Tribunal Affirms election of Murtala Badaru of APC,Member representing Suleja.
Th Justice Angela Otaluka of the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in the Minna High court complexe, has affirmed the election of Murtala Badaru Suleja of All Progressive Congress (APC), at the 18 March 2023,Election.
Justice Otaluka while delivery Judgment on the petition filed by Nasiru Alhassan of the People Democratic party (PDP), declared that the petitioner failed to prove
the allegations raised in his Petition.
Hon Nasiru Alhassan had approached the election tribunal on three grounds in his Petition that the second respondent in the petition was not qualify to contest the election as at the time he contested the election, and was not duly nominated by the third respondent also that he was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.
He claimed further that the second respondent election was not in compliance with the provision of electoral act 2022, and not in compliance with section 104 of the evidence act and therefore prayed the tribunal to nullify the election and declare him the rightful winner of the election.
During the pre-hearings of the tribunal Barrister Christ Osuagu defense counsel to the third respondent told the tribunal that the tribunal lack jurisdiction to hear the petition on the ground that ground in which the petitioner approached the tribunal is purely a pre- election matter which was earlier decided at the Federal High court Im Minna.
Barrister Christ Osuagu in his preliminary objection filed at the tribunal prayed the Tribunal to strike out the petition as it has already suffered defeat in the Federal High court and should not be entertained by the tribunal.
All the evidence and witnesses as well as the exhibits tendered before the tribunal could not be substantiated by the petitioner.
After reviewing all the evidences and submission of both counsels to the parties the three members of the tribunal unanymously avered that the the petitioner failed to proved his allegations and Justice Angela Otaluka then dismissed the petition for lack of merits.
While dismissing the petition she then award a cost of three hundred thousand naira ( 300,000.00 )to the petitioner.
Speaking with Journalists shortly after the Judgement, the defendant Murtala Badaru described the Judgement as a victory to democracy and to the People of Suleja local government area of the state.
He said the victory recorded at the tribunal has vindicated him stating that the Victory is a total indication that he was been loved by the people of Suleja Constituency.
He assured that this will make him to give the people of his Constituency the needed representation that will impact positively on their well-being.
He appealed to his opponent to come on board to extend the hands of fellowship to him to move Suleja Constituency forward noting that Suleja belong to ” all of us we are all critical stakeholders in Suleja. I’m appealing to him to join hands with me to build and impact on the people of Suleja with the needed divided of democracy” he stated
