Court upholds APC’s Senator Gobir election, dismisses PDP petition

The National and State Assemblies Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Sokoto, on Tuesday dismissed the petition brought before it by the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Salihu Maidaji, against Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, representing Sokoto East Senatorial District.

Maidaji, who is also the immediate past speaker of the State House of Assembly challenged the declaration of Gobir by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the winner of the election conducted on 23rd of February, 2019.

He alleged that Gobir was not qualified as at the time of the conduct of the election, having tendered forged certificates.

He has also alleged that Gobir was not duly elected, as he has not scored the majority of lawful votes cast, while there was substantial non-compliance with the Electoral laws.

ALSO READ:  Christians, Muslims end 40 days prayer and fasting for Nigeria

Gobir insisted that he was qualified to contest the poll, while the election was not conducted in breach of any electoral law.

In it’s considered judgement, the Tribunal struck out the petition for abandonment, dismissed it for being statute barred and finally declared that it lacked merit.

Meanwhile, the Tribunal has adjourned for judgments, in the two State Assembly petitions to a date to be announced later.

The petitions include that of Sokoto North I Constituency brought by APC & Hon. Malami Mohammed Galadanchi, against the election of PDP & Hon Halliru Buhari.

The second one was that brought by the defeated candidate of the PDP in Dange /Shuni Constituency, Hon Tukur Mohammed, against the election of APC’s Hon. Aminu Magaji Bodai.

All the Counsels in the two cases had earlier adopted their final written addresses and replies on points of law.