Kano Tribunal dismisses Ganduje’s election petition, awards costs to respondents

The National/State House of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Kano has ruled on the petition filed by Umar Abdullahi Ganduje of the APC, challenging the outcome of the Rimin Gado/Dawakin Tofa/Tofa Federal House of Representatives Election held on March 25, 2023.

Abba Umar Ganduje, the son of the former Kano State Governor, had contested the election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and filed a petition against the victory of Abdulkadir-Jobe of the NNPP, who emerged as the representative for Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa, and Tofa Constituency.

The petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Abdulgafar Murtala, called upon the court to declare Umar as the rightful winner and overturn INEC’s declaration of Jobe as the victor. Allegations of irregularities, over-voting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act were raised concerning the Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa, and Tofa Constituency election.

However, the NNPP’s counsel, Ibrahim Wangida, and Jobe’s counsel, Mr. Auwal Sani, argued during the hearing that the election had been conducted in accordance with the 2022 Electoral Act and urged the court to dismiss the petition.

In its judgment, the three-member Panel of Judges dismissed the petition due to a lack of merit. The panel also noted that the petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations made.

As a result, the tribunal awarded the sum of N200,000 to the respondents, jointly and severally.