Politics
INEC submits BVAS machines to tribunal as Edo election dispute deepens
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election to the election tribunal, following a subpoena obtained by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the election, but the PDP has fiercely contested the outcome, alleging that its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the rightful winner. The party claims that the election was marred by over-voting, with results exceeding the number of accredited voters in several locations.
During Thursday’s proceedings, a PDP witness from Akoko Edo, who served as the Ward 9 collation agent, testified that while voting was conducted properly in the 13 polling units within the ward, the results recorded at the collation center differed from those uploaded on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
He further stated that a duplicate set of results, which did not match polling unit records, was presented at the collation center—prompting his refusal to sign the ward collation result sheet.
Read also: Ighodalo’s witness exposes mountain of irregularities in Edo governorship election
Similarly, another PDP collation agent from Oredo Local Government testified that INEC’s final results in Ward 1 did not align with polling unit data or the figures uploaded to IREV.
The tribunal has since admitted certified true copies (CTCs) of exhibits submitted by the PDP, highlighting alleged inconsistencies in the declared results.
With the BVAS machines now in evidence, the tribunal is set to analyze their records, which serve as a verifiable benchmark for voter accreditation figures.
Legal analysts suggest that this development significantly bolsters the PDP’s petition, as the Supreme Court has previously ruled that BVAS data is the primary source for verifying accreditation figures in disputed elections.
As the legal battle unfolds, the APC and Governor Okpebholo’s legal team are expected to scrutinise the evidence closely in preparation for their defense. The tribunal’s findings on the BVAS data could prove decisive in determining the final outcome of the Edo governorship election dispute.
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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