Lawyer writes Niger Electoral Commission Chairman to issue Certificates of Return to SDP elected Councilors without delay

The Chairman Niger State Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Alhaji Aminu Baba, has been warned to issue Certificate of Return to the eight elected Councilors of Katcha Local Council that
won the November 10 local government election conducted in Niger state.

The warning was contained in a letter of protest forwarded to the governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and obtained in Minna, stating that seven months after the conduct of the election, the state electoral umpire under Alhaji Aminu Baba refused to issue the elected Councilors with their certificates of return.

The Councilors were elected under the platform of the Social Democratic party (SDP) in the November 10th local government election in Niger state.

The elected councilors, include Abubakar Nda Mohammed of Bakeko ward, Abubakar Umar,Badeggi ward, Adamu Abubakar, Bissanti ward and Abdullahi. Abubakar, Dzwafu ward.

Others are, Adamu Mohammed, Essan ward, Abdullahi Mohammed Baba, Edotsu ward, Mohammed Ibrahim, Gbakogi ward and Isah Hussaini Katcha ward.

The letter which was signed by a Minna based legal practitioner, Barrister Mohammed Tsado Mohammed alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) contested the councillorship
along with the Social Democratic party in the November 10 election lost out in the election.

“The Chairman of the State Electoral Commission had planned to issue them with the certificate
in the election they lost.

“Those that won the councillorship seat in Katcha were not issued certificate of return. The suit is already pending before the High court in Bida Division and the SDP as an applicant in the suit
has filed an application before same court.

“Our affidavit and counter affidavit are already before the court. It is going to be a disrespect to the Honourable court for the Commission to turn around seven (7), months after the election to issue certificate of return to APC (Plaintiffs), who were not duly elected.

The letter insisted that any attempt by the Chairman of the Niger State Electoral Commission (NSIEC) Alhaji Aminu Baba and staff of the Commission to perpetuate illegality or unconstitutional act will be met with the full wrath of the law in Niger state and Nigeria, as the Social Democratic party (SDP) will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that Justice takes it course against the Chairman of NSIEC.

It stated that what was not undone seven months after the conduct of the local government election in Niger state cannot be done now adding that by virtue of any corrupt practices or
unconstitutional act.