Kano Election Tribunal: Jobe floors Ganduje’s son

The National/State House of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano on Tuesday has dismissed the petition filed by Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, of the APC, challenging the victory of Alhaji Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe of the NNPP.

Abba Umar Ganduje, the son of former Kano State Governor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had filed a petition, challenging the emergence of Abdulkadir-Jobe of the NNPP, as a member representing Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa and Tofa Constituency election, which was held on February 25, 2023.

Mr. Abdulgafar Murtala, who is the Counsel to the Petitioner, urged the court to declare Umar, as the winner and overturn the INEC declaration that earlier announced Jobe as the winner.

He alleged that there were irregularities, over-voting, and non-compliance, with the Electoral Act during the Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa, and Tofa Constituency election.

However, Mr. Auwal Sani, Counsel to Jobe and Ibrahim Wangida, Counsel to NNPP, during the hearing urged the court to dismiss the petition, pointing out that the election was conducted in compliance with the 2022 electoral act.

In the judgment, the three-man Panel of Judges dismissed the petition for lack of merit. The panel also submitted that the petitioner failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the allegation raised.

The tribunal ordered Umar to pay Jobe and other respondents the sum of N200,000 each as costs.