In Kebbi State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Nasiru Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of the state. The PDP has announced its intention to seek legal redress at the Court of Appeal.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the tribunal’s judgment in Birnin Kebbi, the petitioners and their counsels expressed their dissatisfaction with the way the tribunal arrived at its decision on October 5, which favored the APC candidates, Governor Nasiru Idris and Deputy Abubakar Umar.
Barrister Nura Bello, one of the petitioner’s counsels, expressed dismay at the tribunal’s decision despite the evidence and documents presented.
“Considering the evidence presented before the tribunal by the petitioners, anyone interested in justice was surprised and alarmed by the manner in which the judgment was delivered. The tribunal dismissed the petition, despite substantial evidence and documents, including the allegations of forged INEC forms,” Bello said.
He noted that the tribunal relied on a previous judgment related to subpoena witnesses and their statements on oath, which the petitioners argued was incorrect based on Supreme Court precedent. As a result of their dissatisfaction with the judgment, the petitioners have instructed their legal team to appeal.
Bello defended the decision to appeal, asserting that it is a constitutional right. He stated, “The right to appeal is a constitutional right, and the appellants want to exercise that right. We believe it is essential to test the law in the Court of Appeal to further develop our electoral jurisprudence.”
The PDP’s decision to challenge the tribunal’s ruling at the Court of Appeal comes despite calls from the APC-led government in Kebbi State for the petitioners to accept the judgment in good faith.
