close
Sunday, October 1, 2023

PDP rejects tribunal ruling affirming APC’s Ahmed Aliyu as Sokoto governor 

The party assured their supporters that they were part of the struggle and shall continue to pursue the case lawfully. 

• October 1, 2023
Governor Ahmed Aliyu (Photo credit: Vanguard)
Governor Ahmed Aliyu (Photo credit: Vanguard)

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Saturday’s tribunal judgement upholding the election of Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto.

In a statement signed by the PDP candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Sokoto, Sa’idu Umar, he stressed that the PDP remained confident and hopeful in the judicial processes to reclaim his mandate in a higher court.

“I wish to express our deep appreciation to the people of Sokoto state for support and prayers since we began the struggle to reclaim our stolen mandate.

“We also give all gratitude to Allah that we have successfully reached the first milestone in our quest to serve the good people of Sokoto state through participation in the Democratic process.

“Our ambition is to render service by the approval and mandate of our people through the instrument of a free and fair election,” Mr Umar said.

He reassured their supporters and the electorates that they were part of the struggle and shall continue to pursue the same with zeal and commitment.

“Today’s ruling of the Governorship Election Tribunal is only a stage in our struggle to reclaim that mandate of the electorate, who are confident of our sincerity of purpose and competence to deliver service and good leadership.

“My running mate and I and indeed our party, recognize the role of our nation’s Judiciary, as the last hope of the common man and we are well aware that it is only through recourse to it that justice can be attained,” he said.

He further called on supporters to remain focused, calm, law-abiding and rededicate themselves to the task of retrieving the mandate through the law.

The Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday dismissed the petition against Governor Aliyu and his Deputy, Idris Gobir, filed by Mr Umar of PDP.

Mr Umar is challenging the election of Mr Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Gobir over alleged non-qualification and electoral fraud during the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

In a unanimous judgement, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Haruna Mshelia, held that the petitioners were unable to prove the six grounds formulated in the petition.

He said that the grounds bordered on alleged ineligibility for Messrs Aliyu and Gobir to contest, falsification of certificates, variation of names, election frauds and non compliance with electoral guidelines.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Peter Obi

Politics

New Nigeria still possible at 63, Peter Obi assures Nigerians

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 national election, said that Nigeria’s situation might be critical, but certainly not hopeless.

Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Politics

CBN under Buhari was den of corruption; I’ll expose it: Tinubu

The president said his “special investigator will soon present his findings on past lapses and how to prevent similar reoccurrence.”

Gavel

States

Ekiti magistrate court sentences 33 for flouting monthly sanitation laws

The culprits were sentenced to three months imprisonment each with an option of a five thousand naira fine.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

NationWide

NDLEA arrests wanted kingpin, Chadian, others over four tons of drugs

In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, the NDLEA said the suspect, Obiorah Chigozie, had been on the wanted list of the agency since September 15.

President Bola Tinubu

NationWide

Speech by President Tinubu on Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary

“On this solemn yet hopeful day, let us commend our founding fathers and mothers. Without them, there would be no modern Nigeria,” Mr Tinubu’s speech partly read.

Abia Governor, Alex Otti [Photo: Facebook]

States

Abia partnering FG to revamp critical federal roads, says Gov Otti

The governor said plans were underway to commence the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Ohanku Roads in Aba.