Sokoto Governorship Tribunal: Aliyu, APC lead 2 witnesses to close defence

The Election Petition Tribunal in Sokoto state has on Wednesday adjourned sitting to Aug 26, for the adoption of final addresses as Gov. Ahmad Aliyu and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), led two witnesses to close defense.

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Haruna Mshelia, adjourned the case after the Respondents, Governor Aliyu, his Deputy, Idris Gobir and APC closed their defense against a petition filed by Sa’idu Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Umar, the candidate of the PDP in the 2023 Governorship candidate, had led 32 witnesses to prove their petition and prayed the Tribunal voided Aliyu’s election as well as declared him the winner of March 18, 2023 Governorship election.

At today’s sitting, the Respondents Counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, led APC Assistant Secretary in Sokoto state, Yakubu Maccido and present Headmaster of Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni, Jamilu Yakubu.

Yakubu testified that Gobir attended his school and presented a school register which was admitted as exhibit while Maccido testified that the election had complied with the requirements of law and prayed the Tribunal to discuss the petition.

During cross-examination by Petitioner’s Counsel, led by Dr Garba Tetengi SAN, some documents were tendered through the Headmaster which were earlier admitted in exhibits.

After a series of arguments and presentations, Justice Mshelia ordered parties to file written addresses and adjourned to Aug. 26, for adoption of addresses as required by law.

It was reported that Umar and PDP approached the tribunal demanding the nullification of the March 18, 2023 election that produced Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of APC and his Deputy, Idris Gobir as winners.

In the petition, they alleged that the election was flawed and did not comply with electoral laws.

The petitioners argued that at the time of the election Respondents were not qualified to contest the election and prayed that by virtue of the non-qualification of the Respondents to contest the election, votes were wrongfully attributed to them.

They argued that the said election has become unlawful, null and void.

They further 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 ordered for another election excluding the Respondents.