The victory of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was upheld by the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Kaduna State, delivered its verdict on the petition filed by the Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Michael Auta. Auta who challenge the victory of Sunday Marshall Katung as the Senator representing Kaduna-South.
The three-member panel of justices declared, in a unanimous judgment, that the LP candidate failed to provide substantial evidence to prove his claims of non-compliance with electoral processes and electoral violence during the February 25 election.
In his petition, Auta alleged that the election was marred by significant non-compliance with electoral processes, particularly in certain areas of Kachia and Kagarko Local Government Areas. He sought the Tribunal to nullify the proclamation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the election.
The judgement was delivered by Justice O.O. Oluboyede on behalf of the tribunal ruled that the petitioner did not present credible evidence to support his case, leading to the dismissal of the petition in its entirety.
One of the lead counsels for the respondent, Zigwai Z. Adamu, explained that the LP candidate had alleged that elections were not conducted in specific polling units. However, he noted that the petitioner failed to provide credible evidence as stated in their pleadings.
Adamu further emphasized that the tribunal’s role is to uphold justice based on the evidence presented, rather than delve into emotional appeals.
Expressing his gratitude to the tribunal for upholding the victory of Sunday Marshal Katung, Ali Kalat, the Minority Leader in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, commended the decision. He noted the historical electoral strength of Southern Kaduna as a region traditionally aligned with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Sunday Marshal Katung had been declared the elected representative for Kaduna-South in the National Assembly election conducted by INEC on February 25, 2023.
