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Tag: Tribunal

  • BREAKING: Tribunal upholds Mbah’s election victory

    BREAKING: Tribunal upholds Mbah’s election victory

    The Enugu State Governorship Election Tribunal has upheld the election of Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the March 18, governorship election in the state.

    The tribunal chaired by Justice Kudirat Murayo Akano also struck out Edeoga/Labour Party’s allegations of over-voting and bypassing of BVAS in the election.

    The court ruled that Mbah was duly elected as governor by the majority of lawful and valid votes cast at the election.

    The tribunal had earlier dismissed the allegation of Edeoga/LP that Governor Peter Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was forged.

    Read Also: Mbah vows to realise founding fathers’ dreams

    It held that Mbah did not submit his NYSC certificate to INEC to support his qualification to contest for the office of governor, since he was already qualified without an NYSC certificate.

    The tribunal further rejected Edeoga’s witnesses and ruled that the LP governorship candidate did not present any admissible evidence to prove that Mbah’s certificate was forged.

    Earlier, the tribunal also dismissed the petition of Chris Agu of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) against Mbah over a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, non-qualification, and corruption against the governor.

    The tribunal ruled that the petitioner failed to provide evidence to support their claim that a forged NYSC certificate was submitted to the INEC, adding that the issue is not contained in their affidavit.

    It also held that to prove the issue of forgery, the petitioner must provide the original certificate and the forged one, adding that the panel also resolved the issue that Mbah was not elected by a majority of votes cast against the petitioner.

    The panel averred that witnesses called by the petitioners could not specify the polling units where the elections did not hold nor the results of same.

    It further held that the petitioner failed to prove that the Mbah did not possess the minimum requirement to stand for election which is a school certificate or its equivalent, saying that there was no evidence to support the claim that Mbah was not qualified to stand for the election.

    On the issue of the plea bargain by Mbah, the tribunal averred that the exhibits presented by the petitioners did not show any plea bargain by the respondent.

    The court said there was evidence presented by Mbah to the effect that he was acquitted of the charges.

  • BREAKING: Tribunal sacks Kano Gov Yusuf, declares APC’s Gawuna winner

    BREAKING: Tribunal sacks Kano Gov Yusuf, declares APC’s Gawuna winner

    The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the governor of Kano state, declaring the All Progressives Congress winner of the March 18 election.

    Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Read Also: JUST IN: Tribunal to deliver judgment on Kano guber via zoom

    The three-man panel on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return which INEC presented to Governor Yusuf and directed a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna.

    The court deducted 165,663 votes from Gov Yusuf’s total as invalid votes, stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid.

    Details shortly…

  • JUST IN: Tribunal to deliver judgment on Kano guber via zoom

    JUST IN: Tribunal to deliver judgment on Kano guber via zoom

    The Kano state governorship election tribunal is poised to deliver judgement on the case filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its candidate Yusuf Ganuwa, to overturn the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

    However, the three-member panel of judges are not physically present in the courtroom and would deliver the judgment via Zoom.

    Read Also: Anxiety in Enugu as tribunal delivers judgment on guber poll Thursday

    Journalists, lawyers, party members, and many others were denied access to the court.

    When the proceedings commenced before 10, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, Chairman of the three-member panel, spoke via Zoom.

    Details shortly…

  • Tribunal sacks 26 Reps, five senators

    Tribunal sacks 26 Reps, five senators

    • PDP, LP biggest losers •Losers go on appeal

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunals across the country have upturned the election victories of 25 House of Representatives members and five senators.

     While the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the biggest beneficiary of the verdicts delivered by the various tribunals for the House of Representatives seats, the party has lost more senatorial seats than any other party so far. 

    But all those who lost their seats have hinted that they would appeal the judgments.

     The ruling party has had its victories in Kogi East and Kogi Central senatorial districts upturned by the tribunal.

     It has also had its election victories in Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts upturned.

     The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had its election victory in Plateau South nullified.

     The tribunal also ordered supplementary elections in some polling units in Kogi East, Delta South and Delta Central senatorial districts.

     At the time of this report, not less than 26 members of the House of Representatives have had their elections upturned by the tribunals, but one of them has been reversed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

     The PDP has lost 12 members in the House and it is closely followed by the Labour Party (LP) with 10 members, while the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the APC have lost three and one members.

    Read Also: Tribunal affirms election of Kano NNPP lawmaker

     Lawmakers that have been sacked so far include Umar Yusuf Datti (NNPP, Kano), Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia), Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa), Ngozi Okolie (LP, Delta, but  the verdict has been upturned by the Appeal Court), Umar Yerima (NNPP, Kano) and Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo).

     Others are: Chijoke Okereke (LP, Enugu), Paul Nnamchi (LP, Enugu), Seyi Sowunmi (LP, Lagos), Aminu Chindo (PDP, Katsina), Ismail Dalha (PDP, Katsina), Peter Gyendeng (PDP, Plateau), Munachim Alozie (LP, Abia) and Ibe Osunwa (LP, Abia).

     The rest are: Francis Waive (APC, Delta), Joshua Gana (PDP, Niger), Emeka Nnamani (LP, Abia), Jonathan Ukodhiko (PDP, Delta), Idris Dankawa (NNPP, Kano), Adamu Yakubu (PDP, Jigawa), Thaddeus Atta (LP, Lagos), Dachung Musa Bagos (PDP, Plateau), Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau), Sunday Umeha (LP, Enugu), Mohammed Jamilu (PDP, Katsina) and Iliyasu Abubakar (PDP, Katsina).

     In nullifying the elections, the tribunals ordered rerun/supplementary elections in nine federal constituencies.

     The APC is the biggest gainer in the nullification of the election victories with nine federal constituencies going to the ruling party.

     The PDP, which initially got five constituencies, had the number reduced when the Appeal Court upturned the nullification of the LP candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in Delta State, while the LP and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) got two and one seats.

     The Nation findings revealed that not less than 16 of the members sacked by the Tribunal are either Chairmen or Vice Chairmen of the House standing committees constituted by the Speaker before the House went on break.

     The tribunals have sacked the chairman and vice chairman of two committees (Science Research Institutions and Science and Technology).

     They are: Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau) and Chijoke Okereke (LP, Enugu) for Science Research Institutions, as well as Dachung Musa Bagos (PDP, Plateau) and Jonathan Ukhodiko (PDP, Delta) for Science and Technology.

     Other chairmen affected by the tribunals’ judgments are: Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia) for HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) for FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters; Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) for Petroleum Downstream; Aminu Chindo (PDP, Katsina) for Interior and Francis Waive (APC, Delta) for Rules and Business.

     The vice chairmen affected by the tribunal verdicts are: Sunday Umeha (LP, Enugu) for Justice; Idris Dankawu (NNPP, Kano) for Drugs and Narcotics; Ibe Osunwa (LP, Abia) for FCT Judiciary; Seyi Sowunmi (LP, Lagos) for Local Content; Joshua Gana (PDP, Niger) for Power; Adamu Yakubu (PDP, Jigawa) and Mohammed Jamilu (PDP, Katsina). 

    Also, the Supreme Court has invalidated the election of Nazifi Bello Yusuf (PDP, Katsina) in a pre-election matter.

     It returned Salisu Yusuf Majigiri as the duly elected candidate of the party for the Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency of Katsina State.

     The Supreme Court ruled that Yusuf’s petition against the nomination of Majigiri as the candidate of the PDP was filed out of time.

    Nazifi Bello Yusuf was appointed by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values.  

  • Tribunal affirms election of Kano NNPP lawmaker

    Tribunal affirms election of Kano NNPP lawmaker

    The National/State House of Assembly election tribunal, on Monday, affirmed the election of Mudassir Zawachiki of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as lawmaker representing Kumbotso Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly.

    In their unanimous judgement, the three-man panel, led by Justice L. B. Owolabi, dismissed the petition of Sagir Abdulkadir-Panshekara of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the victory of Zawachiki in the March 18, 2023.

    He said the petitioner’s case lacked merit and did not prove the case of over voting, violence and certificate forgery beyond reasonable doubt.

    Read Also: NNPP chief hails INEC on party ownership

    “The petitioner failed to prove non-compliance with the 2022 electoral act and other irregularities.

    “Reacting, Zawachiki told newsmen shortly after his victory, “I thank almighty God the truth have prevailed. I will continue to do my best to justify the confidence reposed in me.” (NAN)

  • I will appeal tribunal’s judgement, Solomon Lar’s daughter vows

    I will appeal tribunal’s judgement, Solomon Lar’s daughter vows

    Beni Lar, daughter of a former PDP national chairman, Solomon Lar, has vowed to reclaim her seat which was invalidated by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau state capital. 

    Lar, who won reelection to represent Langtang North/ Langtang South Federal condtituency of Plateau state, had her election annulled on the ground that she was not validly nominated. 

    While describing the judgement up turning her election as rediculous, Lar expressed confidence that the judgement will be over turned.

    She said: “I believe that the Judiciary shall acquit itself from this obvious misapplication of the law. 

    “The Tribunal, whilst upholding the argument of the petitioner held that my nomination and candidacy was invalidly sponsored by my party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) thus upturning my victory. Several questions thus beg for answers.

    “The election which held on the 25th February, 2023,  was contested by several parties, the top 3 candidates from the PDP, APC and SDP respectively amongst which were, my humble self with a land sliding victory by 42, 008 votes, defeating the APC’s Vincent Bulus who gained about 21,345 votes and the SDP’s Solomon Dalung with 3,369 votes.

    “The popular question thus on everybody’s mind is whether the PDP has complied with Hon. Justice SP Gang’s order to validly clothe the party with the structure and competence to support its candidates ahead of the 2023 elections. 

    “The answer is in the affirmative and evident by the successful congresses held and the elections of Executives’ members of the party conducted by the National Working Committee at the PDP headquarters, held in 2021.  

    “In line with compliance, INEC issued the certificate of compliance to this effect.These same congresses were affirmed by the federal High Court Jos in a judgment delivered by Hon Justice D. V . Agishi in the case of Augustine Timkuk vs PDP validating the State Executive of the Party as duly elected and this same judgment was also unanimously affirmed by the Court of Appeal Jos in favour of the PDP.

    “Therefore, the argument as to the structure of the PDP in plateau state has never been in doubt. Moreover, it is an abnormaly and gross meddling by the Petitioners (APC) to even hinge the weight of their petition on the structure of PDP which is an internal affair of the PDP and exclusive to it alone. 

    “The supreme court in a plethora of decisions have held thus and even recently the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal also held that “Nomination and qualification of candidate in an election is a pre-election matter and only an aspirant that contested the Primaries can challenge the nomination of a candidate and that must be done within 14 days from the date of the elections and no political party can do that”. 

    “Section 285 (9) of the 1999 Constitution prescribes the timeline for filing pre-election matters as 14 days. In similar light, section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, 2022 also states that every pre-election matter shall be filed not later than 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained of in the suit. 

    Read Also: Tribunal orders re-run Assembly election for Saki West Constituency in Oyo State

    “The Supreme Court has further solidified this position in a plethora of decisions. The case of Lokpobiri v APC & ors, is very instructive. This is assuming but not conceding that there is any ground to challenge my candidacy at the primaries.

    “The decision therefore by his Lordship, Justice Mohammed Tukur, is an aberration  and gross  departure from the Law. It is a clear case of miscarriage of justice and an abuse of the judicial system of precedence. It holds no substance and must be condemned on all fronts. 

    “It is rather ridiculous that the ruling of his Lordship is grossly contradictory to that of it’s counterpart panel 2 on the same issue. Same matter, same parties, same state, but different decisions from courts of Coordinate jurisdiction. This is unimaginable.”

  • Tribunal orders re-run Assembly election for Saki West Constituency in Oyo State

    Tribunal orders re-run Assembly election for Saki West Constituency in Oyo State

    The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Oyo State ordered a re-run election for Saki West state constituency on Thursday in Ibadan.

    INEC had earlier declared Mr Shittu Ibrahim of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election held on March 18.

    It declared that Ibrahim scored 13,692 votes to defeat the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Julius Okedoyin, who scored 13,422 votes.

    Dissatisfied with the declaration, Okedoyin and the PDP headed to the tribunal alleging over-voting, irregularity and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

    Delivering a unanimous ruling of the three-man panel, its chairman, Justice Jubril Anaja, held that the petition had merit and that the petitioners proved their allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

    Anaja ruled that the cancellation of results from Ward 6 Unit 7 and Ward 11 Unit 19 of the constituency with 1,285 voter cards collected, could substantially affect the outcome of the election.

    The tribunal noted that whereas the declared winner led the petitioner by 270 votes in Ward 6, Unit 7 and Ward 11, Unit 19, the number of voters disenfranchised was more than 1,000.

    It held that the more than 1,000 voters disenfranchised by INEC in the affected wards might have over-turned the result if they were allowed to vote.

    Read Also: Activists seek probe of Plateau election tribunal verdict 

    “The certificate of return issued to the first respondent (Ibrahim) by INEC is hereby set aside pending the re-run election to determine the winner of the election for Saki West constituency.

    “INEC is hereby ordered to conduct a re-run election in Ward 6, Unit 7 and Ward 11, unit 19 within 90 days,’’ Anaja declared.

    Reacting, Ibrahim’s counsel, Mr Sikiru Adewoye, said his client would appeal against the judgment of the tribunal.

    Conversely, the petitioners’ counsel, Mr Yusuf Ogunrinde, commended the tribunal. (NAN)

  • Tribunal: Tension in Nasarawa over alleged plan by PDP to disrupt sitting

    Tribunal: Tension in Nasarawa over alleged plan by PDP to disrupt sitting

    There is serious tension in the state ahead of the adoption of a written address on Thursday, September 14, in a case file by the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election, David Umbugadu, challenging the re-election of Governor Sule.

    The special adviser to Governor Abdullahi Sule on political matters, Kassim Muh’d Kassim in a statement on Wednesday, September 13, accused the PDP of planning to disrupt proceedings of the Tribunal so that it will be moved to Abuja.

    He called on police and other security agencies to beep up enough security at the venue of the tribunal to maintain law and order during the sitting

    The statement read: “Once again, my office has been alerted to alleged plans by some unscrupulous PDP members to cause mischief and disrupt the governorship election petition tribunal in Lafia”

    “These individuals claim to be APC supporters and plan to organize crises in order to prevent the tribunal from hearing closing arguments by parties involved in the case”

    “The aim of these planners, as ongoing information suggests, is to make it difficult for the tribunal to sit and hear the closing arguments of the counsels. It has been rumoured that these plans are being hatched in the house of a prominent PDP leader in the Ola Akwanga local government area”

    Read Also: Abia LP Reps candidate heads to Appeal Court after defeat at Tribunal

    “As a responsible government, we call on security agencies, including the police and civil defence, to take necessary steps to prevent any untoward events on Thursday, September 14th in Lafia”

    “We also urge individuals who may be planning or supporting these acts to be aware that Nasarawa state is peaceful and united, and it will remain so even after these events”

    “Their plot seems to be a result of their anticipation of losing and their lack of a viable explanation for their sponsors. Their intention is to see whether the tribunal holding in Lafia can be shifted to Abuja, for reasons known only to them.

    “Therefore, I urge our supporters, citizens, and well-wishers of our party to be vigilant and promptly report to the authorities any persons who may be plotting to cause any mayhem.”

  • Dafinone rejects Tribunal verdict, says no cause for alarm

    Dafinone rejects Tribunal verdict, says no cause for alarm

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has rejected the judgment of the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting at Asaba nullifying his election.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, while reacting to the verdict of the tribunal, said that while he respects the ruling of the tribunal, he has directed his legal team to appeal the tribunal judgment.

     The tribunal led by Justice W. I. Kpochi, while delivering its judgment in a petition marked EPT/DT/Sen/2023 filed by the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ighoyota Amori, dismissed some of his prayers for lack of merit.

    The tribunal, however, nullified the return made by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC  25th February 2023 and ordered a supplementary election within 90 days in only 23 polling units, out of the 2,180 units in the district.

    Tribunal also held that the prayer of Amori seeking the relief of the tribunal to declare  the victory of Senator Ede Dafinone as null, void and of no consequence, as well as, alternative prayer that he should be declared the winner of the senatorial election could not stand or be granted for lack of merit.

    Read Also: Dafinone commiserates with Seplat over oil rig mishap

    The affected polling units where the Tribunal declared rerun are in Sapele, Okpe, Udu and Ughelli North LGAs.

    Dafinone in a statement said: “The National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting at Asaba today nullified my return as the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial Election of 25 February 2023 and ordered a supplementary election within 90 days in only 23 polling units, out of the 2,180 units in the district.

    “While I respect the ruling of the tribunal, I do not accept its decision. I have therefore directed my legal team to appeal the judgement immediately. 

    “Like we promised during our campaign to defend our votes, we shall fulfill our promise by defending the mandate which the people of Delta Central freely gave to us. 

    “It is instructive to note that despite the cancellation of the affected units, we are still having an insurmountable lead over our closet opponent.

    “As a consequence, we are not perturbed by today’s momentary setback which we shall surely overcome.

    “We, therefore, urge our party faithful, supporters, and the great people of Delta Central to remain calm and steadfast, because this also shall end in Praise!”

  • Tribunal sacks two PDP Reps members in Plateau

    Tribunal sacks two PDP Reps members in Plateau

    Hon. Justice Mohammed Tukur led Panel 1 of the National and State Houses of Assembly Plateau Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos on Tuesday upturned the election of Hon. Beni Lar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as member Langtang North/South Fed constituency. 

    It declared Hon. Vincent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

    The Nation  reports Lar is a fifth-term member of the House of representatives.

    The National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal also nullified the election of a two-term member of the House of Representatives in Plateau State, Dachung Musa Bagos.

    Bagos, who represents Jos South/Jos East Federal constituency, was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). 

    Read Also: Tribunal nullifies LP’s victory in Eti-Osa Federal Constituency

    In nullifying Bagos’s election, the tribunal declared the Labour Party candidate, Ajang Alfred as winner of the poll and ruled the PDP candidate was not validly nominated to contest the poll.

    Bagos is the third PDP candidate whose elections had been nullified in the State by the tribunal.

    The other two were Senator Napoleon Bali, who represents Plateau South and Peter Gyengdeng who represents Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal constituency.