The Justice Angela Otaluka-led National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal (NAEPT), sitting in the Minna High Court complex, has affirmed the election of Murtala Badaru Suleja of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the member representing Suleja state constituency in the March 18, 2023 state House of Assembly election.
While delivering judgement on the petition filed by Nasiru Alhassan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he declared that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations raised in his petition.
Nasiru Alhassan had approached the tribunal on three grounds in his petition: that the second respondent in the petition was not qualified to contest the election as at the time he contested, that he was not duly nominated by the third respondent, and that he was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.
He claimed further that the second respondent election was not in compliance with the provisions of the Election Act 2022 and also not in compliance with Section 104 of the Evidence Act, and therefore prayed the tribunal to nullify the election and declare him the rightful winner.
During the pre-hearing of the tribunal, Chris Osuagu, the defence counsel to the third respondent, told the tribunal that it lacks jurisdiction to hear the petition on the ground that it was purely a pre-election matter, which was earlier decided at the Federal High Court in Minna.
Chris Osuagu, in his preliminary objection filed at the tribunal, prayed the court to strike out the petition as it has already suffered defeat at the Federal High Court and should not be entertained again.
All the evidence and witnesses, as well as the exhibits tendered before the tribunal, could not be substantiated by the petitioner.
After painstakingly reviewing all the evidence and submitting both counsels to the parties, the three members of the tribunal unanimously agreed that the petitioner failed to prove his allegations, and Justice Angela Otaluka then dismissed the petition for lack of merit.
While dismissing the petition, she then awarded a cost of three hundred thousand naira to the petitioner.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgement, the defendant, Murtala Badaru, described the judgement as a victory for democracy and for the people of Suleja constituency.
He said the victory has vindicated him, stating that it was an indication that he is loved by the people of Suleja constituency.
He assured that this will spur him to give the people of his constituency the needed representation that will positively impact their well-being.
He extended the hand of fellowship to his opponent to move Suleja forward.