Sokoto guber election: Tribunal affirms Tambuwal’s victory

The Sokoto state governorship election petitions tribunal Wednesday affirmed that the candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 9 gubernatorial election in the state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal was the winner of that election.

The tribunal sitting in FCT High Court Wuse Zone 2 in Abuja, also ruled as invalid the petition brought by the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), Ahmed Aliyu

The petitioner had challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring the former a winner in the election.

The tribunal unanimously dismissed the objections and held that the petition was properly filed.

The tribunal equally ruled that the petitioners duly paid the filing fees.

It held that against the argument of the respondents that the petition disclosed a substantial cause of action and was properly signed by the petitioners.

It further held that the non-joinder of the running mate to the petitioners is not enough to render the petition incompetent.

Affirming further, Justice Abbas Abdulahi Bawale led tribunal held that the application by the respondent lacks merit and constituted a waste of judicial time.

Aliyu who was deputy to Tambuwal had filed a petition before the Tribunal challenging the victory of the incumbent as well INEC for declaring him a winner in the March 2019 state governorship election.

The governorship election held on March 9 was declared inconclusive following cancellation of 75, 403 votes which were higher than the 3, 413 votes margin between the leading candidates.

The re-run was conducted on March 23, and Tambuwal won with a slim margin of 342 votes.

Unsatisfied with the outcome, Aliyu approached the tribunal challenging the return of Tambuwal as the governor-elect, on the grounds that the election was marred with irregularities.

Meanwhile, Counsel to the petitioner (APC), Sam Kargbo expressed that though the tribunal has done its job, saying that they have two more sessions at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court respectively.

“All is not lost and we are not worried at all because we are determined to get-back our mandate.” Kargbo added.

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