The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sai’du Umar, challenging the election of Ahmad Aliyu as governor of Sokoto State.
A panel of five justices, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has adjourned the hearing of the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sai’du Umar, challenging the election victory of Ahmad Aliyu as Sokoto State governor. The adjournment was made to a date that will be communicated to the involved parties.
Last year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Aliyu, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the March 18 governorship election.
Aliyu secured a total of 453,661 votes, surpassing his closest rival, the PDP candidate, who garnered 404,632 votes.
Dissatisfied with the results, Umar contested the outcome at the Sokoto Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal. However, the tribunal, chaired by Justice Haruna Mshelia, dismissed Umar’s petition on September 30.
The tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to substantiate their case beyond a reasonable doubt. In his challenge to Aliyu’s electoral victory, Umar had cited alleged non-qualification and electoral fraud during the March 18, 2023 poll.
Not content with the earlier judgment, the PDP candidate pursued an appeal before the appellate court in Abuja, yet faced another defeat.
In November of the previous year, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Ahmad Aliyu’s election as the governor of Sokoto State.
A three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed the appeal brought forth by the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Saidu Umar, challenging Aliyu’s victory in the election.
The panel unanimously declared that they found no grounds to overturn the tribunal’s verdict that upheld the governor’s triumph.
The case was brought before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, where judgment has been reserved by the apex court.
Additionally, the Supreme Court will also address an appeal lodged by the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Sani Yahaya, who is seeking the removal of Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu of the PDP.
The Sokoto governorship case will conclude on January 25th, while the Taraba case is set to conclude on January 26th.