By Gbenga Akingbule
Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Thursday affirmed Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February 25 senatorial election for the Borno Central Senatorial Seat.
Gatekeepers News reports that the court held that the appellants (Barrister Mohammed Kumalia and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) were unable to prove their case before the court to warrant the nullification of the election.
The three-man panel of justice led by Hon. Justice Abraham Georgewill, assisted by Folashade Ojo and Peter Obiora therefore upheld the declaration of Senator Lawan as duly elected senator representing the Borno Central senatorial district.
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Borno had on Friday 8th September dismissed the appelant – Hon. Mohammed Kumailia of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) petition and affirmed the election of Lawan who contested on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Lawan scored hundred and thirty-five thousand and forty-three 135,043, while Kumalia garnered sixty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-eight 63,338 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Hon . Kumalia and his party sought the nullification of the election, alleging that the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC were marred with irregularities.
Addressing Journalists in Maiduguri on the outcome of the verdict on Thursday, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan expressed satisfaction with the judgement and commended the judiciary for standing by justice.
According to him “I thank God for this victory at the Court of Appeal. I want to commend the Judiciary for standing by Justice. I also thank the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Babagana Zulum, the Deputy National Chairman of our great party, Hon Ali Bukar Dalori, state party Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, their Royal Highnesses, the Shehu of Borno, Bama and Dikwa Emirate Councils, Religious leaders, Borno elders, families and associates, all party supporters, electorates/constituents who stood firm by me during the judicial process. I promise to justify the confidence reposed in me before, during and after the general election, in which, the judiciary has also affirmed today. I promise not to let them down.”
