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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate Aminu Bande, seeking to nullify the election of Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.
The apex court in its ruling on Friday, held that the appeal lacked merit.
“My conclusion is that this appeal lacks merit and it is dismissed,” Uwani Abba-Aji, who read the lead judgment, said.
In March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the Kebbi gubernatorial election inconclusive owing to “massive vote cancellation and over-voting” in 20 of the 21 LGAs in the state.
The petitioners alleged that there was over-voting in some polling units and that Idris was not qualified to contest the poll.
They also alleged that the deputy governor had submitted a fake secondary school testimonial to INEC.
In the judgment, Ofem Ofem, the chairman of the tribunal, held that the petitioners failed to prove beyond doubt that the third respondent (deputy governor) presented a fake certificate to INEC.
In the issue of over-voting, Ofem said out of the 59 polling units being questioned, irregularities were discovered in nine.
