- Senator Musa commends tribunal for upholding the rule of law
From John Adams, Minna
It was jubilation galore across Niger East Senatorial District on Wednesday as supporters of Senator Sani Musa representing the senatorial zone in the senate came out in their number to celebrate the victory of the Senator after an election petition tribunal sitting in Minna, the Niger State capital, upheld the electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March National Assembly election.
Shortly after the three members National Assembly Election Petition tribunal delivered it judgment, the entire court premises erupted in the jubilation by the supporters of the two term senator and this spread across the entire nine local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
The supporters who came in their numbers had gathered at the court premises as early as 7; 00am for the judgment that was slated for 10; 00am.
The tribunal, in its judgment, delivered by Justice Mohammed Rashid member two of the three members’ panel dismissed the petition brought by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Isiyaku, for lacking merit.
The tribunal said after painstakingly reviewed the petition, it came to the conclusion that the petitioner failed in totality to prove all the allegations raised in his Petition and the petition and therefore dismissed it for lack of merit.
Senator Sani Musa it could be recalled was dragged before the Tribunal by the PDP candidate challenging his victory at the February 25, 2023 National Assembly election in Niger East Senatorial district.
The petitioner in his Petition which was filed on the 7th, June 2023, claimed among other things that the election was marred with unprecedented irregularities, over voting, denial of eligible voters to cast their in seven out of the nine local government areas that make up the senatorial districts.
The petitioner further alleged in his Petition that the first respondent in the petition, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) did not conduct the election in conformity with the provision of the electoral act 2022, arguing therefore that the election of the second respondent be nullify as he did not scored the majority of the votes cast.
However reacting to his victory in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, the chairman senate committee on finance, Sani Musa described the tribunal’s verdict as victory for democracy and for the people of his constituency.
The senator in the statement equally commended the tribunal for it commitment to uphold the rule of law.
“I want to appreciate the Election Petition Tribunal for the judgment rendered in the Niger East Election petition and the commitment to upholding justice.
“I would also like to express my appreciation to my dear brother, Ibrahim Isiaku (SAN), for pursuing the case with dignity and civility. Your dedication to the legal process is commendable.
“I sincerely appeal to my brother to join hands with me in our collective effort to work towards the development of our zone. Together, we can achieve great things for our community and people.
“I want to thank my supporters for their unwavering support and resilience throughout the judicial process. Your faith in our cause is deeply valued,” the statement added.