National Assembly Tribunal In Bauchi Dismisses PDP’s Petition, Upholds APC Reps Election

Masoyi Lusa

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in , Bauchi State yesterday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),House Representatives Candidate Hon Aminu Mohammed  against Hon Shehu Aliyu of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aminu had challenged the emergence of  Hon Shehu Aliyu as member representing Bauchi Federal Constituency and prayed that the Shehu  was not qualified to contest the House Representatives seat in  2015 election.

Yesterday, the three panels of judges led by the tribunal chairman, Justice Hajara Tani Dami-Gwadah delivered the judgement which lasted for more than one hour. In her  judgment, she ruled that issues for determination by elections petitions tribunal, with petition No. EPT/BA/NASD/001/2015 disclosed reasonable cause of action and this honourable Tribunal has jurisdiction to entertain same.

According to her, having regards to the facts, circumstances and exhibits tendered in this petition, the petitioners have made out a case to be entitled to judgment.

“Having regard to the facts, circumstances and exhibits tendered in this petition, the 1st respondent was validly nominated as the candidate of the 2nd respondent in the 28th March,2015 election into the House of Representatives of Bauchi Federal Constituency.”

Hajara said “presentation of a Dummy Candidate by the 2nd respondent affected the valid nomination of the 1st respondent and his eventual victory at the March 28th, 2015 general elections.

The tribunal Chairman said this petition is not liable to be dismissed for being incompetent, frivolous and an act of gold digging.

Justice  Hajara rule that  the petition hereby dismissed with no order as to cost.