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Edo: NCP calls for annulment of polls, prosecution of Obaseki

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The National Conscience Party (NCP) and its flag-bearer  in the just concluded governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Peters Osawaru Omoragbon have called for the cancellation of the entire process that produced governor Godwin Obaseki as winner.
This call is coming few days after  Obaseki received his Certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Omoragbon who was reacting to the outcome of the polls in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists accused INEC of regarding a valid judgement of the Court of Appeal by going  ahead to conduct the  election without re-listing the NCP in the register of political parties.
According to Omoragbon,  the illegal exclusion of his party’s logo and name on the ballot by the electoral umpire was an abuse of court process and total disregard to the rule of law.
He said, “the action of INEC is a reflection of the actions of the ruling class towards obeying court rulings.
“INEC would again be shooting itself on the legs by going ahead with the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo State, when there was a subsisting ruling of the appeal court to reinstate the de-registered political parties including the NCP.
“That was an abuse of court process and total disregard to the rule of law. By not appealing that judgement of August 10, 2020, or asking for a stay of execution and still went ahead with the September 19 2020, INEC is doomed to fail at the Supreme Court.
“Come October 13, 2020, the court case between the NCP and the INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation over the illegal exclusion of my candidacy in the just concluded Edo 2020 governorship elections and unconstitutional de-registration will be heard. In the worst-case scenario, the matter may probably end up at the Supreme Court just as it did in 2002 and we are sure of victory. If and when the Court upholds our argument, INEC will be left with no choice than to conduct a fresh election to include my Party and other political parties that were illegally excluded”.
While objecting to the general view that the Commission had overseen a free and fair election in Edo State, Omoragbon added that  INEC does not have the interest of the Nigerian people at heart but to serve its masters in APC and PDP.
He therefore called for the  disqualification  and prosecution of Governor Obaseki for allegedly breaching Section 118 (I)(d) of the Electoral Act 2010 by filling the nomination paper of more than one political party.
“Section 118 (I)(d) of the 2010 Electoral Act stipulates that: A person who signs a nomination paper or result form as a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election is not only to be disqualified but liable on conviction to maximum term imprisonment for two years.
“It is global knowledge that Godwin Obaseki submitted himself for the 2020 governorship election first under the All Progressive Congress (APC) and thereafter after being disqualified in the APC moved to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had his way in as their candidate.
“What this means is that  Godwin Obaseki presented himself as a candidate in two different political parties in the same election and same year”, he added.
He advised Governor Obaseki to ‘honourably resign with his dignity and honour still intact’, rather than to be ‘sacked by the court and made to face the possibility of a two-year jail term’ for breaching the electoral act.
It could  be recalled that  INEC had in February de-registered 74 political parties, among which was the NCP.
However, a Federal High court in May subsequently validated the decision of the Commission.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on August 10, in a unanimous ruling by a three-man panel presided over by its president, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, overruled the electoral commission’s de-registration of the political parties.
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N10bn Alleged Loot: SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi Turns Chinery

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** as he implicates Sen. Jack Gyado, Shango, Two Reps members, Chia Waya and others

 

As the ongoing probe into the alleged fraudulent activities of the embattled personal Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Senator George Akume, Hon. Andrew Torhile Uchi, continues , our correspondent gathered that he has allegedly turned to Chinery dropping prominent individuals names as EFCC widened up its investigations.

Meanwhile, the operative of the Commission on Thursday, granted an administrative bail to his younger brother, Mr. Tersoo Uchi, who was taken into custody over his alleged complicity in the matter.

Our checks reveals that a mind-boggling scandal was exposed via a petition written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, intimating them about a controversial office opened in the central business district in Abuja, beside the Federal High Court, to engaged on fraudulent consultancy of awarding Ecological contracts to business men and women, boards appointments and other governments favors amounting to billions of Naira.

Further checks also, revealed that the embattled Uchi, so far, has allegedly implicated two elder statesmen, Senator Jack Gyado and Elder Simon Shango, over the sharing of the largesse.

Also, mentioned are two serving members of the House of Representatives ( names withheld), Mr. Chia waya, Prof. Babatunde, Late. Ortaver Abaagu, a serving director in the SGF office and other three close political associates of the secretary to the government of the Federation, SGF Senator George Akume.

Importantly, a highly placed source at the Commission, told our correspondent that, the SGF, was duly notified about the investigations weeks ago, which he personally okayed that it’s must be carried out to enable him cleared his name and office.

The source who quoted the SGF, that he outrightly distanced himself from the alleged fraud that the law must takes its cause without any hindrance and obstructions.

Investigations from the EFCC, indicates that most of the inflows traced to four new generations banks of Mr. Uchi, allegedly raises serious suspicions with the volumes and the traffic its generated, which clearly indicated its were bribes.

Recall that a highly placed source at the Commission, had confirmed to our correspondent on Friday, that the embattled Uchi was invited by the operatives of the Commission on Monday, upon a petition received by the anti-graft agency over Alleged properties he acquired in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi, Gboko and Wannune in Tarka, local government Area of Benue State amounting to over N6 billion.

According to the source, further investigations so far, has revealed that between December 2023 to date the anti-graft agency has been able to trace a whooping N1.6 billion that was allegedly used in buying purch cars through four new generations banks to nine car dealers in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and Makurdi respectively.

The source further added that two Bureau de change operatives are currently been investigated by the Commission, over their alleged involvement in the scam, owing that most of the funds credited to embattled Torhile Andrew Uchi, emanated from their coys.

He said that the Commission is currently working towards getting a court nod to widen the scope of their investigations to the properties in Abuja, Jos and other part of the country to ascertain the source of the income and how the properties were allegedly purchased.

As of the time of filing in this report Mr. Uchi, is still in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, telling the dreaded operatives of the Commission how he allegedly got the funds which is largely believed to be proceeds from bribes.

He might end up staying in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC beyond 48 hours as recommended by the law, owing the fact that the Commission has secretly secured an injuction to keep him beyond the required days as stipulated by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Starship to leave for Mars at end of 2026 – Elon Musk

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Elon Musk has announced an ambitious timeline for SpaceX’s Mars mission, revealing that the company’s massive Starship rocket is set to depart for the Red Planet at the end of 2026. The mission will include Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, as part of the spacecraft’s payload.

“If those landings go well, then human landings may start as soon as 2029, although 2031 is more likely,” Musk posted on his social media platform, X.

The Starship rocket—considered the world’s most powerful—is central to Musk’s long-term vision of colonizing Mars. However, significant technical hurdles remain before this dream becomes reality.

NASA is also counting on a modified version of Starship to serve as the lunar lander for its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon this decade. But before SpaceX can proceed with interplanetary travel, it must demonstrate that Starship is safe, reliable, and capable of complex in-orbit refueling—an essential requirement for deep space missions.

SpaceX recently encountered a setback when the latest test flight of Starship ended in an explosion. While the booster was successfully caught in its orbital test, the upper stage failed, tumbling out of control before the live feed abruptly cut. The incident mirrored a previous attempt.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation before Starship can fly again, adding another layer of scrutiny to SpaceX’s ambitious timeline.

Despite these challenges, Musk remains optimistic, continuing to push forward toward his goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species.

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Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala

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The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to two Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Imo and Anambra States. The beneficiaries are Holy Rosary College of Nursing, Ogbe, in Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise, and College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, presented N10 million cheques to each institution during his visits on Friday. At the Holy Rosary College of Nursing, he handed over the cheque to the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev Simeon Nwobi, at the college’s construction site. Similarly, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala, he presented the donation to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Miss Anigbo Chisom Mary, in the presence of excited students.

Highlighting the significance of his donation, Obi stressed that healthcare and education are critical to national development. He commended the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara for investing in nursing education, describing it as a vital step in securing Nigeria’s future.

“My Lords, what you are doing is a great service to our country,” Obi said. “This donation is not a favour but a recognition of your efforts in nation-building. I will always support this project because it is about securing a better future for Nigeria.”

Obi further urged the government to prioritize quality education, including the prompt payment of teachers’ salaries. He emphasized the need for free and accessible education at the primary and secondary levels, both in public and private schools.

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