Tribunals affirm Taraba, Sokoto governors’ elections

Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu

The Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal has affirmed that Lt. Colonel Agbu Kefas (rtd.) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the validly elected governor of the state.

The three man panel of justices of the tribunal said the petition of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and its candidate, Prof. Sani Muhammed Yahaya, challenging Kefas’ election lacked merit and consequently dismissed it.

The NNPP and its candidate had instituted a case against the victory of PDP and Kefas, its candidate in the 18th March governorship election on the ground of corrupt practices, non-compliant to the Electoral Act of 2022, over voting, mutilation of result sheets and alleged violence in polling units.

The court ruled that the petitioner, who claimed to have scored the majority of lawful votes cast, is inconsistent as he is also asking that same election be declared invalid, yet valid to declare him winner.

According to the panel, one cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand.

Counsels to the state governor and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the judgement is a welcome development and see no reason for appeal.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, who was at the court, extended olive branch to the petitioners to bring on board their developmental plans for the state so as to work together towards the progress and development of the state.

In the said election, the PDP and its candidate won in 11 Local Government Areas, the NNPP won three, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) won two.

Jubilant party faithful took to the streets of Jalingo, the state capital, to celebrate the victory of the governor at the tribunal.

In Sokoto State, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the petition of the PDP and its candidate, Hon. Saidu Umar, challenging the victory of the APC and its candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, in the 18th March governorship election in the state.

The tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.