BREAKING: TRIBUNAL AFFIRMS YAHAYA BELLO’S ELECTION AS GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE
The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed Governor Yahaya Bello as the Governor of Kogi State.
The Tribunal, headed by Justice Kashima Kaigama, in its majority judgment, rejected the argument of the majority position of members of the panel.
It noted that while “the petitioners pleaded over-voting, violence, violation of electoral law, hijacking of polling units and electoral materials by armed thugs in seven local government areas of Kogi State, they failed to support their allegations with sufficient evidence.
The tribunal disapproved of the testimonies of some witnesses, on the grounds the evidences were not concrete enough.
It held that, ”On the whole, the petitioners failed to prove the allegation of over voting beyond reasonable doubt.”
The Tribunal also ordered each of the petitioners to pay the sum of N500, 000 to the second and third respondents in the petition.
In a dissenting decision, Justice Ohimai Ovbragele faulted the majority judgment of the panel.
Justice Ovbragele held that Bello was not duly elected governor by lawful majority votes.
The judge noted that evidence was presented to the effect that the election that produced Yahaya Bello was filled with violence and other electoral malpractices.
He said his colleagues on the panel ought to give credit to the testimony of Prof. Tanko Ishaya, a professional called by the petitioners, adding that Ishaya’s testimony was not contradicted and was not challenged by any of the respondents’ witnesses.
Justice Ovbragele declared: “I hereby make an order nullifying the election of the second respondent and INEC should withdraw the certificate of return issued to him and conduct a fresh election into the governorship position of the state.”
Comments