By; IBRAHIM ADAMU, Kaduna
Hon. Usman Ibrahim popularly called Sardaunan Badarawa has won a court case he instituted challenging emergence of Lawal Adamu, known as Mr. LA as Kaduna Central candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections, with the judge, ordering a repeat of primary election within two weeks.
In his ruling on Wednesday October 2, 2022, Justice Muhammad Garba Umar of Kaduna High Court granted the prayers of Sardaunan Badarawa, who insisted that the party’s primary election conducted in April was marred by over-voting and other irregularities, which he contended, affects credibility of the exercise.
The plaintiff, through his lead counsel, Samuel Atung (SAN), submitted that constitutional provisions and Electoral Acts 2022 as amended, were not followed in the conduct of the party’s primary, which declared Mr. LA victorious.
He therefore, demanded its nullification by compelling PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh exercise.
In his reaction shortly after the ruling, counsel to the plaintiff, Samuel Atung (SAN) commended the judge for standing with justice and fairness.
He described the judgement as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, adding that good precedence had been set and new chapter opened in legal history of Nigeria.
” Today is a good day for the rule, constitutionalism and above all internal democracy within our political parties.
” Judgement of the court has just been delivered with the entire claims of the plaintiff upheld by the honourable Court.
” Our claim basically was for a repeat primary election initially ordered by PDP National Working Committee ( NWC ) to be held by 4 June.
” But for reasons best known to the NWC the scheduled primary was not held as scheduled.
” So as a loyal party member, our client approached the High Court for an interpretation of Provisions of Section 84 of Electoral Acts 2022.
” INEC and PDP are ordered to conduct a repeat of primary within 14 days and counsel to INEC has given her words to the court that the commission will comply by the order of the court.
” By this judgement, it means that objections of the defendant had been dismissed and thrown out in their entirety by the Judge,” Atung clarified.
Sardaunan Badarawa in his reaction saluted the judiciary for its doggedness and courage to stand by the truth and rule of law.
” I am encouraged by this landmark victory of today to always stand by the truth and remain a loyal party member whose driving force is rooted in faith in our democracy and the rule of law.
” I pledge my loyalty to my party and I will be propelled to do more by this court pronouncement to contribute my quota in the growth and development of PDP in my state and beyond,” he vowed.
All efforts to get the reaction of Mr. LA proved abortive as our correspondent was told he was away from the state for private engagements.
His lawyer also declined to grant an interview to newsmen after the court judgement.
