The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Thursday affirmed Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan’s victory in the Borno Central senatorial election held on February 25, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court ruled that the appellants, comprising Barrister Mohammed Kumalia and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), failed to substantiate their case, leading to the dismissal of their request to invalidate the election.
The three-judge panel, presided over by Hon. Justice Abraham Georgewill, with the assistance of Folashade Ojo and Peter Obiora, consequently affirmed Senator Lawan’s election as the legitimate representative of the Borno Central senatorial district.
As a reminder, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Borno, in its session on September 8th this year, not only rejected the appellant’s petitions but also confirmed Lawan’s election win as a candidate of the dominant All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawan scored hundred and thirty-five thousand and forty-three 135,043, while Kumalia managed and scored sixty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-eight 63,338 votes.
Expressing their discontent with the election results, Barrister Kumalia and his party are now pursuing the nullification of the election. They claim that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared results tainted by irregularities.
Following the verdict, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, during a press conference in Maiduguri, expressed his contentment with the judgment and lauded the judiciary for upholding justice.
He urged his opponent, Kumalia, to step away from politics and refrain from pursuing unsuccessful petitions.
His words: ” I thank God for this victory at the Court of Appeal. I want to commend the Judiciary for standing by Justice. I also thank the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Babagana Zulum, the Deputy National Chairman of our great party, Hon Ali Bukar Dalori, state party Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, their Royal Highnesses, the Shehu of Borno, Bama and Dikwa Emirate Councils, Religious leaders, Borno elders, families and associates, all party supporters electorates/constituents who stood firm by me during the judicial process. I promise to justify the confidence reposed in me before, during and after the general election, in which, the judiciary has also affirmed today. I promise not to let them down.”
“Now that the judicial process is over, we have no distraction whatsoever, we are going to concentrate on good governance.”
“On the other side, as a professional lawyer, I decided to keep quiet, because once a matter is in the court, it is sub judice, and parties stopped from commenting on the matter, that was why I refused to join issues with my opponent who is well known as a serial petitioner, habitual litigant and perennial loser.
“Recall that my opponent had a press conference immediately after filing his petition in the tribunal, where he stated that Muktari Betara (member representing Biu/Bayo/Kwayakusar/Shani federal constituency) was the only APC candidate that won election in Borno, contrary to the figment of his imagination, as all the 14 petitions filed before the tribunal by the PDP were dismissed accordingly for lack of merit, and thereby affirming the victory of all the APC candidates.”
“Kumalia’s case filed against me at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal were all declared frivolous and dismissed.”
He has no alternative but to acknowledge his defeat, and I would also recommend that he consider retiring from politics, as it may not be his forte.
“This is because, all his unfortunate ambition exhibited will never see the light of the day, politics is a game of conviction and not arrogance. Therefore, I want to call on my opponent and his paymasters who stood by him on the fruitless journey to play the games according to the rules, a word is enough for the wise.”
“We are very much aware of how he (Kumalia) became the PDP senatorial candidate. Now that the court case is over, our legal team will soon activate the ongoing investigation by the police which was halted by the former Inspector General of Police at the instance of Kumalia to avoid indictment”. Senator Lawan explained.
Despite all attempts to reach Barrister Kumalia, we were unable to establish contact with him as his phone number remained unreachable at the time of this report’s completion.