BREAKING: Tribunal sacks NNPP’s Idris Dankawu for forging his WAEC certificate

The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has rendered a verdict resulting in the removal of Idris Dankawu, a candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), from his position. Dankawu had been elected to represent the Kumbotso Federal House of Representatives Constituency in Kano State.

The catalyst for this decision was a petition filed by Munir Babba Danagudi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who contested against Dankawu. Danagudi alleged that Dankawu had submitted a fraudulent West African School Certificate (WAEC) to secure admission into Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Kaduna.

Justice I.P. Chima presided over the case and, after thorough deliberation, declared, “Idris Dankawu of NNPP has forged his WAEC certificate.” As a result, the tribunal nullified the election, sending shockwaves through the political landscape.

The tribunal went a step further by instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the Certificate of Return previously awarded to Dankawu. Instead, they proclaimed Munir Babba Danagudi as the rightful winner of the Kumbotso Federal Constituency poll, which occurred on February 25, 2023.

Justice Chima underscored the tribunal’s commitment to upholding the law, stating, “Having satisfied with the provision of the law, we hereby declare and return Munir Babba Danagudi as the winner of the Kumbotso Federal House of Representatives Election.”

The ruling concluded by assigning costs to the respective parties involved in the case.