Whilst we are disappointed with the dismissal of our Petition against the result of the Councillorship Election for Ward A, Eti Osa Local Government by the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal, Youth Party wishes to commend the Election Tribunal for discharging it’s duties within reasonable time.

As strong believers in democracy and the rule of law, we will study the judgment and take an informed decision on the way forward after due consultations.

It is however important to state, that while the Tribunal concluded that we were unable to prove our case beyond resonable doubt, it totally ignored the crux of our Petition, which was over voting in many of the polling units, the failure of election to hold in at least two polling units and the systematic disenfranchisement of voters occassioned by the late arrival of election materials and the illegal relocation of several polling units. This we proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Specifically, there were clear evidence of overvoting in atleast 8 polling units (PUs 3,4,5,8,9,10 and 11)of the 16 Polling Units where the number of votes were more than the total number of accredited voters. In polling unit 003 located at 1, Yekini Elegushi Street, Ikate, 139 voters were accredited but 146 voted. In polling unit 004, located at Ikate Primary Health Center, 21 voters were accredited but 98 voted. In polling unit 005, located at the end of Oba Yekini Elegushi street, 241 voters were accredited but 253 voted. In polling unit 011, located at Igbokusu village,142 voters were accredited but 205 voted, Etc. Furthermore, No election election result was recorded for polling units 13 and 14a even on the summary of results used to return APC.

Election started in polling unit 13 at 3:15pm for an election that was meant to end at 3pm after most voters had left. Wrong materials were brought for polling unit 14a. All the above stated facts were uncontroverted. It is our position that the brazen act of electoral malpractice would continue to lead to voters apathy and imperil our hard fought democracy.

Voters turnout in Lagos State is currently less than 10%, which suggests that electorates are losing confidence in the electoral process.

That said, we commend the efforts of our brilliant legal team headed by Mr Yemi Candide-Johnson, S.A.N., and the unflinching support of our party members, supporters and well wishers. We will continue to fight the good fight of shaping a future where every Nigerian can fulfil their true potential.

Finally, we wish to commend our candidate, Mrs Tari Taylaur, who has demonstrated leadership throughout the entire process. She ran a brilliant campaign that connected with people from all strata of society and gave them hope. She’ll be back and even stronger.

The race towards a better Nation remains our unrelenting purpose and we urge every well meaning Nigerians to join this noble cause of Shaping the Future of our great Country.

Youth Party, Abia State Chapter, has described the death of Lady Adanma Enyidiya Okpara, wife of late Michael Okpara, Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, as a big loss, adding that her motherly advise would be greatly missed.

Abia Youth Party made their feelings known when the Party Executives led by the Chairman, Hon. Chris Onyekachi Okorie paid a condolence visit to the family in their Umuahia residence.

In his speech during the visit, Hon. Onyekachi, said that the motherly advise those close to Lady Enyidiya Okpara and beyond received from her has transformed a good number of them that deployed it to good use.

He added that late Lady Enyidiya Okpara left indelible footprints in annals of history which would be difficult to erase, while urging the family to take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life just as he admonished them to take solace in the good legacies she left behind.

Responding through his wife, the first son Mr Uzodinma Okpara, appreciated the Youth Party for finding it worthy to commiserate with the family during their moment of grief, praying God to prosper the party.

In the same vein, Youth Party, Abia State Chapter also condoned with the family of the first Military Head of State of Nigeria Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi over the death of Victoria Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi.

The party appreciated the role the family played in unifying the country, adding that their sacrifices fostered peace.

On their part, the family commended the party and pledged to communicate with the party concerning the burial rites among others.

The Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal, Alausa, Ikeja, Today & Yesterday, 20th and 21st September, 2021, heard the Petition filed by our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur in respect of the disputed Councillorship election in Ward A, (Lekki/Ikate) Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide Johnson, S.A.N., appeared for the Petitioners with Eze Okam, Chibuike Ifeagwu and Chizoba Anyaeji.

Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N, with Mr. Ogunleye for APC and Mr. Tolulope Adebayo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). APC and its candidate presented their case by calling 11 witnesses. Mr. Niyi Ogunyemi, a witness for APC testified that he acted as party agent for polling unit 001 and signed the result.
However, it was revealed during cross examination that he did not sign the result as claimed. The next witness Mr. Idowu Tomoloju, APC agent for Polling Unit 2 Itedo also testified for APC and its candidate and gave a similar testimony that was contradicted on cross examination by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu. It was revealed that he was not the agent for APC in the election and he did not sign the result.

Mr. Owowa Kingsley testified as APC’s agent for Polling Unit 13 testified that he arrived the polling unit located at Divine Mercy Church, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1 at 7 am while the Electoral Officers arrived the polling unit at 8 am when in fact the electoral officers arrived the polling unit at 2.30 pm. Also, the polling unit was moved to Lekki Event Centre where election eventually took place at about 3:15pm. The witness contradicted himself when he testified that Youth Party won the election in the polling unit but the APC candidate was declared winner.

Mr. Dauda Adewale testified for APC and its candidate. The witness was cross-examined where he admitted that polling unit 003 was relocated to 1, Oba Yekini Elegushi Street, contrary to Elegushi Main Entrance provided by the LASIEC guidelines.

Mrs. Bilikisu Elegushi testified for APC and its candidate in respect of polling unit 8. She admitted during cross examination that there was over voting in the polling unit as the number of ballot papers issued were 400 and the number of unused ballot papers and valid votes were 508.

Mrs. Omoniyi Adetoro testified that she acted as party agent for polling unit 011.
The witness confirmed during cross examination that she knows Honourable Kehinde Muyibi, a former Councilor and an APC leader in Igbokusu who in the company of his father intimidated the agents of Youth Party in Igbokusu village during the election.

The Tribunal adjourned to Wednesday, 22nd September, 2021, at 11 am, for continuation of hearing.

The Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday 16th September, 2021, heard the Petition filed by our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur in respect of the rigged Councillorship election in Ward A, (Lekki/Ikate) Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide Johnson, S.A.N., appeared for the Petitioners with Eze Okam, Esther Randle, Chibuike Ifeagwu and Chizoba Anyaeji.

Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N, with Mr. Ogunleye for APC and Mr. Efe Akpoduvo with Tolulope Adebayo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

The Witness, Mrs. Kazeem Kudirat Ajoke , the Electoral Officer for Ward A, Eti-Osa Local Government, who was subpoenaed by the Tribunal to tender the declaration of result sheet, summary of result for Ward A, LASIEC guidelines for Eti-Osa Local Government, register of voters for polling units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 008 and 011 and results for polling units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, 015 and further testify on those documents.

Mr. Ogala, SAN, vehemently opposed the tendering of the register of voters either from the bar or through the witness.

The Court stood down the matter for 10 minutes to enable the Petitioners agree with the witness to enable her tender the documents. The Electoral Officer agreed to tender the declaration of result sheet, summary of result for Ward A, LASIEC guidelines for Eti-Osa Local Government, results for polling units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, 015 but asked that she be afforded time to cross check the register of voters for polling units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 008 and 011 brought by the Petitioners with the one in their custody to ensure consistency before coming to tender the register of voters.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu informed that Tribunal that he can close his case and then take the witness when LASIEC opens its case, to avoid delays.

The Petitioners concluded their case and the matter was consequently adjourned to Monday, 20th September, 2021, at 10 am, for continuation of hearing.

The Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday 13th September, 2021, heard the Petition filed by our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur in respect of the rigged Councillorship election in Ward A, (Lekki/Ikate) Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide Johnson, S.A.N., appeared for the Petitioners with Eze Okam, Esther Randle, Chizoba Anyaeji and Emmanuella Fogeh.

Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N, with Mr. Ogunleye for APC and Mr. Efe Akpoduvo with Olulogbe Adebayo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur presented 2 Witnesses at the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal today. The Polling Agent for Polling Unit 13, who had testified that voting materials did not arrive until about 3pm. And, voting started at 3:15pm, when most voters had left having waited from about 8am in some cases. He testified that the election venue was moved from Omorinre Johnson Street, off Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1 to Lekki Event Centre. He also tendered a video recording showing irregularities collation of results going on at the Local Government, Igbo-Efon.

The witness was cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N and Mr. Akpoduvo. The witness was further re-examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu.

The 2nd Witness, Mrs. Bolanle Babajide, the Chief Legal Officer of INEC, who was subpoenaed by the Tribunal to tender the register of voters for polling units 014A, 016, 016A, 17, 18, 18A and 19 and further testify on those documents.

Mr. Ogala, SAN argued that the witness was not listed as a witness for the Petitioners and cannot testify for the Petitioners. However, the witness can only tender those documents. The Tribunal upheld his objection and the witness was examined by the Tribunal after which the register of voters for polling units 014A, 016, 016A, 17, 18, 18A and 19 were tendered.

We could not conclude our case as scheduled by Tribunal as the LASIEC Election Returning Officer for the Constituency was absent.

The Matter was consequently adjourned to Thursday, 16th September, 2021, at 12noon, for continuation of hearing.

The Election Petition filed before the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal in respect of the Ward A, (Lekki/Ikate) Eti-Osa Local Government Area Councillorship election came up for hearings earlier today.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide Johnson, S.A.N., appeared for the Petitioners with Esther Randle, Collins Ede, Abiola Abegunde and Emmanuella Fogeh for the Petitioners.
Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N, with Mr. Ogunleye for APC and Mr. Efe Akpoduvo with Olulogbe Adebayo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur presented 2 Witnesses at the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal today. They were examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu and cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N., for APC and Mr. Akpoduvo for Lagos State Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

The 1st Witness, our Party’s agent for polling unit 16A testified that voters came to cast their vote but discovered that election was not ongoing. So many voters waited for the arrival of LASIEC officials but they did not show up and they left the polling unit out of frustration. He found out from a voter that polling unit 16 had been moved to Admiralty Way in Lekki without notifying the electorates. He further testified that he joined a LASIEC official to polling unit 13 at past 3 pm while election started at 3.17 pm. The witness was cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N and Mr. Akpoduvo. The witness was further re-examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu.

The 2nd Witness, our party’s agent for polling unit 013 testified that he arrived the election venue at about 6.30 am and waited for the arrival of LASIEC officials, but they did not show up. He further testified that LASIEC officials arrived the election venue at about 2.30 pm and informed the voters that polling unit 13 has been moved to Lekki Event Centre on Admiralty Way while voting started at about 3:00 pm but that there was poor turnout of voters due to the delay and sudden change of location by the LASIEC officials.

The 2nd witness was unable to conclude his testimony due to some technical fault with the recording system.
The matter was consequently adjourned to Monday, 13th September, 2021, for continuation of hearing.

The Tribunal started sitting at about 10:20am.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide-Johnson,S.A.N.,appeared for the Petitioners with Eze Okam, Esther Randle, Chibuike Ifeagwu and Chizoba Anyaeji for the Petitioners.
Mr. Babatunde Ogala S.A.N., for APC and Sadiq Mudashiru(it’s candidate)
Mr. Efe Akpoduvo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission(LASIEC).

Our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur presented 5 Witnesses at the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal today. They were examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu and cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N., for APC and Mr. Akpoduvo for Lagos State Electoral Commission(LASIEC).
One of the Witneseses, our Party’s agent for Polling Unit 16 and 16A testified that the Ward A constituency starts from Lekki Phase 1 and ends at Femi Okunnu Estate and that her polling units were within the constituency. Election took place in the polling units but was never recorded in the final result even though Youth Party won. Also, the Polling units was not on LASIEC’s guildeline.

The 2nd witness, our party’s agent for polling unit 10 in Igbokusu village testified that there was threat and intimidation at the polling unit as party agent for Youth Party’s representation was challenged on the ground that he is not a member of the community.
There was multiple thumb printing and when he started recording the irregularities, members of the APC trailed him and he left the community for his safety before the end of the election.

The third witness, Youth Party’s agent in polling unit 14A in Lekki testified that the election materials brought in his polling unit had Iru/Victoria Island on it.
That after the election, the ballot papers were moved to Iru/Victoria Island LCDA for collation which resulted in disenfranchisement of voters in polling unit 14A as their votes did not count and the result was not recorded in the final result.

The fourth witness, Youth Party’s agent for polling unit 005 in Ikate Land which was located around the palace of Oba of Elegushi testified that several groups of persons who are non Nigerians were brought to vote upon the payment of N3000.
Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs was also seen openly disturbing money from the trunk of his car.

The fifth witness, the Youth Party’s agent for polling unit 007 testified that her polling unit was moved from the original location to the Palace of Oba Elegushi of Ikate Land. She was testified that APC mobilized voters with money, food and drinks to ensure they vote for the APC candidate and they also followed voters to the polling booth to ensure they vote for APC candidates.

The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, 8th September 2021, for continuation of Hearing.

The Youth Party and its councillorship candidate Ward A, Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mrs. Tari Taylur, have filed an election petition at the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal to dispute the result declared in the election by Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ,LASIEC.

In the petition filed by their counsel, Adeyemi Candide-Johnson, SAN,  they are seeking the cancellation of the exercise they described as discredited election.

According to a statement made available to Vanguard, the party said:”You will recall that the election was marred by massive irregularities and substantial non-compliance with extant electoral laws. In at least 8 of the 16 Polling Units earmarked for the election, electoral officers and materials either did not turn up at all or got to polling units very late after most voters had left. Furthermore, about six polling units were illegally relocated to or around a royal palace, which were inaccessible to intending voters.

“There was massive intimidation, with thugs visibly forcing voters to vote for the ruling Party in 3 polling units in Igbokusu. Not to mention the brazen multiple thumb printing by agents of the ruling party.

“In summary, there was massive suppression of votes, intimidation, violence, and substantial non-compliance with the electoral laws. These irregularities contributed to the gigantic voters’ apathy and a lack of confidence in the electoral system observed during the polls. It is no surprise that the average turnout at the election was 2.5% of the registered voters. This poor conduct of the election is putting democracy in peril.

“Consequently, we have resolved to pursue this legal battle to the fullest extent of the law to retrieve the stolen mandate and restore confidence in the electoral process. We expect and trust that the judiciary, being the last hope of the common man, would step up and correct the charade of an election that LASIEC conducted in Ward A, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, on Saturday 24th July 2021.”

Without the rule of law, we have no democracy. We have been on this journey for four years. Despite having the Constitution and several judgments from the court on our side, we have been victims of a commission that lacks respect for the rule of law and has chosen to play God. For what is a society where public institutions created by statutes have scant regard for the rule of law and the courts that uphold them? Little wonder RJ Intindola, the famous poet, philosopher, and writer, once claimed that, “If we do not have justice for the rule of law, then society shall be broken.”

The Youth Party commenced registration in December 2016 but was not registered until 14th August 2018, just days before the commencement of primaries for the 2019 general elections. This was despite a judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in October 2017. This undue sabotage from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) affected our ability to perform at the 2019 general elections. Nonetheless, we fielded 11 candidates for the House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly all over the country in those elections.

In late 2019, INEC threatened to deregister the Youth Party without due process or recourse to the Constitution’s provisions. To forestall the threatened deregistration, we commenced a court action against INEC in January 2020 at the Federal High Court, Abuja and judgment was delivered in our favour on 12th October 2020. Subsequently, INEC appealed against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the Court of Appeal ruled through a unanimous judgment delivered by Hon. Justice T.Y. Hassan, that our purported deregistration was illegal, null, and void.

It, therefore, defeats logic that despite the judgment from the Appeal Court, INEC initially refused to list our party’s name on its website as a registered party or allow us to participate in any election. INEC’s flagrant disregard of the court’s ruling is a breach of the universally and constitutionally protected human rights of our members to freedom of association. The assault on our judiciary by INEC cannot continue if we intend to preserve our democracy. Perhaps it was this dissent to the chaos that Justice I.E Ekwo decided to avert when he boldly declared in his ruling against INEC that:

“… the Defendant is not above the law. No person or parties to an action is allowed to resort to self-help when an action is pending in court. The claim that the Defendant has power pursuant to S,225A(b) & (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to deregister a political party does not justify the action of the Defendant while this action is pending. The Defendant must understand that the constitution is not an author of confusion. I condemn the action of the Defendant as a wrong exercise of might. Therefore, the deregistration of the Plaintiff during the pendency of this action by the Defendant is illegal, null and void, and liable to be set aside. Consequently, I hereby make an order setting aside the deregistration of the Plaintiff.”

Also, in a unanimous judgment by the Court of Appeal delivered by Honourable Justice T.Y. Hassan, J.C.A., the court frowned at INEC’s notoriety, declaring that:

“This court will not hesitate to sustain the decision of the lower court which pulled down and dismantled the edifice that the Appellant built on self-help when it deregistered the Respondent not only during the pendency of the Suit but when it had been served with and had reacted to the motion for an interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain the Appellant from the very act it helped itself to actualize extra judicially. To say the least, we find the Appellant’s action very reprehensible. The Lower Court, as any court of law would have done, acted correctly by setting aside the deregistration of the Respondent. We have no reason to interfere with the order made by the Lower Court and same be sustained.”

It is essential to point out that this party has never contested INEC’s powers to regulate the affairs of political parties. We have only argued that such powers must be exercised within the ambits of the law and that same be guided by the Constitution. We have further recommended to the National Assembly that the power to deregister a political party should only be exercised by INEC after obtaining a judgment from a competent court.

The Youth Party will continue to challenge the Commission’s role in inadvertently creating a two-party system where the choices for Nigerians are grossly limited. We, therefore, encourage INEC to revert to its statutorily imposed duty of neutrality as a regulator.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that the Lagos State Electoral Commission (LASIEC) threatened to take sides with INEC in clear breach of the Constitution and the Appellate Court’s rulings. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, the Chairperson of LASIEC, is a retired judge and should seek to protect the integrity of the men and women of the bench by ensuring that the Commission she now leads shows respect for the rule of law. The Youth Party contested in Saturday’s local government elections.

We will not be deterred or discouraged because we are fighting a good cause. We are fighting for a country that works for all Nigerians and not the one that works for a select few. We are fighting for a country where the rule of law is respected irrespective of social status or position. We are fighting for the soul of our nation, and God is on our side.

The candidate of the Youth Party in the recently conducted local government election in Lagos, Mrs Tari Taylaur, has expressed great displeasure with LAISEC for frustrating the party’s effort to inspect election materials.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Onigbanjo had on Monday, August 23, granted the party’s request to inspect the election materials for the councillorship election in Ward A, Lekki. Upon receiving the order, LAISEC’s legal director, Mrs Abiola Gbadamosi scheduled a meeting on Thursday, August 26, to inspect the materials at the local government secretariat in Eti-Osa.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Mrs Taylaur stated that “Our lawyers noticed that the ballot papers for all the Polling Units in Eti-Osa Local Government were jumbled in the bag, making it challenging to identify the ballot papers used in Ward A. It was not sorted out nor arranged to allow for easy understanding or comprehension.

“During the inspection, we were informed that the office closes by 4 pm. As such, all inspections on election materials are to be concluded within four hours which was indeed a ridiculous task and a ploy to frustrate us.

At about 3 pm while the inspection was ongoing, our legal representatives realised that they could not meet the deadline. In good faith, they approached the authority to schedule another inspection on Friday, August 27, 2021, to enable them to complete the inspection of the election materials as ordered by the Honourable Court.

“However, our plea was rejected. Deliberately refusing and neglecting the order of the Honourable Tribunal leaves the fate of democracy hanging in the balance,” she said.