The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) house of representatives
member representing Nangere/Potiskum federal constituency, Hon. Sabo
Garba has had his victory in the 2015 general election upturned by
the Yobe Legislative Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
Garba’s election was nullified by a three-member tribunal led by
Justice Frances Ikponmwen over what the tribunal described as lack of
educational qualification.
According to Vanguard, the petition against the election was filed by Garba’s main challenger at the polls, Alhaji Ali Yakubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC candidate and his party had asked the tribunal to nullify Garba’s election because he did not possess the required qualification to contest the election.
Delivering the judgment, the tribunal instructed the PDP candidate to vacate his seat in the lower house and also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the APC candidate as the winner of the election and issue a certificate of return to him.
The tribunal held that Garba failed to defend the allegation that he did not possess the relevant qualification to contest the election. Out of the four issues raised by the petitioners – malpractice, non compliance with electoral guidelines, forgery and lack of educational qualification – the tribunal based its judgment on the fourth issue of educational qualification.
The presiding judge said: “The issue we consider is that why should the first respondent who should possess the originals of the certificate, shy away from testifying or from producing the originals of the certificates.’’
Subsequently, the tribunal awarded cost of N50,000 each against the 2nd and 3rd respondents – PDP and INEC, respectively.
Meanwhile, the former chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has received two international awards for his role in the 2015 general elections.
The former INEC chairman was given the 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) on Tuesday, September 29, in Washington D.C.
We Need Proper Documentation Of Politicians Who Performed Well In Office – Murray-Bruce
He also received the Integrity Award by Higher Education Foundation at the Waldorf Astoria, New York.
In a related development, the election petition tribunal in Niger state has nullified the victory of an APC candidate in the last general election on the grounds that he is underage.
According to Vanguard, the petition against the election was filed by Garba’s main challenger at the polls, Alhaji Ali Yakubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC candidate and his party had asked the tribunal to nullify Garba’s election because he did not possess the required qualification to contest the election.
Delivering the judgment, the tribunal instructed the PDP candidate to vacate his seat in the lower house and also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the APC candidate as the winner of the election and issue a certificate of return to him.
The tribunal held that Garba failed to defend the allegation that he did not possess the relevant qualification to contest the election. Out of the four issues raised by the petitioners – malpractice, non compliance with electoral guidelines, forgery and lack of educational qualification – the tribunal based its judgment on the fourth issue of educational qualification.
The presiding judge said: “The issue we consider is that why should the first respondent who should possess the originals of the certificate, shy away from testifying or from producing the originals of the certificates.’’
Subsequently, the tribunal awarded cost of N50,000 each against the 2nd and 3rd respondents – PDP and INEC, respectively.
Meanwhile, the former chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has received two international awards for his role in the 2015 general elections.
The former INEC chairman was given the 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) on Tuesday, September 29, in Washington D.C.
We Need Proper Documentation Of Politicians Who Performed Well In Office – Murray-Bruce
He also received the Integrity Award by Higher Education Foundation at the Waldorf Astoria, New York.
In a related development, the election petition tribunal in Niger state has nullified the victory of an APC candidate in the last general election on the grounds that he is underage.
Title : PDP House Of Rep Member Election Nullified Over Lack Of Educational Qualification
Description : The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) house of representatives member representing Nangere/Potiskum federal constituency, Hon. Sabo Garba ha...
Description : The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) house of representatives member representing Nangere/Potiskum federal constituency, Hon. Sabo Garba ha...
