House of reps tussel: Court dismisses Ganduje’s son petition, affirms Jobe’s victory
Victory
Kano, The Kano National/State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, on Tuesday, dismissed the petition filed by Umar Ganduje,of APC and upheld Abdulkadir Jobe, of NNPP, as duly elected member representing Rimin Gado,Dawakin Tofa and Tofa Federal House of Representatives Constituency.
NAN reports that the petitioner Umar Ganduje of APC,(the son of the former Governor of Kano, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje) filed a petition challenging the victory of Abdulkadir-Jobe of NNPP, as member representing Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa and Tofa Constituency election conducted on Feb.25, 2023.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulkadir Jobe of New Nigeria People’s Party polled 52, 457 votes against Umar of All Progressive Congress who scored 44,809 votes.
The respondents are: INEC, NNPP, and Abdulkadir-Jobe.
Delivering the judgement, the three-man panel led by Justice I P Chima, dismissed the petition for lacking merit.
“The petitioner failed to present sufficient evidence to support the petition.
“The election of Jobe is here by affirm” Chima said
Chima also ordered the petitioner to pay the respondents the sum of N200,000 each as cost.
Earlier, Counsel to the Petitioner, Mr Abdulgafar Murtala, urged the court to declare Umar as the winner and set aside INEC declaration that announced Jobe as the winner of Feb.25, election.
He alleged that the Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa and Tofa Constituency election was marred with irregularities,over voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Counsel to NNPP, Ibrahim wangida and Counsel to Jobe, Mr Auwal Sani, urged the court to dismiss the petition, adding that the election was conducted in accordance with the 2022 electoral act.
