Appeal Court: Ishaku Duly Elected As Governor of Taraba
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Taraba Election Tribunal that scaked Governor Ishaku Darius from office and declared Amina Alhassan of the APC as governor.
In their ruling on Thursday, the Justice Abdul Aboki-led five-man bench of the appeal court heard three appeals and a cross-appeal by the APC and declared that Ishaku of the PDP was duly elected and dismissed the case of the APC and its governorship candidate.
The Justice Danladi Abubakar-led tribunal had on November 7 sacked Ishaku and declared All Progressives Congress’ Aisha Alhassan the winner.
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Five issues were up for determination; the first, whether the statement on oaths filed by APC’s Alhassan at the tribunal complied with S. 13 of Oaths Act; two, whether or not APC’s Alhassan introduced strange law and regulations in her petition; three, whether or not decision of the tribunal on PDP’s Gov.
Isahku’s non-qualification was right; four, whether or not the tribunal failed to review the evidence of one of PDP/Ishaku’s witnesses, and five, whether or not the tribunal was right to remove PDP’s Ishaku and declare APC’s Alhassan as winner.
The court in its ruling, resolved one and two against the PDP and Ishaku, stating that APC and Alhassan’s witness statements complied with Electoral Act as well as on alleged incompetence of the grounds of APC and Alhassan was untenable.
On issues three and five, the justices said the APC and Alhassan have no locus standi to complain of PDP’s failure to give 21-day notice to INEC; APC/Alhassan has no locus standi to complain about the improper conduct of PDP’s primary.
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The court therefore upheld Ishaku as duly elected Governor of Taraba State.
The venue of the ruling was jammed packed by supporters of the two candidates and parties.
