The Kastina State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Magistrates Court, Wuse, Abuja, Saturday struck out the petition against the state governor, Aminu Masari’s victory.
Senator Garuba Yakubu and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had petitioned the tribunal alleging irregularities in the declaration of Masari as the duly elected governor of Kastina State.
The 3-man tribunal headed by Justice Hadiza Ali Jos, dismissed the petition on the ground of inability of the petitioners to prove their case.
The tribunal resolved all the four issues raised in the petition in favour of the respondents.
The judgment read by Justice I. Ityonuiman held that Masari was qualified to contest the election.
In the majority judgment by two member of the panel, Justice Hadiza Ali Jos and Justice Ityonuyiman, the tribunal held that the petitioners, Senator Garba Yakubu Lado and his party, the PDP, failed to prove the allegations of non-compliance to the Electoral Act in the conduct of the election that produced Masari as winner.
In a dissenting judgement, Justice A. B. Omotoso held that Masari was not qualified to have contested the election and that the petitioners were able to prove the allegations, which they hinged their petition.
Yakubu had challenged Masari’s re-election on the ground that the governor lacked requisite educational qualification to run for the coveted seat, among others.
