PDP Kaduna Central Candidate Appeals Election Tribunal’s Ruling

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central in the 2019 general elections, Mr. Lawal Adamu Usman, has appealed the judgment of the Kaduna State and National Assembly elections Tribunal that granted judgment in favour of his opponent, Senator Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Media consultant to the PDP candidate, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, stated this in a statement, saying that Usman arrived at the decision after reviewing the Tribunal’s ruling with his legal team, consulting with political associates and major stakeholders in the senatorial zone.

Restating confidence in the judicial system as the only hope for the citizens while filing the appeal at the Kaduna state Court of Appeal, Usman said he is committed to reclaiming and restoring the mandate of the people of Kaduna central.

Appreciating the understanding and encouragement from his supporters, Usman urged them to continue to exercise patience, assuring that “he who laughs last, laughs best and longest”.

Usman had asked the Tribunal to nullify the election of Uba Sani on the grounds of massive rigging, ballot stuffing, ballot snatching and violence in most parts of the senatorial zone.

He also asserted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), did not comply with the Electoral Act 2010 in the conduct of the poll.

Usman also alleged that Uba Sani did not resign his appointment as an official of the Government of Kaduna State before contesting the poll, an act he noted violated the Electoral Act.

However, Chairman of the three-member Tribunal, Adamu Suleiman, in a judgment that lasted about three hours, said that Usman and his party failed to provide substantial evidence of all allegations contained in their petition.

Dissatisfied, Usman appealed and he is praying the Court of Appeal to upturn the ruling of the Tribunal and hold that the trial judges erred in law.