The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, has affirmed the election of Sen. Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the elected governor of Kaduna State.
While Delivering the judgment on Friday, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the tribunal acted in error when it depended on inadmissible evidence to order the conduct of supplementary polls in 22 polling units of four Local Government Areas where the exercise was deemed inconclusive.
The court stated that a key witness called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the tribunal hearing gave hearsay evidence as he was not present when the malpractices he alleged happened.
The appeal court held that the allegations of deduction of votes, stuffing of ballot boxes, and mutilation of sensitive electoral materials made by the said witness were born out of hearsay.
The court also held that the tribunal was right in dismissing the petition of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Isa Ashiru because the petitioners had abandoned their petition for their failure to apply for the issuance of a pre-hearing information sheet after the close of pleadings as required by paragraph 18(1) of the first schedule to the Electoral Act 2022.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has applauded the Court of Appeal’s verdict affirming the Kaduna State Election Tribunal Judgement which upheld his victory as the winner of the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections in Kaduna State, as well as dismissing the petition against him, describing the verdict as a “testament to the strength of our legal institutions, a win for democracy and a validation of the people’s will.”
While expressing joy and gratitude at the confirmation of his victory by the Appeal Court, Governor Uba Sani also extended a hand of fellowship to all opposing sides in a bid to move Kaduna state forward in tandem with the SUSTAIN Kaduna agenda.
“I received the news of the Appeal Court verdict , I acknowledge and appreciate the diligence and thoroughness of the Kaduna State Elections Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court for arriving at this verdict.
I have always remained confident in our judicial process. It is now time to peacefully move forward and continue to work assiduously for the people of Kaduna without distractions as the task ahead of us is huge.
The Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and my humble self, appreciate the All Progressives Congress family, and the good people of Kaduna for their unflinching support during this entire process
I urge my brothers in the opposition to accept this verdict in good faith and as the will of the people. It is time to come together as one to move our great state forward.” Governor Sani stated.
Additionally, Governor Uba Sani has promised to continue to encourage dialogue with all stakeholders and to maintain an open-door policy for well-meaning citizens.