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Why we failed to upload Presidential results to IReV – INEC

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Two subpoenaed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc officers said the election umpire had difficulty uploading presidential results during the Feb 25 election.

The officers, Friday Egwuma and Grace Timothy who testified as subpoenaed witnesses before the presidential election petition court (PEPC) made this known on Thursday.

In a petition marked CA/PEPC/05/2023, Abubakar Atiku and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are challenging the outcome of the Feb.25 presidential election which brought President Bola Tinubu as the winner.

The respondents in the petition are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the resumed hearing, Chris Uche, SAN, counsel for the petitioners informed the court that they are calling their first subpoenaed witness.

The witness named Friday Egwuma, an INEC ad hoc officer during the Feb 25 election was a corp member as of that date.

At the point of adopting his witness statement on oath, there was objection from the respondents.

The respondents’ counsel all gave their submissions and the court reserved ruling on their objections until final judgement.

Testifying, Mr Egwuma and Ms Timothy told the court that they worked as polling unit officers.

They admitted that they operated the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS).

They said they were able to upload results for the House of Representatives and Senate successfully while that of the presidential election refused to go.

Earlier, when Mr Uche was leading Ms Egwuma in evidence to adopt his witness statement on oath, President Bola Tinubu’s counsel, Wole Olanipakun, SAN objected.

Mr Olanipakun submitted that the statement was not listed and front-loaded alongside other list of witnesses as required by the provision of the Electoral Act

He said the provisions of the law do not make distinction to whether a witness is subpoenaed or not, that his or her statement must be front-loaded.

He argued that in this case the subpoenaed witness’ statement was not front-loaded alongside other list of witnesses in the petition

Mr Olanipakun, however, submitted that he was not unaware that the court could summon witnesses by itself in the interest of justice.

He cited some authorities to drive his point home and we can not add, subtract from what is in the law.

He, therefore, urged the court to uphold the objection.

In his own submission, counsel for INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN said counsel has an overriding duty to help the court.

He said at the time of filing the petition, the petitioners ought to have filed the subpoenaed witnesses’ statement on oath and front load.

Lateef Fagbemi, SAN counsel for APC in his submission aligned with both the 1st and 2nd respondents’ counsel.

He added that the petitioners can come with application for extension of time in which they can file additional witnesses.

However, Atiku’s lead counsel, Mr Uche asked the Court to dismiss the objections on the grounds that they were utterly misplaced and misconceived.

He submitted that the objections by Mr Tinubu, APC and INEC were deliberate ploys designed to delay proceedings.

Mr Uche insisted that the statements of the subpoenaed witnesses could not have been front-loaded along with the petition because they have not been summoned at the time of filing the petition.

He asked the Court to discountenance the objections of the three respondents and hold that they are not regular additional witnesses envisaged in the law cited by Mr Olanipekun.

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“Go and Verify”: How Sunday Umeha Is Redefining Representation in Ezeagu/Udi

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Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha has continued to distinguish himself not only as a grassroots politician but as a sound parliamentarian who clearly understands the true essence of legislative representation and public service.

Since emerging as the Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umeha has consistently demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment both on the floor of the National Assembly and within his constituency.

Unlike many politicians whose promises disappear after elections, Rt. Hon. Umeha has steadily transformed his campaign mantra, “Go and Verify,” into practical realities visible across communities in Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency.

From road construction to solar-powered streetlights, classroom projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural empowerment, scholarships, boreholes, and youth development programmes, his stewardship has remained rooted in service delivery and measurable impact.

Observers say one of the strongest qualities that separates Umeha from many lawmakers is his deep understanding of parliamentary responsibilities. Through strategic bills and motions, he has continued to show that representation goes beyond rhetoric and political appearances.

Among several notable legislative efforts, he sponsored bills seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, reforms in the education sector through the abolition of levies in public basic schools, mandatory insurance protection for NYSC members, and the establishment of a National Football Academy.

He also sponsored motions addressing critical national concerns, including the investigation into the gruesome killing of Nigerians by soldiers in Enugu State and the urgent completion of the Karshi/Apo Road project in Abuja to ease traffic congestion.

Political analysts note that these interventions reflect a lawmaker who understands that effective representation must combine constituency development with strong legislative advocacy.

Many constituents equally commend him for remaining faithful to the promises he made during his campaigns. Across the constituency, residents point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence that the lawmaker has not reneged on his commitments to the people.

Beyond governance and legislative duties, Rt. Hon. Umeha also played significant roles in efforts aimed at restoring sanity, stability, and internal cohesion within the Labour Party before his eventual defection to the APC.

Sources within the political space in Enugu State revealed that Umeha consistently pushed for peace, unity, and institutional order within the party during periods of internal crisis and leadership disagreements. His interventions were said to be driven by the desire to protect the interests of party members and preserve the integrity of the platform.

However, following prolonged internal challenges and unresolved structural issues within the Labour Party, the federal lawmaker eventually moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision many political observers described as strategic and inevitable.

Despite the political transition, supporters insist that his focus has remained unchanged — delivering quality representation, empowering constituents, and sustaining developmental projects across Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.

For many residents, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha represents a rare blend of grassroots leadership, legislative competence, humility, and political responsibility.

And across the constituency, the verdict from many communities remains simple:

“He promised, and he delivered.”

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