SENATORIAL SEAT : COURT NULLIFIES ALIERO CANDIDACY, AFFIRMS SAIDU AS AUTHENTIC CANDIDATE OF PDP
FROM : AYODELE AJOGE, BIRNIN-KEBBI.
The Federal High Court,sitting in Birnin Kebbi presided over by Justice Baba Gana Ashigar has on Wednesday nullified the election of Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero as the DPD Senatorial candidate for Kebbi Central, as it affirmed Alhaji Haruna Saidu Dandio as authentic Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for Kebbi Central Senatorial district of Kebbi state.
Alhaji Haruna Saidu, is the plaintiff had sued the Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero's PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting fresh primary election for Kebbi Central Senatorial District, Which he won during the initial contest.
He also sued them for substituting his name for that of Senator Aliero, which he claimed was in APC as at the time the first primary election was held contrary to Electoral Acts of 2022 and Constitution of the PDP.
While ruling on the preliminary objections, filed by 1st Defendant, Justice Ashigar ruled that the Plaintiff, has the locus standi and has not abused the Court processes, and has genuine reason to institutes the suit having realised his rights would be jeopardize.
"In line with the aforementioned, in my humble view, I rule in favour of the plaintiff". He said.
Justice Asghigar while delivering his judgement on the overall issues, observed that, there was no doubt that when the first Primary election for the Kebbi Central senatorial district of the PDP was held, the 1st defendant was in the ruling party.
He also explained that,based on exhibits 2, 21, 23, and 24, tendered before the Court, the plaintiff had participated in the first Primary election for the Kebbi Central senatorial district where he was elected as the Senatorial candidate of the party having scored the highest votes while the 1st defendant was still at the ruling party which is APC.
Justice Ashigar said that,after the the first primary election was held,no petition was immediate instituted against the plaintiff until the second primary election was conducted,which was not served on the plaintiff.
In his judgement, Justice Ashigar said" since the first primary election was not challenged by the 1st defendant, it is in my humble view that the first primary election for Kebbi Central senatorial district remained authentic, i therefore, upheld all the prayers of the plaintiff". He said.
In his reaction, Counsel to the Plaintiff, Sule O.Usman (SAN), appreciated the Judge for his decision, adding that we are elated because, we approached the Court with tears in our faces, but my Lord has delivered beautiful justice, with fairness without favour to any parties, he has listen to all parties and affirmed Haruna Saidu as the candidate of the Kebbi Central senatorial district of PDP.
"With this judgement, the people of Kebbi Central Senatorial district now know their candidate for PDP. We wishe my Lord all the best". He said.
Counsel to the 1st defendant, Aliyu Hassan who also commended Justice Ashigar for the judgement also appreciated his meritorious job but told newsmen that his Client,Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero would appeal the judgement.
In his reaction, Counsel to the INEC, Barrister Ahmad Mamud said they have learnt a lot of lesson in the judgement and commended Justice Ashigar for delivering meritorious judgement.