By; IBRAHIM ADAMU & GOODNESS DAVID, Kaduna
Lawyer of Kaduna Central Senatorial Aspirant, Honourable Usman Ibrahim, popularly known as Sardaunan Badarawa in the just concluded people’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the forthcoming 2023 general election has revealed that he is in possession of video evidence showing alleged over-voting by delegates.
Samuel Atung, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN ) made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen at the Federal High Court, Kaduna.
The legal luminary stated that the primary election which produced Lawal Adamu (Mr. LA) as Kaduna Central PDP candidate was marred by over-voting and other irregularities.
He added that his client has in his possession, video and graphic evidence of over-voting by delegates which legal consequences he noted, is voiding and nullification of result of the primary election.
” After the Kaduna Central PDP Primary to select its candidate for the 2023 general election, our client wrote a petition to the party’s Appeal Panel challenging the outcome of the exercise.
” We had a video evidence to that effect and the committee considered our appeal and forwarded its recommendation to the Central Working Committee (CWC) which in its wisdom, called for a repeat of the primary election.
” The PDP wrote INEC, intimated the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and other relevant stakeholders of its decision to hold a repeat primary for Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, which was a welcome development.
” Unfortunately on the appointed date, our client, after mobilizing his supporters to the venue of the repeat primary, was told that the exercise would no longer hold due to the directives of the powers that be.
” We came to court today (Friday) seeking that the PDP be compelled not to forward the name of any candidate in the interest of justice and fairness for the 2023 general election until after a repeat primary election has taken place.
” We all know the legal consequences of over-voting as clearly spelt out in our legal jurisprudence which has the potentials of voiding an electoral result and process.
” We have already canvassed our position before the court which has made the matter a subjudice until the court considered judgement.
” The matter was for mention today, We have a motion on notice for an injunction restricting PDP from forwarding the name of any candidate to INEC until a repeat of the primary.
” Unfortunately the court did not seat today, the Judge, Justice Muhammad Garba Umar adjourned the case to 20 June 2022, ” he said.
