Uba Sani appeals Kaduna tribunal verdict which ordered supplementary poll

Uba Sani appeals Kaduna tribunal verdict which ordered supplementary poll

The battle for the governorship seat of Kaduna has moved to the Appeal Court as the state governor, Uba Sani, asked the appellate court to set aside the majority verdict which ordered a supplementary poll.

The three-member panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe on September 28 upheld the governor’s victory in the March 18 election in the state, but proceeded to order supplementary elections in 22 polling units to be held within 90 days.

The ruling caused confusion across the country with the two contending parties claiming victory at the tribunal.

Ashiru had since filed 24 grounds of appeal and asked the appellate court to nullify Sani’s victory in the election.

In a cross-appeal filed by his legal team led by a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), the governor listed 14 grave errors committed by the tribunal in arriving at its second conclusion.

He said the tribunal caused confusion in the political space when in a majority decision, dismissed the PDP candidate’s petition for non-compliance with the electoral act, before proceeding to deliver an alternative ruling that favoured the petitioners.

The notice was made available to journalists on Sunday.

The five reliefs the governor is seeking from the appellate court are:

An order setting aside the majority decision of the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition ordering supplementary election in 22 polling units or any unit whatsoever delivered on Thursday, 28th of September, 2023, by Hon. Justices K.D Damulak and Victoria T. Nwoye.

An order dismissing the alternative reliefs of the petition for a supplementary election in any polling unit in Kaduna State which was granted by the tribunal.