The Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgement in Sa’idu Umar’s Peoples Democratic Party case against Gov. Ahmed Aliyu and his deputy, Idris Gobir.
After hearing and adopting their final written speeches on Saturday. The three-justice panel chaired by Haruna Mshelia withheld decision and informed parties of a September date.
PDP petitioner Sa’idu Umar challenges Gov. Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress and Gobir for non-qualification and electoral fraud in the March 18 gubernatorial election.
During the session, the petitioner’s lead Attorney, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN, sought the Tribunal’s review of party agent evidence and witnesses that showed major anomalies in the election, primarily characterized by violence.
Akinboro said that, more crucially, the evidence proved Gov. Aliyu’s high school and university diplomas differed from Independent National Electoral Commission records.
He requested that the Tribunal consider the 1986-1987 Town Primary School, Sabon Birni School Record and a letter from Town Model Primary School.
He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board, and Local Government Education Authority should rigorously review all registered schools in Sabon Birni Local Government and other relevant exhibits.
He said that no government agency has documented the existence of a “Model Primary School,” which Gobir claims awarded his primary certificate.
Akinboro said that 32 competent witnesses—INEC officials, the State PDP chairman, the Town Model Primary School Principal, Sabon Birni, and others—presented and acknowledged papers to prove all causes.
He further requested the Tribunal to reject all preliminary competence challenges to start the case.
He further requested the Tribunal to dismiss admission challenges for pertinent and germaine materials.
According to the petitioners’ counsel, the Respondents were unqualified to run in the election and pleaded that their votes were wrongly ascribed to them.
He said that Respondents abandoned facts by presenting two defence witnesses who could not refute 32 witnesses and a bundle of evidence.
He asked the Tribunal to nullify Aliyu’s election and proclaim Umar the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial winner.
Petitioners further asked the Tribunal to compel INEC to give a fresh certificate of return to the petitioner as the legitimately elected Governor of Sokoto state after he received the majority of valid votes or to hold another election without the Respondents.
Respondent counsel, headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, adopted their final written addresses, disputing with reasons and said “heaven would not fall” if the Tribunal dismisses the case.
APC Lawyer Mr Hassan Liman SAN contended that changing the name does not legitimate candidature since it detracts from Gov. Aliyu’s qualifications.
The Respondents asked the Tribunal to reject the case and affirm Gov. Aliyu and Gobir’s election.