Taraba Governorship: Appeal Court Reserves Judgment On Ishaku’s Election

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the duly elected governor of Taraba state is Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and not Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The court gave the verdict today, December 21, in support of a ruling of the state election petitions tribunal which nullified Ishaku’s victory in the April 11 and 25 polls in the state, Daily Sun reports.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on April 13, declared the governorship election in Taraba state inconclusive due to widespread irregularities. After a rerun on April 25, Ishaku was declared winner.

The election petition tribunal had on Saturday, November 7, held that all votes in Ishaku’s favour were wasted as the PDP did not conduct primaries hence Ishaku was not chosen by delegates of the party to represent it which was in violation of‎ the provisions of the Electoral Act.

READ ALSO: To Challenge Tribunal Verdict Is A Waste Of Time, Says APC

The tribunal ruled that Alhassan was the rightful winner of the polls.

Ishaku challenged the judgment of the tribunal at the Appeal Court.

Meanwhile, NAN reports that the Appeal Court reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Ishaku against the nullification of his electoral victory by a tribunal.

According to Justice Abdul Aboki, the court would announce the date for the judgment in the appeal later.

Solo Akuma (SAN), counsel to the PDP and Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to INEC urged the court to allow Ishaku’s appeal.

READ ALSO: Taraba: Ishaku, PDP Liable For Own Troubles — Group

However, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), counsel to Alhassan, filed a cross appeal, urging the court to dismiss Ishaku’s appeal and uphold the tribunal’s judgment.

Alhassan is currently serving as the minister of women affairs after being nominated and sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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