By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the election of Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Makera constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly and ordered a re-run in 5 polling units.
Hon. Solomon Nuhu Katuka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the election of Hon Yusuf Dahiru Liman of the APC representing Makera constituency in the House of Assembly.
The PDP candidate argued that there were gross irregularities regarding the election of the Liman and Speaker of Kaduna state assembly, stating that he won the election.
However, in its ruling, the tribunal nullified the election of Liman on the 30th of September, 2023 and ordered a rerun in 42 polling units.
The polling units, it was gathered, are 37 PUs in Makera ward, 2 PUs in Barnawa ward, 1 PU in Kakuri Gwari ward, 1 PU in Television ward, and 1 PU in Kakuri Hausa ward, making it 42 polling units.
Dissatisfied with the judgement of the Tribunal, APC, Dahiru Liman, and INEC filed an appeal against the judgement of the Tribunal while filing a cross-appeal seeking an outright declaration.
However, the Appeal Court judgement, delivered by Justice O. O Adejumo, Justice A . O Oyetula, and Justice P. An Obiora on Friday, 24th November 2023, in Abuja dismissed the appeal by sacking the Speaker, and ordered a rerun in 5 polling units, namely Barnawa ward PU 005 and 009, Kakuri Gwari PU 006, Television ward PU 022, and Kakuri Hausa ward PU 045.
At moment, the votes count are APC 17,470 and PDP 17,088. The court ruled that it was nullified on the margin of lead 382, which was less than the number of PVCs collected in the above polling units.