By Timothy Nwachi
A three-member panel, led by Justice Agada Okeke, made a unanimous decision on Monday to dismiss the petition filed by Surajo Muhammad Kantoga of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision affirmed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as the duly elected representative for the Birnin Kudu constituency.
Kantoga had previously requested the tribunal to invalidate the Certificate of Return awarded to the PDP candidate and declare him the victor of the March 18 election.
The petitioners claimed that the PDP candidate was not qualified to compete in the election, and the election did not adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Justice Agada explained that the petitioners did not provide sufficient evidence to support their claims of irregularities. As a result, the petition was dismissed due to a lack of merit.
The defendant’s counsel, Laminu Bala, expressed contentment with the tribunal’s decision.
On the other hand, the petitioner’s counsel, Abdurrahman Muktar, stated that they would review the judgment and decide on their next course of action.