Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunals on Monday upheld the election of Bala Mohammed of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state.
Delivering judgement on a petition challenging the election of Mohammed, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Salihu Shuaibu, dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Mohammed Abubakar, saying the PDP candidate was duly elected with majority valid votes.
Shuaibu said INEC was right both in declaring the March 9 election as inconclusive, and in declaring Mohammed the winner of the re-run election that was held thereafter.
Mr shuaibu added that the petitioners failed to prove, beyond all reasonable doubts, the allegations of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act by the respondents.
“We shall not go into details in the petition; he who asserts must prove beyond all reasonable doubts,” he said.
He awarded N300,000 cost against the petitioners, saying the first, second and third respondents were to be given N100,000 each.
Three judges on the tribunal unanimously adopted the judgment.
Also in on Monday, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi affirmed the re-election of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and dismissed the petition of Mr Emmanuel Jime for lacking in merit.
Jime of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had challenged the return of Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on the grounds of substantial noncompliance with the provisions of Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.
Also joined in the petition were the PDP and INEC.
The petitioner alleged in his petition that Ortom was not dully elected by majority of lawful votes cast.
The APC governorship candidate also challenged the results declared in Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Ukum, Ushongo and Vandeikya.
