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INEC Frustrating Petitioners, Refuses To Release Documents – Peter Obi

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Peter Obi has accused INEC of frustrating petitioners and total refusal to release election documents.

JomogNews reports that Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), lead counsel for Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to release all essential documents about the 25 February presidential election that the legal team needs to prove its case at the Court.

Briefing newsmen at the end of proceedings on Tuesday, Uzoukwu accused INEC of being biased and behaving as if it had a candidate in the election.

He alleged that INEC is probably trying to manipulate the documents, before releasing them and vowed that the legal team would expose the electoral umpire when the hearing begins.

According to him, INEC is supposed to remain neutral and release every essential document requested by petitioners, and not resort to actions that frustrate them.

Uzoukwu specifically mentioned Rivers State where INEC has failed to release documents requested by the party’s legal team.

According to him, Rivers State has 23 local government areas but INEC has only released 15 of them.

“Up to this moment, INEC is yet to give us all the documents we require. I continue to ask, why is INEC behaving in this way and manner? what are they hiding? They are supposed to be neutral but they are behaving as if INEC is having a candidate in its own election. That should never be so. Nigeria is the only country where we have something like this,” Uzoukwu said.

He added that such a biased attitude by an electoral umpire is never found in other parts of the world but in Nigeria.

“In quite a number of countries they (electoral bodies) remain neutral but in Nigeria, you see them frustrating petitioners; preventing petitioners from having access to documents.”

On whether the LP legal team refused to pay the Commission to access the documents as claimed by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to INEC, Mr Uzoukwu said the Commission is simply lying to the public.

According to him, the team had written to the electoral body notifying them of their willingness to pay for the document but INEC hasn’t responded.

“We have written five letters indicating to pay and that we’re ready to collect those documents. The letters were duly received and endorsed by INEC. Why are they telling lies to say that we couldn’t pay? This is very unfortunate.

“What about the documents we have collected? Don’t we pay for them? Of course, we paid for them and those ones were given to us but refused to give us others,” Uzoukwu said.

Obi’s lawyer said INEC has no choice but to release the documents, adding that the party would serve the electoral body a subpoena as soon as the hearing resumes on May 30 to compel them to produce the documents.

The lawyer said his team will manage the three weeks allotted, by focusing on the most essential witnesses that would help prove the case.

The Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and their presidential candidates had filed separate petitions, challenging the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as President-elect by INEC. They joined Tinubu, Shettima, APC and INEC as respondents in their suits.

With the pre-hearing session concluded, the Court has merged LP, PDP and APM’s petitions and fixed May 30 for the beginning of the hearing proper.

Speaking on consolidation of the petitions, Uzoukwu explained that all three petitions will be heard together, but each one will maintain its identity.

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim

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A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.

 

One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.

 

Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.

 

In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”

 

He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.

 

“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.

 

He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.

 

The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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