Tribunal dismisses PDP petition against APC Rep member

The election petitions tribunal for the Katsina State 2024 rerun elections has dismissed a petition against the member representing Faskari/Sabuwa/Kankara constituency, Alhaji Dalhatu Tafoki.

The election tribunal court also reaffirmed the election of Tafoki as the duly elected member representing the constituency.

The three-member panel, chaired by Justice K.A. Ojiaka, dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Alhaji Jamilu Muhammad.

The tribunal also ordered Muhammad to pay a fine of N150,000 each to three respondents.

Supreme News reports that the respondents are Tafoki, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The petitioner alleged that the election that returned Tafoki marred by irregularities, multiple thumb printing, disenfranchisement of voters and non-compliance of electoral act.

The tribunal unanimously dismissed the petition for lacking merit because the petitioner failed to present witnesses to prove his case.

“Theissue of multiple thumbprints in an election is an act of criminality; therefore, the petitioner must prove beyond reasonable doubt,” the tribunal held.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the judgement, Malam Isiyaku Wada-Faskari, the senior legislative aide to Tafoki, lauded the tribunal, saying it was a good development.

He therefore called on the PDP candidate to join hands with the winner to ensure the development of the constituency in the interest of the people.

Supreme News reports that in the 2023 general elections, the INEC declared Muhammed the winner of the election, but a ruling by the Election Petition Tribunal declared the election inconclusive.

And also, INEC was ordered to conduct re-elections in 16 polling units in Kankara and four in Faskari Local Government Areas (LGAs).