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FROM MIJINYAWA BABA-AGAIE MINNA

The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal
(NAEPT) Sitting in Minna Friday again upheld the election of Mohammed Sani Idris of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the conduct of 18,March,2023 State Assembly Election.

Mohammed Sani Idris who was the immediate past Commissioner for information in Niger State contested the state house of assembly election, to represent Tafa state Constituency was challenged by Barrister Jibril Musa Kallamu of the People Democratic party (PDP).

The Former Commissioner was dragged to the Tribunal by the petitoner alledging that the respondent was not in any way qualify to contest the Match 18 2023, governorship and State house of assembly election to represent Tafa state Constituency on the ground he did not meet the electoral process in accordance to the provision of the electoral act 2022.

He claimed further that the defendant process in which he contested the election was not in compliance with the provision of the electoral act 2022 requesting the tribunal to upturn the election and return him (the petitoner), as the most qualified candidate of his party the People Democratic party
(PDP)

The Petitioner also alleged that the election as conducted on the 18 March 2023, in Tafa state Constituency of Niger State was marred with irregularities which include over votings, none availability of Bivas machines, unsigned of ballot papers and other Electoral malpractices.

During the commencement of the hearing at the tribunal, some evidences and exhibits as well as witnesses were tendered which also includes some suppoened witnesses testified at the tribunal

Among the suppoened witnesses Include some polling agents and Electoral officers of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in-chsrge of Tafa local government who were all cross examined by both counsels to all the parties.

Reviewing the documents and submissions of all the parties, the tribunal, avered that that all the evidences, exhibits and the submissions of the petitoner were all based on hearsay which according to Justice Mojisola Ishaq Sule said could not hold water in law adding that the tribunal will not arrive at given Judgement in favour of the petitoner.

” The tribunal is under obligation by law and he who assert must prove his assertion. All the evidences, exhibits and evidences before this tribunal is all based on hearsay of which the tribunal which was put in place by law will not arrive at given Judgement in favour of the petitoner.

” The Petitioner has failed to prove all the alledgetions against the second and the third defendants in the petition. In all the tribunal is hereby affirmed the election of the second respondent and the petition is dismissed accordingly”
Justice Mojisola Ishaq averred.

In an interview with Journalists shortly after the Judgement, the former Commissioner stated that the Judgement as delivered by the panels has continued to make the citizens to have confidence on Nigeria Judiciary

According to him even when the petitoner approached the tribunal he never for one lost hope in the judiciary staying that he already know that the petitioner has no any reason to approached the tribunal in the first place.

” With the digital system of our Electoral process in Nigeria today how do you think you can just go to the polling units to ring Election.

His allegations against me just like you heard from the tribunal is all centred in hearsay. Which the tribunal told him and his lawyers
” You can see that at end of it the petition was dismissed and my election is affirmed by the erudite jurists.
” My appeal to him now is that he should come and join hands With me as his brother to build a virile Tafa that will be a pride of our people” he said.