The Kaduna Governorship Election Petition Tribunal convened in Kaduna has officially declared the governorship election held on March 18, 2023, inconclusive.
The petition was lodged by Isah Mohammed Ashiru, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, against Uba Sani from the All Progressives Congress.
In a split verdict with a ratio of 2:1, the three-member tribunal panel, presided over by Justice Victor Oviawe, ruled that the election lacked a conclusive outcome.
Consequently, they directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a supplementary election within a 90-day timeframe.
This legal challenge arose as the Peoples Democratic Party sought to contest the victory of Uba Sani, who had assumed the role of Governor of Kaduna State.
The PDP’s argument was primarily based on allegations of irregularities and electoral fraud, with the assertion that their candidate, Isa Mohammed Ashiru, had emerged as the true winner of the election.
The tribunal’s ruling specified that the Independent National Electoral Commission must organize a new election in seven wards, spanning four local governments, and encompassing 24 polling units, which collectively involve 16,300 registered voters.
Throughout the course of the petition hearing, the PDP and Ashiru presented their case through the testimony of 24 witnesses and the submission of various claims and supporting documents.
Notably, the tribunal’s judgment was delivered through a virtual session on the Zoom platform.
Further details are expected shortly.
