Ashiru Vs El-Rufai: Kaduna election Tribunal



 -PDP Present Witnesses As Tribunal Admits Results From 110 Wards

By Tony Okechukwu

The Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has admitted results from 110 wards in 12 Local Government Areas as exhibits tendered by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Isa Ashiru.

The PDP and its candidate have also began the presentation of 685 witnesses assembled to defend its petition against the  outcome of the March 9 Governorship election in Kaduna State.

INEC had declared Malam Nasir el-Rufai Of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election in Kaduna State which is being challenged by Ashiru and the PDP.

Ashiru’s counsel, Mr. Elisha Kurah (SAN), had on Monday tendered results from different polling units and 110 wards in 12 Local Government Area before the tribunal.

At the resumed hearing Kurah informed the court that the tendered documents were true certified copies of Form EC8 for different polling units and wards obtained from INEC in respect to the March 9 governorship election in the state.

He urged the tribunal to admit all the documents tendered in evidence as exhibits.

The petitioners who joined the APC and Gov El-Rufai in their petition, alleged that the poll was characterized by massive rigging, ballot box stuffing and violence in 110 wards in 12 local government areas of the state.

He told newsmen in an interview that, the forms used by INEC allegedly contained discrepancies that would be proved before the tribunal.

Kurah said: “the forms used were forms that INEC used during the election.

”Some of the forms were not signed by the agents, some were not stamped and, you find handwriting of one person on all the forms. I mean one person wrote everything in those forms we have presented.

“The Tribunal has accepted all the documents we presented and addmitted same  in evidence.

“There are lots of differences between those INEC  forms we presented to the Tribunal and that of the  PDP agents” he said.

The Counsel said: ” the witnesses have been assembled to speak on the forms and the lack of genuiness of the forms we collected from INEC.”

INEC’s counsel, Dr. Musa Aliyu, raised objections in some documents and adopted some.

Counsel to APC, Mr. Ibrahim Bawa (SAN) and counsel to el-Rufai, Mr. Omokayode Dada both raised and reserved their objections to be addressed at a later staged of the trial.

Ibrahim Bawa (SAN) Counsel to the APC said the APC would also bring its witnesses to the Tribunal to prove that the petitioners had no case.

PDP and it’s candidate are challenging the results of 10 wards in Birnin Gwari local government, 11 wards in Giwa local government, Rigasa ward in Igabi local government, 11 wards in Ikara local government, 8 wards in Kaduna North local government, 9 wards in Kaduna South local government, 10 wards in Kubau local government, 10 wards in Lere local government, 10 wards in Kudan local government, 11 wards in Soba local government, 9 wards in Sabon Gari local government, and 10 wards in Zaria local government.

Meanwhile, the Ibrahim Bako-led Tribunal adjourned to Tuesday, June 18 to continue, after taking three witnesses from Zaria local government.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Governor Mutfwang Calls For Unity Through Prayer In Plateau State Churches

Image
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has appealed to the people of Plateau State to join in prayers for the unity and prosperity of the church, for the advancement and well-being of the populace. Governor Mutfwang made this plea on  Saturday during the Valedictory Service of the Anglican Bishop of Jos, Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Argak Kwashi, held at the Anglican Diocese of Jos, Church of Nigeria. He stressed the vital need for the church to find a dependable leader who can unite all denominations within the state and Nigeria at large, for the greater good of both the state and the nation. The Governor also recognized the role of the church in rebuilding the nation, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare and called for sustained efforts in these directions. Describing Most Bishop Kwashi as a repository of Church history, Governor Mutfwang underscored the importance of deliberate coordination within the Church in Nigeria to provide clear direction of peace a
Read more

Governor Mutfwang Receives Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu's Generous Donation Of 500 Million Naira To Plateau Crisis Victims

Image
Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N500 million to families affected by violent attacks in Plateau States.  The N500 million will be disbursed under the Renewed Hope Initiative and Social Investment Programme, with One Million Naira allocated to each of the 500 affected families. Announcing the donation at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House, Little Rayfield, the First Lady said that government is concerned about their plight.  Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed her deep concern for the victims, stating that the news of the deteriorating security situation in Mangu Local Government Area on May 15, 2023, had deeply saddened her.  She acknowledged the devastation and despair faced by the affected communities, with destroyed homes and disrupted sources of livelihood. The First Lady emphasized the need for concrete actions to alleviate the suffering of those affected.  She said the donation represents the administration of President Bola Tinubu's commi
Read more

Governor Caleb Mutfwang Rejoices With His Excellency, Nyesom Wike On Birthday

Image
Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, joined other well-wishers and political associates in commemorating the birthday of the former Governor of Rivers State and Honourable Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON. In a press statement released from Jos, Governor Mutfwang paid tribute to Wike as a devoted, patriotic, and iconic figure in Nigerian politics. His selfless dedication to public service, Governor Mutfwang believes, will serve as a lasting inspiration for generations in service to Nigeria. Governor Mutfwang lauded the exceptional qualities of former Governor Wike, describing him as a selfless, courageous, and benevolent philanthropist as his impact on countless lives, especially among the less privileged, resonates across the nation.  He noted that the unwavering commitment of the Minister to Nigeria's unity as demonstrated through a lifetime of selfless political service, will continue to shape th
Read more