On Thursday in Kaduna, a three-member panel of the election tribunal was inaugurated to handle the petitions lodged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Isa Ashiru, as well as other political parties.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contested the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, on the grounds that the last governorship election in the state was rigged in favor of the incumbent.
In his inaugural address, the panel’s chairman, Justice Victor O. Oviawe, pledged to ensure that the court adheres to and operates within the scope of the constitution’s provisions.
According to Justice Oviawe, “The Tribunal will be just, fair, and act in the public’s best interest.”
Further, he requested the assistance of the counsel in order for the court to comply with the provisions of the electoral act and make timely deliveries.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Tajudeen Muhammed, assured the panel of the NBA’s support and stated that the bar would provide the uttermost cooperation to the bench throughout the case’s proceedings.
Justice D.A. Damulak and Justice N. Nonye are also panel members.
In addition, the tribunal stated that it would meet daily in order to complete its mission within the allotted time frame.
Bayo Ojo, the chief legal counsel for Governor Uba Sani, assured them of their cooperation and vowed to defend their clients in an appropriate manner.
Samuel Atung, the primary counsel for the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, stated that the tribunal assured them at its inaugural session that justice would be served, and that as members of the bar, they have unwavering faith in the tribunal’s ability to administer justice.
