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Atiku, PDP Insist Results were Transmitted Electronically, Dismiss INEC’s Denials, Demand Access to Server, Results

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The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the February 23 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have filed a fresh application for access to information contained in the smart card readers and “central server”, which it said the Independent National Electoral Commission used for the conduct of the disputed election.

They filed the application before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, where their petition challenging President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress’ victory at the poll is pending.

The petitioners, through their lead counsel, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), made the request in their application filed before the tribunal, despite INEC’s insistence that the results of the election were manually collated and never transmitted electronically.

Uzochukwu, in a chat with SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday, confirmed that the application was filed on May 9, adding that the respondents – INEC, Buhari and APC – had yet to file their replies to it.

INEC had declared that Buhari and APC the won the February 23 election with 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku who polled 11,262,978 votes.

But Atiku and the PDP, in their petition filed on March 18 to challenge the outcome of the poll, stated that “from the data” they obtained from INEC’s server, “the true, actual and correct results” showed that they polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat Buhari whom they said scored 16,741,430 votes.

By calculation, Atiku and PDP claimed to have defeated Buhari by 1,615,302 votes. However, in its reply filed on April 10 to counter the petition, INEC urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, insisting that the petitioners’ claims were false.

It said, through its lead counsel, Yunus Usman (SAN), that it collated the results of the election manually and never transmitted them electronically.

However, the petitioners, in their fresh application, maintained that INEC kept “central servers” in which “information was recorded and stored in database packets relating to accreditation of voters and transmission of results from the presidential election”.

They sought to be permitted to inspect the said servers and the card readers used for the conduct of the poll, examine and analyse the information obtained from them.

They also prayed for the tribunal’s permission to be allowed to file a report of their inspection, examination and analysis of the content of the facilities.

Their written address filed in support of the application read in part, “This motion is brought pursuant to Section 151 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), Section 71 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), Paragraphs 18 (7) (e), 41 (5) and (6), 47 (2) & 54 of the First Schedule to Electoral Act, 2010, (as amended), Section 6 (6) (b) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.

“The motion prays for the following orders as expressed on the face of the motion paper, namely:

“An order allowing access or a court-supervised access and inspection by the Petitioners, in the presence of the 2nd and 3rd respondents (Buhari and APC) if they so desire, of the 1st respondent’s (INEC’s) central servers wherein information was recorded and stored in database packets relating to accreditation of voters and transmission of results from the Presidential election, the subject-matter of this petition.

“An order directing the 1st respondent’s Chief National Electoral Commissioner and/or other officers to grant the petitioners access to the said database packets in the 1st respondent’s central servers.

“An order granting leave to the petitioners to inspect and obtain certified true copies of Smart Card Reader accreditation data from the Smart Card Readers used in the said election and stored in the 1st respondent’s servers.

“An order granting leave to the petitioners to file a report of the inspection, examination and analysis thereof at the trial.”

The applicants filed 13 grounds to back their application and their claims in it.

Part of the grounds of the application acknowledged that INEC as well as the two other respondents to the petition — Buhari and APC — had contradicted their claim about the electronic transmission of results to the server.

But they insisted INEC was constitutionally and statutorily vested with the responsibility to conduct and manage the presidential election and set up electronic data central servers.

They stated, “The 1st respondent, as the body constitutionally and statutorily vested with the responsibility to conduct and manage the presidential election, set up electronic data central servers for the purposes of storage of transmitted accreditation data and results from smart card readers deployed for the election in an apparent bid to ensure relative transparency of the process.

“The respondents have, in their replies, joined issues with the petitioners in respect of the said data transmitted to the INEC’s central servers.”

But they said, “The Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) itself acknowledges network data by recognition given to the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission in section 71 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). We also submit that section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011 recognises computer data, and evidence generated therefrom.

“Thus, the general framework of the law accommodates such data retrievable from computers, of which a server is a storage component.”

Maintaining that INEC deployed the servers for the conduct of the February 23 poll, they said as part of the grounds of their application, “the results of the election were electronically transmitted to the 1st respondent’s Central Server”.

They added that notice had given INEC “notice that reliance will be placed on the extract of the electronic data from the said Central Server as at February 25, 2019”.

They added, “The data from the said central server is very material and relevant for the just determination of this petition.

“The petitioners require the data from the said central servers to maintain this petition.

“The petitioners also require the extract of the data from the smart card readers for the maintenance of the petition.

“The smart card readers were used at the said election for verification, accreditation, and authentication of voters and for the transmission of results to the 1st respondent’s servers.”

They added, “It will work tremendous hardship and grave injustice to refuse access to the contents of the central server that will assist the honourable court in the just consideration and determination of the issues involved in this matter or to allow a Party suppress or withhold access thereto.”

The Punch – Olusola Fabiyi  and Ade Adesomoju

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Stakeholders Tackle Moral Decadence at Ikorodu School Summit & Awards 2.0

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The Homat Megalite Event Centre, Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu, was filled to capacity penultimate Friday as Bottomline Media hosted the 2nd edition of the Ikorodu School Summit & Awards

With the theme, “Combating the Menace of Poor Orientation and Moral Decadence in Society,” the summit brought together students, teachers, school owners, parents, faith leaders, and security chiefs for a day of truth-telling, awards, and renewed commitment to rebuilding values in the society.

Supported by Education District II and LASUBEB, the summit has quickly become one of Ikorodu’s most important platforms for education, character, and community security.

The event recorded a strong presence from Nigeria’s security institutions. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Taiwo, was represented by the Area N Area Commander, Ijede, with the DPO, Igbogbo Police Station, CSP Akinola Clement who deployed full police security for summit also in attendance.

Speaking on behalf of the CP, the Area Commander commended Bottomline Media for the initiative and said there is an urgent need to “start early in educating the younger ones on moral uprightness.”

“An intelligent student without purpose and character will become an intelligent criminal,” he warned. He challenged society to pay more attention to values than to criminal success. “We celebrate criminal success at the expense of values. That must change if we want a safer Nigeria.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ikorodu Area Command, led by DCN Jonax David, delivered a hard-hitting lecture on the dangers of illegal and abusive drugs. The agency linked drug abuse directly to moral decadence and rising crime rates across the country.

NDLEA called on parents, schools, religious leaders, and teachers to do more in prevention and early intervention. The session left students asking questions and teachers requesting follow-up sensitization in schools.

Guest Speaker, Pastor Lanre Temenu, Pastor, Chapel of Transfiguration, COT Solution Centre, LASUTECH, anchored the moral conversation. His message on discipline, purpose, and right orientation resonated with audience who filled the hall from various discipline.

Dr. Henry Obidi anchored the programme with professionalism and energy, ensuring the day ran seamlessly from opening to the final award.

Proprietor of Homat Schools, Alhaji Olawale Amusa, hosted the summit at the Homat Megalite Event Centre, providing the venue that made the large turnout possible.

The awards segment was the emotional high point. Seven Prominent individuals and institutions were honoured and received a full 60-second standing ovation from the audience.

60-Second Standing Ovation Honorees
1. CP Fatai Tijani: Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command
2. Lagos State Ministry of Education
3. Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy
4. Femi Falana, SAN , Legal luminary
5. Hon. Jimi Benson Member, House of Representatives, Ikorodu Federal Constituency
6. Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, Senator, Lagos East Senatorial District
7. Ikorodu Division Peace & Security Initiative, Ikorodu

Champion of Moral Excellence & Societal Values Award
1. Lawrence Obilana: Proprietor, Meaning Resources School
2. Owenaze Blessing Ella: Managing Director, Unique Prella Schools
3. Pastor Lanre Temenu: Pastor, Chapel of Transfiguration, COT Solution Centre, LASUTECH
4. Princess Mulikat Fehintola Sanni, CEO, Mulifelong Motors

Excellence Recognition Award
Hon. Deen Sanwola, Mrs. Eyitayo Mojisola Olawunmi, Alhaji Taiwo Abiodun Odumbo, Dr. Henry Obidi, Alhaji Olawale Amusa.

Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu: Executive Chairman, LASUBEB, Mr. Adesegun Ogundeji – Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Dr. Bishop Joseph Edoro, Mr. Omotayo Layemo Sanni – Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Hon. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, DCN Jonax David – Area Commander, NDLEA Ikorodu, and Engr. Mukadas Opeodu.

Education & School Excellence Awards
1. Miss Oyebode Sekinat Kofoworola, Civil Service Senior Model College, Igbogbo – _Outstanding Teacher of the Year_
2. Government Senior Model College, Owutu – _Outstanding Secondary School in Output_
3. Miss Alabi Taiwo Patience, Ikorodu Junior Grammar School – _Best Innovative School_
4. Lagos State Girls Junior Model College, Agunfoye – _Outstanding School with Best Learning Environment_
5. Mrs. Bolanle Moronkola Esho, Lagos State Civil Service Junior Model College, Igbogbo – _Best Education Administrator_

From the packed hall to the interactive Q&A, the summit achieved its goal: to confront poor orientation head-on and equip the next generation with character to match their intelligence.

Arthur Igbolaju Richard, Convener, Ikorodu School Summit & Awards 2.0 and CEO, Bottomline Media, said the goal is to make the summit an annual movement. “When students hear from the Police, NDLEA, Lawyers, teachers, and faith leaders in one room, the message is clear: society is watching, and society cares. We will keep building this table.”

With Education District II, LASUBEB, NDLEA, and the Nigeria Police on board, Ikorodu School Summit & Awards 2.0 ends as more than an event. It ends as a call to action.

#IkoroduSummit2.0 #ValuesFirst #BottomlineMedia

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Wema Bank Unveils ‘The Evolution’ As New Jingle for ALAT

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Wema Bank has introduced a new jingle to mark the next phase of its digital banking journey, tagged the ALAT: The Evolution jingle. Designed to capture the energy of a smarter and more seamless banking experience, the jingle is bright, catchy, and full of life. It reflects a platform built to simply work, pairing sound with innovation as ALAT: The Evolution steps forward with enhanced features and a refreshed user experience.

Everyday banking can often feel routine or even stressful, with multiple steps and delays slowing things down. The ALAT: The Evolution jingle reimagines that experience with a lively and confident tone that mirrors the app’s capabilities. From voice banking with SAW to Tap and Pay and bank uptime prediction, each feature is echoed in the rhythm and flow of the sound. It brings to life the speed, convenience, and reliability that define this new phase of ALAT: The Evolution.

 

More than just music, the ALAT: The Evolution jingle represents a clear statement of intent. It signals a shift towards banking that feels natural, responsive, and in tune with the user. As customers update their app and explore ALAT: The Evolution, the jingle serves as a reminder that a better, smoother way to bank is already here. Wema Bank is not just evolving its technology; it is shaping how banking feels.

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Commitment to Cultural Heritage in Focus As Adron Homes Sponsors 39th Lisabi Festival

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Adron Homes and Properties Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and fostering community development through its sponsorship of the 39th edition of the Lisabi Festival, one of the most revered cultural celebrations of the Egba people.

Held under the distinguished leadership of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the festival remains a symbolic institution that celebrates the unity, resilience, and historical legacy of Egbaland. It pays tribute to the legendary warrior Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, whose courage and leadership united the Egba people and secured their freedom.

Through this strategic sponsorship, Adron Homes and Properties Limited continues to position itself not only as a leading real estate developer but also as a custodian of culture and a partner in sustaining the traditions that shape communities across Nigeria.

Speaking on the importance of the festival, Oba Gbadebo emphasized that Lisabi serves as a vital platform for preserving the Egba people’s values, traditions, and identity, while inspiring younger generations to remain connected to their cultural roots.

For Adron Homes, the partnership reflects a deliberate alignment with the socio-cultural aspirations of Egbaland. By supporting the festival, the company is contributing meaningfully to the preservation of indigenous heritage, the promotion of unity, and the celebration of a people whose influence continues to shape the cultural landscape of Abeokuta and beyond.

Notably, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State is also home to key Adron Homes developments, including the prestigious Adron Homes Sunrise Park and Gardens located in Alabata, and Southgate Park and Gardens Estate in Alamala. These flagship estates further reinforce the company’s deep-rooted presence and long-term investment in the socio-economic growth of the region.

The 2026 edition of the Lisabi Festival, themed “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges,” highlights the intersection between tradition and modern development, an area where Adron Homes continues to make an impact through its community-driven initiatives.

The festival will feature a vibrant lineup of cultural and social activities, including the iconic Woro procession, traditional rites, arts and crafts exhibitions, educational programmes, and community engagements, all reflecting the richness of Egba heritage.

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