Tribunal upholds Saraki’s election

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Ilorin yersterday upheld the election of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the senator representing Kwara state central.

The Peoples Democratic party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, had challenged the victory of Senate President Saraki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the tribunal, claiming he received the poll.

Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Josiah Majebi, in his two-hour ruling, pushed aside the PDP candidate’s petition for lack of advantage, competence and substance.

He held that the petitioner didn't prove his case that the March 28 election, which produced Senator Saraki, was characterized by means of malpractices.

Justice Majebi said the petitioner failed to set up any reality that there have been malpractices in wards in Ilorin South, Ilorin East and Asa nearby governments, including that the demand for the cancellation of the outcome was no longer tenable.

“in accordance with the Electoral Act, any petition to an election need to be filed within 21 days. The petitioner did not file his petition within the period, but instead filed outside the scheduled time. thus, the petition lacks merit that can warrant the cancellation of the poll,” the tribunal said. 

Justice Majebi said the evidence raised by the petitioner that the election did not conform to the Electoral Act might no longer be substantiated, including that the proof tendered before the tribunal were hearsay and must no longer be admissible as genuine proof that would negate the election of the respondent.

He held that the petitioner failed to establish the expert oral evidence on the forensic analysis, adding that it could not be admitted as a factor to cancel the election.

The chairman hailed the parties for their comportment and understanding.

One of Senator Saraki’s lawyers, Mr. Kehinde Eleja (SAN), said the ruling “is an erudite delivery.”

He said: “What happened is not a surprise to us, as we looked at the processes filed and felt the tribunal’s position is right.”

Counsel to the petitioner, John Oshiagala, said: “We have done our best, but God gives power to those He wishes.”

The state APC hailed the judgment, describing it as an affirmation of the mandate given to the Senate president by the people of Kwara Central.