Judge denies nullifying Abia gov’ship election

AFederal High Court in Kano has denied nullifying the candidature of the Abia governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti.

The court, however, said it nullified the election of the candidates for Kano Labour Party (LP) that contested during the 2023 General Election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a plaintiff, Mr Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim, had filed an application seeking the court to revoke and set aside the certificate of return issued to all LP candidates declared winner in Kano and the 36 states of the federation including the FCT Abuja.

NAN reports that the respondents in the suit are: Labour Party and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa said the candidates who participated in the 2023 general election in Abia were not parties before his court.

“This court lacks jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of a certificate of return.

“They are at liberty to seek redress in the appropriate Division of the court,” he said

He said INEC was bound to insist on receiving the registered members of the first respondent and that of other political parties 30 days before primary election in compliance with section 77(3) of the electoral act 2022.

The section states that a party that has not complied with the section 77 (2)(3) of the electoral act 2022 cannot be declared winner of the election.

The court declared the primary election of LP in Kano as null and void”, he said said.

Earlier reports yesterday said the court nullified the candidature of Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).

The court was also reported to have annulled the candidature of all the contestants that LP fielded in Abia and Kano states during the elections.