Kano election petition tribunal upholds Jobe’s victory, dismisses Ganduje’s son’s challenge

In a recent development, the National/State House of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal convened in Kano and made a significant decision on Tuesday. They ruled to dismiss the petition that had been submitted by Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umar Ganduje is notable not only for his political affiliation but also because he is the son of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who is both the APC national chairman and a former governor of Kano state. Umar’s petition contested the outcome of the Rimin Gado/Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/ Federal House of Representatives Election that took place on March 25, 2023. In this election, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, representing the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

During the tribunal proceedings, Mr. Abdulgafar Murtala, the legal representative for Umar Ganduje, strongly advocated for his client’s victory. He urged the court to recognize Umar as the rightful winner and invalidate the earlier announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission that had declared Jobe as the victor.

He alleged that the Rimin Gado, Dawakin Tofa, and Tofa Constituency election was marred with irregularities, over-voting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

The Tribunal, however, dismissed Abba’s petition due to a lack of sufficient evidence to support the allegation during the conduct of the election.

Delivering the judgement, the three-person panel led by Justice I.P Chima dismissed the petition for lacking merit.

“The petitioner failed to present sufficient evidence to support the petition, and the election of Jobe is hereby affirmed,” Chima said.

The Tribunal ordered Abba to pay Jobe and other respondents N200,000 each as costs.