*scuttles ADHA Speaker’s Senatorial Ticket
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Federal High Court I in Yola, Adamawa State on Monday, nullified the primary election of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) which produced the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas, as candidate for Central Senatorial District.
The election was invalidated on grounds that an aspirant, Auwal D. Tukur, who participated in the exercise did not resign his appointment as the Chairman Governing Council of the State University Mubi, before contesting.
Auwal Tukur’s participation in the exercise without tendering his resignation letter brought about the nullification of the election which saw the emergence of Iya Abbas, as flagbearer.
Aside the nullification of the exercise, the court barred the party from fielding a candidate for the district in the 2023, general election since the entire exercise was voided.
The court’s judgement scuttled the chance of Iya Abbas, who represents Uba/Gaya constituency at the State House of Assembly from contesting in the 2023 polls to represent the district.
The court presided by Justice A. M. Anka, nullified the election while delivering judgement in suit instituted by an aspirant, Ibrahim Mustapha (Baba10).
However, the judge declined to order for fresh primary election; instead, declared that anyone who is not satisfied with the court’s verdict has the right to appeal the decision.
Our medium was informed that the Speaker is considering appealing the decision in order to seek redress.
Ibrahim, sued the party, Iya Abbas, Auwal Tukur and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where he asked the court to nullify the election which according to him, was marred by irregularities.
He told the court that aside concocting or doctoring the list of delegates, Auwal Tukur as well as some delegates who participated in the exercise were government appointees in an outright violation of the electoral act.
Meanwhile, the court presided by Justice Anka, on Monday, struck out a case filed by an aspirant, Mohammed Murtala Modibbo.
In his suit, Modibbo, had alleged that the Speaker submitted falsified/fake documents to the PDP Screening Committee and urged the court to declare the election conducted on May 23, 2022 null and void.
Delivering judgement on the case, Anka, held that the suit cannot be resolved vide originating summons or base on assertion as contained therein in the affidavit tendered.
Justice Anka, declared that the mode of commencement of the action via originating summons was wrong and cannot be sustained, insisting that the foundation is shady and shaky.
