and a B.L from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1985).

Upon graduation from Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Ighodalo worked as an Associate in the law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co between 1985 and 1991, and in 1991 he set up Banwo & Ighodalo, in partnership with Femi Olubanwo. The firm is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian law firm in the areas of Capital Markets, Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions. Ighodalo’s core areas of practice include Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Energy; Natural Resources, Mergers; Acquisitions, Banking, Securitization and Project Finance.In 2014, Ighodalo successfully advised Zenith Bank Plc in connection with a US$500 million eurobond issuance and Diamond Bank Plc in connection with a US$200 million eurobond issuance respectively.

He resigned from all corporate positions he held to aspire to become the governor of Edo State.

On February 22, 2024, Ighodalo emerged as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2024 Edo State governorship election. However, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja nullified election on the ground that 378 delegates who were to vote during primary election were unlawfully denied their rights to vote.

His candidacy was eventually upheld by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which confirmed Ighodalo as the legitimately nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Edo State, and dismissed the lawsuit challenging his nomination.

Ighodalo was the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sterling Bank Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plc and The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). He also sat on the boards of other public and private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a statutory body including Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the FATE Foundation (an NGO committed to the development of entrepreneurs in Nigeria).

Ighodalo became the Chairman of Sterling Bank in August 2014. He is a member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and is a past chairman of The NBA – Section on Business Law (NBA SBL). He is also a member of Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), USA, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, International Bar Association (IBA), Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Commercial Law & Taxation Committee of the Lagos Chamber Of Commerce & Industry, London School of Economics Lawyers’ Group and Associate Member Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Ighodalo is married to Ifeyinwa, and they have two daughters, Omoehi and Ayomide.

He is the elder brother of Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, senior pastor of Trinity House, Lagos.

MONDAY OKPEBHOLO (APC)

Okpebholo was born on 29 August 1970 in Udomi-Uwessan community of Irrua. Okpebholo attended Udomi Community Primary School and Ujabhole Community Secondary School, both in Uwesan Irrua, Esan Central LGA. He completed his secondary education and obtained his senior school certificate in Jos, Plateau State. Afterwards, he obtained a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja and holds Masters’ degree in Policy and Leadership Studies from the same institution.

Okpebholo contested for the Senate Seat in Edo Central senatorial district, under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was elected on 25 February 2023. On 13 June 2023, he was inaugurated into the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria, as the senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Edo Central senatorial district.

In February 2024, he won the Edo State APC gubernatorial primary election.

In 2024, Okpebholo was summoned by Magistrates’ Court over allegations of falsifying date of birth which was stated as 1 August 1977, on his INEC voter card.

Previously, he was caught falsifying his date of birth as 29 August 1972 on a WAEC certificate while being a student at the West African Examination Council.

During the 2024 campaign, Monday Okpebholo was endorsed by Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, whose husband is a Service member of the National Assembly under the APC.

Okpebholo is married to Blessing Okpapi Ekpe and together they have two children. Besides being a politician and a family man, he is also a committed Christian and an active member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.OLUMIDE AKPATA (LABOUR PARTY)

Olu Akpata

Akpata was born on October 7, 1972, in Berlin Germany. He started his educational journey at Nana Primary School in Warri, then moved on to Federal Government College, Warri and later King’s College in Lagos. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in law from University of Benin, Edo state in 1992 and was called to the bar in 1993. He served in the National Youth Service Corps in Kano State.

Akpata began his legal practice in Delta state under the tutelage of Dr. Mudiaga Odje, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, OFR, who was one of the most seasoned litigators of his time.

In 1996, Akpata relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had just set up the law firm Templars the previous year. Akpata joined in the formation of Templars at the age of 23, and has grown the firm into what it is today, as one of the largest law firms in Nigeria with a workforce of about 100 lawyers, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, both of whom practice proficiently in diverse areas of Nigerian law.

Akpata is currently senior partner and Head of the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group of Templars. He has participated in some of the major groundbreaking transactions that have shaped commercial law practice in Nigeria and indeed the Nigerian economy. He was chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).

On July 30, 2020, he was elected as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association after acquiring a total of 9,891 votes of the total 18,256 ballots cast.

Akpata is riding on the popularity of his party leader, Peter Obi, and the sweeping waves the party made in the 2023 elections, where it overwhelmingly won Edo State.

Headline

Tony Elumelu Urges Urgent Action on Africa’s Economic Growth, Youth Employment, and Energy Transition at UNGA

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2 weeks ago

September 21, 2024

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UNGA: Elumelu To Call For Urgent Action On Africa- Focused Issues African philanthropist and business leader, Tony Elumelu, will make Africa’s transformative economic growth, youth employment, and energy transition central to the discussions at this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), taking place late September in New York.

Elumelu will call for urgent action in a series of engagements, including a roundtable discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative with former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and at an event co-hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), led by WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain.

Elumelu will bring his perspective both from extensive experience in building industry-leading businesses across the continent, and the success of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s catalytic programmes empowering young Africans. Elumelu is a realist, challenging Africa and Africans to solve their problems, bringing African solutions, but also recognizing Africa’s responsibility to act.

As Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and pan-African investment company, Heirs Holdings, as well as Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Elumelu is a leading driver of Africa’s transformation agenda, helping shape the continent’s narrative on the global stage. His thought leadership and advocacy challenge conventional views, offering innovative strategies for collaboration and growth. The success of his Foundation in promoting youth entrepreneurship as a pathway out of poverty, has featured in case studies from Harvard, Chicago Business School, Stanford and Cambridge.

With over 60% of Africans lacking access to electricity and young people making up more than 60% of the continent’s 1.3 billion population, Africa faces challenges that impact the world. Africa, most recently with tragic floods in West Africa, is suffering climate driven environmental crises, caused by global emissions, whilst Africa’s development is held back by huge infrastructure deficits.

In a recent statement, Elumelu emphasised, “I have often said that there is nowhere else in the world you can reap the kind of investments as in Africa. However, I am acutely aware of the fundamental challenges our continent faces. Addressing the issues of sustainable economic growth, youth unemployment, genda inequality, and Africa’s energy transition is critical not only for meeting the continent’s basic developmental needs, but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and unlocking the immense economic potential that Africa offers.”

An economist and visionary entrepreneur, Elumelu’s economic philosophy of Africapitalism, serves as a blueprint for accelerating Africa’s economic transformation, advocating for the private sector to take the lead in delivering social and economic wealth, and shared prosperity for all.

Alongside Elumelu’s advocacy, the United Bank for Africa, which he chairs, will host a networking gala on the sidelines of UNGA – a platform to spotlight investment opportunities on the continent. The Gala will convene prominent leaders across four continents, in commemoration of UBA Group’s 75th anniversary and the Group’s 40 years of operations in the United States.