Appeal Court Declares Jigawa Rep Seat Vacant

From Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse

The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the ruling of the lower court that declared the 2023 election in Birninkudu/ Buji federal constituency of Jigawa State inconclusive.

In his ruling, chairman of the panel, Justice Ogochuku Anthony Ogakwu, ordered Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct bye election across eight polling units within 30 days.

The court gave the verdict in an appeal filed by Hon Adamu Yakubu, a People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but challenged by Magaji Dau Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The tribunal, which sat in Dutse, Jigawa State capital, had declared the result of the 2023 election of Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency as inconclusive.

The tribunal under the chairmanship of Justice A. A. Okeke said INEC did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

But Yakubu appealed the ruling, which did not end in his favour.

INEC will now organise bye election across the eight poling units have the total number of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected was 6, 351 and the APC candidate, Mr Da’u was trailing behind the PDP candidate Hon Adamu Yakubu with 1,926 votes.