By
Fidelis Jockthan.
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital has dismissed the petition filed by Abubakar Magaji Jaafar of the All Progressives Congress (APC)challenging the election of Jingi Rufai, Member representing Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha federal constituency who is the incumbent under Peoples Democratic party (PDP)
Abubakar Magaji Jaafar had on the 17th March, 2023 instituted his petition, alleging that Jingi was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast during the election held on the 25th February, 2023.
He prayed the tribunal to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Jingi by Independent Electoral Commission
and that he should be issued with the certificate of return having scored the majority of lawful votes cast.
The presiding Judge, Justice Aloysius Okuma while delivering a judgement that lasted for an hour dismissed the case in favour of Jingi Rufai.
The judge asserted that Jaafar has failed to lead cogent and credible evidences to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore dismissed the petition in it’s entirety.
In a related development, the Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed against Mohammed Salihu(Abba Girei), the incumbent lawmaker representing Girei,Yola-North and South Federal constituency.
Abba Girei was dragged before the Election Petitions Tribunal by the All Progressives Candidate, Abubakar Baba Zango.
In his petition filed on the 19th March, 2023, Zango alleged that the election of Salihu Abba Girei was invalid as it was characterized by irrigularities and non-compliance with the electoral Act and therefore should be nullified in it’s entirety.
Abubakar Zango equally in the petition challenged the authenticity of the certificates Abba Girei used during the election,
alleging that Salihu Abba Girei,at the time of the election held on the 25th February, 2023 was not qualified to contest the election, and persuaded the tribunal to invalidate victory by quickly withdrawing his certificate of return.
He further asked the tribunal to order INEC to issue him with certificate of return having polled majority of lawful votes cast during the election.
According to him, Salihu Girei had presented forged primary school certificate and birth certificate to the electoral body which he used in contesting election.
Justice Nkereuwem Obot in judgement that lasted for two hours dismissed the petition and awarded cost of six hundred thousand naira in favour of the incumbent Abba Girei.
Our correspondent, Fidelis Jockthan who covered the Tribunal proceedings today reports that the court premises was under tight security.
