Borno South: PDP asks court to order INEC conduct fresh election

The PDP candidate for Borno South senatorial zone, Malam Kudla Satumari, Tuesday prayed the Borno National and state Houses of Assembly elections petition tribunal, to order INEC to conduct fresh elections.

Satumari, is challenging the declaration of Senator Mohammed Ndume of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the Borno South senatorial district conducted on February 23.

Satumari also joined as respondents in the petition the APC and INEC.

The tribunal sitting in Nyanya, Abuja began hearing in the petition filed by Satumari.

Satumari averred that the election was marred by corrupt practices and non- compliance with provision of the Electoral Act.

He, therefore, sought the order of the tribunal for cancellation of the election and for INEC to conduct fresh election for the senatorial district within 90 days.

Responding, Ndume in his reply denied the allegations in most of the paragraphs of the petition.

In his reply filed on April 10, he averred that the said Borno south senatorial election was free and fair and not fraught with irregularities and non- compliance with the electoral act.

Ndume denied the allegations and averrment contained in the petition and demanded the petitioners for strict proof in accordance with the law to the extent of their materiality to the petition.

Instead, he averred to proof during trial that the petition was defective, incompetent for the compliance of the electoral act.

Counsel for the petitioners Mr Haruna Kyelek had informed the panel that he was in possession of INEC documents and sought to tender them.

But counsel for Ndume Mr Maxwell Oru told the panel that he has been served with the list of the schedule of documents and would reserve objections till final addresses.

Also, Prof Wahab Egbewole, counsel for the APC agreed with Oru while Oluwafemi Ademola, counsel for the INEC, also that he had been served and would reserve objections if any till final addresses.

The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Peter Kekemeke, adjourned until today. (NAN)

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