The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna has upheld the victory of Governor Uba Sani in the 2023 governorship election.
The three-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe delivered judgement via Zoom on Thursday.
The panel struck out the petition because the preliminary notice was filed out of time.
Giving a split judgment, Justice Victor Oviawie said the preliminary notice was filed outside the seven days prescribed by the constitution from the day when the main case was filed, adding that the petition was deemed to be abandoned.
This judgment was also towed by Justice N. Nonye, while Justice K. Damlat differed, noting in his own verdict that the preliminary notice was properly filed and was not abandoned.
The tribunal, a majority judgement supported by Justices K. Damlat and N. Nonye, said the petitioner was able to prove beyond doubt that the election was invalid in 22 polling units across four local government areas, adding that the number of registered voters who have collected their PVCs in the four local governments are more than the 10,806 votes margin with which Uba Sani defeated Isah Ashiru, thus the election was inconclusive.
lead judge, Justice Victor Oviawie, however differed, as he believed that the allegations that the elections were invalid in those 22 polling units within four local governments were not proved beyond doubt.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Isah Mohammed Ashiru, filed a petition challenging the election and declaration of Uba Sani by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as governor of the state.
The PDP alleged irregularities and electoral fraud, deposing that its candidate Ashiru, won the election.
