Tribunal Reserves Judgment In Sokoto Governorship Tussle

The Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition filed against the state governor Ahmed Aliyu and his deputy Idris Gobir, filed by Sa’idu Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Haruna Mshelia, reserved judgment after the parties adopted their final written addresses on Saturday, adding that a date would be communicated to the parties in September.

The Petitioner, Umar is challenging the election of Gov. Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gobir over alleged non-qualification and electoral fraud during the March 18 governorship election.

At the sitting, lead Counsel to the petitioner, Aare Akinboro SAN, urged the Tribunal to consider the evidence and witnesses from party agents that proved gross irregularities in the election, mostly marred by violence.

Akinboro argued that more importantly, the evidence showed the discrepancy in Gov. Aliyu’s secondary school and university certificates different from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented documents.

He prayed the tribunal to take cognisance of the School Register of Town Primary School, Sabon Birni, from 1986-1987 and a letter from Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

He highlighted that records of all the registered schools in Sabon Birni Local Government from the Federal Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Local Government Education Authority and other related exhibits should be perused.

He added that none of the government agencies had records of the existence of Model Primary School as stated by Gobir to be the school that issued him a primary certificate.

Read Also: Sokoto Election Tribunal admits evidence against Governor, Deputy

Akinboro argued that the petitioners had successfully established facts in proof of all the grounds as 32 competent witnesses that comprised INEC officials, State PDP chairman, headmaster of the Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni, and others were presented and admitted.

He further urged the tribunal to dismiss all the preliminary objections on competency to institute the case.

He also urged the tribunal to disregard objections on the admissibility of documents tendered as they were relevant and germane.

 

The petitioners’ counsel said based on the submissions, the respondents at the time of the election, were not qualified to contest the election and prayed that by virtue of the non-qualification, votes were wrongfully attributed to them.

According to him, the respondents abandoned facts as they presented two defence witnesses who were unable to counter or prove otherwise the facts presented by the 32 witnesses and the bundle of evidence.

He prayed the tribunal to void Gov. Aliyu’s election and declare Umar the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

The petitioners also prayed the tribunal to mandate INEC to issue a new certificate of return to the petitioner as the duly elected Governor of Sokoto State, having scored the majority of the lawful votes cast or order for another election, excluding the respondents.

Petition dismissal

The respondent’s counsel, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, also adopted their final written addresses. While disagreeing with the arguments, he urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

Olanipekun averred that the relevant documents and right witnesses have been presented along guiding laws.

The respondents prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition and uphold the election of Gov. Aliyu and Gobir.

 

 

 

 

NAN