…Ashiru vows to pursue mandate to logical conclusion
The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal affirming the election of Governor Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying it would seek legal redress at the Court of Appeal.
The party, in a statement Thursday by its state Publicity Secretary, Alberah Catoh, said a review with its team of lawyers indicated that the judgment did not meet the requirements of substantive justice.
The reaction came hours after the tribunal sitting in Kaduna upheld Sani’s election. It further argued that the verdict was not in alignment with extant electoral laws, guidelines and regulations.
“The party has accordingly directed its lawyers to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja within the timeframe specified by law,” the statement added.
The party urges its teeming supporters across the state to be calm and of good cheer in the faith that though the walk to justice.
Ashiru vows to pursue mandate to logical conclusion
Also, the party’s candidate in the election, Isa Ashiru has assured his supporters that he would pursue the mandate to its logical conclusion and by the grace of God.
In a statement, Ashiru said: “First, I give glory to God Almighty for the progress made so far in our effort to reclaim the mandate given to us by the good people of Kaduna State. I also thank the people of the tate for widely believing in me and the PDP.
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“Also, given the ruling of the Kaduna state election tribunal, it has become necessary to share with our teaming supporters, the true position of the ruling.
“On the preliminary objection, the tribunal, based on the majority of 2:1 judges upheld the preliminary objection of the respondent to the effect that the application for pre-hearing was done prematurely i.e. before the service of the last set of petitioners’ reply to the 2nd respondent’s reply to the petition was served.”
“However, the law enjoins the tribunal, as a trial court, to proceed to pronounce on the merit of the substantive suit so that in the event the court of appeal finds that the trial tribunal was wrong in its decision on the preliminary objection, it would have the benefit of pronouncing on the decision of the tribunal in the substantive matter.
“Accordingly, the trial tribunal finds merit in the aspect of the petitioner’s case relative to the margin of win between the two leading candidates.
“The tribunal by a split decision of 2:1 accordingly, nullified the election of the governor of Kaduna state, ordered that the Certificate of Return be retrieved and fresh elections be conducted in some polling units in four LGAs and the outcome thereof be reckoned with before the declaration of the winner of the governorship election in Kaduna state.
“I want to again thank the people of the state while urging them all to remain law abiding while we pursue the appeal process.”
“One thing I can assure the good people Kaduna state is that I will pursue this mandate you freely gave me to its logical conclusion and by the grace of God, victory on our side,” he added.
