The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Bauchi has reserved judgement on the petition challenging the reelection of Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed as the governor and his deputy, Mohammed Auwal Jatau.
LEADERSHIP Friday reports that the petition was filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18th election, Ambassador Saddique Baba Abubakar.
After counsel adopted their last written speeches, the tribunal stated during its meeting that it would notify the parties of the day it would give its judgment.
The petition names INEC as the first respondent, followed by Governor Bala Mohammed and Hon. Jatau, who are designated as the second and third respondents, respectively.
The petition submitted by the petitioners should be dismissed, according to counsel for the respondents Chris Uche, SAN, on the grounds that the petitioners failed to show the claims made in their petition.
He said that the governorship election in Bauchi State on March 18, 2023, was conducted mostly in accordance with the Electoral Act of 2022.
He continued by saying that the petitioners’ witnesses, PW2, 4,5,8,9, and 10, had not provided evidence to support the claim they made in their petition. He therefore requested that the panel deny the plea.
He added that the claims made against Governor Bala’s victory in the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election had not been proven by the petitioners.
The petitioners’ principal attorney, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, contended in his submission for adopting the final written address that the pleadings and evidence presented before a tribunal determine whether a case is successful or unsuccessful.
In support of his claim that the alleged election in the areas mentioned in their petition should be ruled illegitimate, he cited section 73 sub-section 2 of the Electoral Act 2022 as modified.
Additionally, he stated that if those votes are taken away, Sadique Abubakar, the petitioner, will receive 252,022 votes, while Bala Mohamed, the respondent, will receive 246,522 votes, highlighting the fact that the election was marred by anomalies. Finally, he requested that the panel grant the petition.
According to LEADERSHIP FRIDAY, the tribunal’s meeting was held under strict security, but despite precautions taken to limit the number of people on the court’s grounds, the mob managed to overwhelm them and enter the building.
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