The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Sitting in Minna, has affirmed the election of Arch. Abubakar Suleiman Gwomna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Bosso State Constituency
Saidu Abdullahi Pyawu of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the election of Arch. Abubakar Suleiman Gwomna on the 18 March 2023, governorship and State Assembly Election.
The petitioner alleged that the election of Arch. Abubakar Suleiman Gwomna was not in compliance with the provision of the electoral act, arguing, further that the election was characterized with over-voting and he was not qualify as at the time he contested the election
He further alledged that the respondent was having an issue with the former member of the state house of Assembly representing Bosso Constituency Hon. Abdulmalik Madaki at the Federal High court in Minna.
According to the petitioner, the respondent, as at the time he contested the election of the March 18 2023, was not eligible as the respondent was engaged in litigations with Hon. Abdulmalik Madaki at the Federal High court.” On this ground, I want the tribunal to disqualify the respondent from contesting the election.”
He equally told the tribunal in the petition that the election of the respondent was characterized with irregularities in some polling units and was not in conformity with the provision of the electoral act 2022, therefore the election should be nullified .
The petitioner presented some evidences, exhibits and witnesses testified during the pre-hearing trial of the tribunal to portray his claims.
While painstakingly reviewing the documents and the submissions of both counsels to the parties the tribunal was not satisfied with all the evidences describing them as inconsistency which “cannot hold water in law”
Delivering Judgement, two of the three member of the tribunal Justice Abdulrashid Mohammed, dismissed the petition and affirmed the election of the respondent, Arch Abubakar Suleiman Gwomna as the rightful winner of the 18 March 2023 governorship and state Assembly Election of the Bosso State Constituency.
Fielding questions from Journalists shortly after the Judgement, Arch Abubakar Suleiman Gwomna expressed gratitude to the Judiciary for the Judgment describing it as well researched Judgement.
He stated the tribunal has vindicated him assuring that with the victory recorded at the tribunal more divided of democracy should be expected from his Constituency.
He called on his opponent to come on board to extend the hands of brotherhood to him to move the Constituency to an enviable level
“Election has come and gone. Bosso Constituency still remains. All that is left for us now is to improve the well-being of our people with the needed amenities that will have positive impacts on them”, he stated.
