Tribunal dismisses APC petition challenging Ishiaku’s election

The Taraba Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in
Abuja on Wednesday dismissed the petition of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Abubakar Danladi in the
March 9 governorship election in the state.

NAN reports that on March 21, the tribunal for Taraba relocated
to Abuja, due to concerns over the security of its members and the
petitioners.

In his ruling, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice M.O.
Adewarahe said the petition was dismissed because of the July 5
Supreme Court.

The petition was dismissed as a result of the Supreme Court
judgment on July 5, which upheld the Appeal Court judgment that
disqualified Danladi on the grounds of false declaration of
age.

The governorship candidate of the APC, Danladi and the party had
approached the tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Darius
Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The petitioners claimed that the governor was not duly elected
by majority of lawful votes cast in the election.

They further claimed that the governor’s election was invalid by
reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act
2010 (as amended).

The petitioners further claimed that Ishaku’s election was
invalid reasons of corrupt practices.
Joined as respondent in the petition, is the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).

NAN reports that the Apex court dismissed the appeal filed
before it by Danladi, challenging his disqualification by the
Federal High Court in Jalingo.A five-man Panel of the Supreme Court
headed by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko
Mohammed, dismissed the appeal filed by Danladi for being
incompetent and failing to meet the requirements of the law.

Danladi was disqualified from contesting the 2019 Governorship
election in Taraba state on March 6, 2019, by the Federal High
Court, Jalingo presided over by Honourable Justice Stephen Pam.

The court based its decision on allegations of false declaration
of age by Danladi in the documents provided to the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, on March 7, 2019, the Court of Appeal sitting in Yola
stayed the execution of the judgment of the lower in favour of Mr
Danladi, which enabled him to stand for the March 9, Governorship
election in Taraba state.

But the appellate Court subsequently struck out the Appeal for
being incompetent.

Danladi further appealed to the Supreme Court which affirmed the
judgment of the appeal court.

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