The Supreme Court is presently hearing five governorship election appeals that was adjourned yesterday.
They are those of Kano, Imo, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau and Benue States.
At the apex court sitting on Tuesday, during the hearing of Kano governorship appeal, the lawyer to Abba Yusuf of the People Democratic Party(PDP), Adegboyega Awomolo, in adopting his written address on Tuesday asked the court to allow the appeal and grant all the appellant prayers.
Adegboyega Awomolo noted that the returning officer cancelled results in 207 polling units, declared the election inconclusive and rescheduled another election for 23rd March, 2019.
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He summited that the cancellation made by the state returning officer in 207 polling units after announcing the entire results in the state is ultra vires his powers and the declaration of the election as inconclusive is also ultra vires.
According to the senior lawyer, “Therefore, the result of the second rescheduled election of March 23” is null and void.
“The only lawful votes at the Kano state governorship election … were those announced by the returning officer on March 11.
“In conclusion, I urge your lordship to allow this appeal on the grounds that the appellant scored the highest votes at the election of March 9, 2019, and satisfied section 179 (2) a and b,” the lawyer said.
On his part, the lawyer representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ahmed Raji, urged the court to summarily dismiss the appeal.
Ahmed Raji held that it is not correct that the returning officer cancelled votes.
He said the evidence laid did not prove any cancellation.
Premium Times
