Gov Abdulrahaman abdulrazak
of Kwara
Gov Abdulrahaman abdulrazak
of Kwara
Kwara Tribunal Okays Election of Gov Abdulrazaq,
Dismisses Certificate Forgery Case
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kwara State, on
Friday, dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party petition seeking the
nullification of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s election.
The chairman of the tribunal sitting in Ilorin, Justice Bassey
Effiong, said the petitioners were alleging directly that the
second respondent, Abdulrazaq presented a fake WAEC certificate to
Independent National Electoral Commission before the March 9
governorship election.
Effiong said the PDP candidate, Mr Razak Atunwa, failed to prove
the allegations.
“All evidences before us show that Abdulrazaq sat for the
examination and was, therefore, qualified to run for the office of
the governor.
“From all the evidences before us, we hold that the petition lacks
merit and is hereby dismissed,” the chairman of the three-man
panel, announced in a unanimous judgment.
Effiong said the law stated that where a petitioner made the
commission of a crime the kernel of his petition, then he must
prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Has the petitioners discharged the burden of proof expected of
them, and from the evidence in this case, the answer is a
resounding ‘No’.
“We hold that all the evidences presented by the West African
Examination Council (WAEC) which the petitioners had relied upon
and the subpoena, were at variance with the pleadings of the
petitioners,” he said.
Effiong said WAEC, which is the only statutory body to issue
such documents had made it clear that Abdulrazaq’s credential had
emanated from it.