The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Isa Ashiru’s appeal against the refusal of the Kaduna state governorship Petition Tribunal to order for the recount of votes.
Justice Hussaini Muktar, while delivering judgment Thursday, affirmed the orders of the tribunal, refusing to order for a recount of votes.
The tribunal had struck out the petitioners’ request, seeking for a recount of votes cast in the March 9, 2019 governorship election for lack of merit.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Bako who ruled on the motion on May 29, said that the tribunal has a time frame of only 180 days to complete its assignment.
Justice Bako also refused the application for amendment of the motion, seeking to narrow the votes recount to only 12 local government areas of Kaduna state.
Specifically, the petitioners had asked the tribunal to order the votes recount in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Giwa, Zaria, Sabon Gari, Makarfi, Birnin Gwari and Ikara amongst other local government areas.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, PDP and its gubernatorial candidate appealed the verdict at the Court of Appeal, before the Appellate Court upheld the ruling of the Tribunal.
