A three-man election tribunal panel was established in Kaduna on Thursday to hear petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Isa Ashiru, as well as other political parties.
The PDP had contested the victory of the incumbent governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that the state’s most recent governorship election had been rigged in his favor.
Justice Victor O. Oviawe, the panel’s chairman, pledged in his inaugural speech to see to it that the tribunal upholds and operates within the bounds of the constitution’s provisions.
Justice Oviawe stated, “The Tribunal will be just and fair and act in the public’s best interest.”
He continued by requesting the bar’s assistance so that the court could fulfill its obligations under the terms of the electoral act on time.
Tajudeen Muhammed, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), assured the panel of the NBA’s support and added that the bar would provide the bench with the best possible cooperation throughout the course of the case.
Justice D.A. Damulak and Justice N. Nonye are additional panelists.
In order to guarantee that its work was done within the allotted time, the tribunal also stated that it would meet every day.
Bayo Ojo, the top attorney for Governor Uba Sani, gave them his word that they would work with them and make a good case for their clients.
Samuel Atung, the PDP’s leading candidate for governor in the 2023 election, claimed that the tribunal had assured him that justice would be served at its first session. He added that as members of the bar, he has unwavering confidence in the tribunal’s ability to uphold the law.
