Tribunal affirms Kano South Senator, Kawu Sumaila’ election

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The National/State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Kano has l upheld the victory of Senator representing Kano South senatorial district, Abdulrahman Kawu-Sumaila under NNPP at the February 25th, 2023 general election.
The three-man panel, led by Justice R. O. Odogua while delivering it judgment yesterday, dismissed the petition by the All Progressive Congress, APC candidate, Kabiru Gaya, challenging the victory of Kawu-Sumaila of NNPP as grossly incompetent.
The tribunal averred that the petitioner, Gaya failed to call cogent witnesses to prove disenfranchisement during the conduct of the election.
According to the tribunal, “the petitioner called two witnesses but their evidence were self contradictory which by law, the court cannot relied upon.
“The petitioner alleged 50,000 voters were disenfranchised. The petitioner did not call party agents, voters disenfranchised and their voters card to tribunal.
“It is a wild allegation which the petitioner has failed to prove,” Justice Odogua declared.
He however validated the election that produced Senator Kawu-Sumaila and awarded the cost of N200,000 each in favour of the respondents, including NNPP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.