•Wamakko
The Election Petition Tribunal in Sokoto state has validated the election of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko representing Sokoto North Senatorial District and dismissed the petition filed by the opposition PDP and its candidate, Muhammad Manir Dan Iya for lacking in merit.
The Tribunal also awarded N250,000 cost to the respondent, reports The Nation.
The petitioners had challenged the respondent at the tribunal on the grounds of non-qualification, vote buying, and non-compliance with the electoral act.
Delivering judgment, the three-man tribunal panel led by Justice Josephine Echesi said the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt with evidence citing already decided cases.
The Judge also awarded N250,000 cost to the respondent.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has upheld the elections of two representative members, Hon. Bala Hassan Abubakar (APC) and Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP) dismissing the petition filed against the duo for lacking in merit.
Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar (PDP) and Hon. Bala Kokani of the (APC) were challenging the elections of the two representing Sokoto North /Sokoto South and Tambuwal / Kebbe Federal Constituencies of Sokoto state at the tribunal on the 2023 polls.
In its ruling, the tribunal led by Justice Echesi dismissed the petition on grounds that it lacked merit and could not evidently prove its case.
It also awarded N250,000 cost to the respondent against Hon. Kokani.
