Tribunal Upholds El-Rufai’s Election

El-rufaiThe Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna on Thursday night upheld the April 11 election victory of Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai as Governor of Kaduna State.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice A. A. Adebara, in a judgment that last over six-hours, dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Polycarp Danladi, on the ground that it lacks merits and facts to establish non-compliance.

Mr. Danladi had petitioned the tribunal challenging the election that brought in Mr. El-Rufai of the All Progressives Congress as governor of the state.

The petitioner approached the tribunal to nullify the election and order a fresh election, arguing that his name was not captured in the form EC 8A and that the election was characterized by over-voting and not conducted in compliance with the electoral act.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment was delivered, counsel to Governor El-Rufai, Omokayode Adebayo Dada, said the APGA candidate, if not satisfied by the judgment, can head to the Appeal Court.

However, the counsel to the petitioner, Olumuyiwa Olowookore, said there were still appealable issues but that he would have to consult his client on the way forward.

“There is a lot of invalid things been done at the moment and INEC needs to get on top of these issues but they are definitely not on top of the issues”, he said.

“So for us, there are still issues that arise from this judgment but whether my client will appeal or not depends on the outcome of consultations.

“There are appealable issues but the decision of the appeal goes to the client. And when I say there are appealable issues, I am saying the judgment can be tested”.