By: AUSTINE AGBO EMMANUEL, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned the case filed by Engr. Mike Ayuba Auta of Labour Party (LP) against Barrister Marshall Katung to June 1 and 2, 2023.
One of the counsels representing Auta, Sir Ben Churchill Aniekwene while addressing journalists shortly after the adjournment, said the pre-hearing session for the case has closed and the case has been adjourned for hearing.
He said Auta and the Labour Party are urging INEC to upturn the earlier declaration and announce their candidate winner of the February 25 National Assembly election, haven scored the highest number of votes cast.
He said, “What happened today is beautiful. Pleading has been closed. The pre-hearing session that commenced much earlier before today was closed and the report issued and the matter adjourned for 1st and 2nd June for hearing.
“The petition has a compound of prayers. Substantially, we are urging that the third respondent which is INEC should upturn the election, cancel the election and return us as candidate duly elected, haven scored majority of votes that were cast in that Senatorial district.
“Our candidate, Mike Auta won the election and we have our proof. So that’s our major prayer, that Auta should be declared winner of the election and nothing more,” he said.
It would be recalled that Engr. Auta dragged Marshall and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) before the tribunal demanding for upturning the February 25 Senatorial election over alleged rigging.
