Speaker Luggerewo: Tribunal orders rerun in Akko central
…….. We’ll appeal – Luggerewo
The Election Tribunal for the National and State house assembly on Tuesday, ordered rerun of election in a polling unit of kumo East ward in Akko Local Government of Gombe State, and set aside the certificate of return issued to Abubakar Luggerewo, of the All Progressive Congress, the serving speaker of the state house of assembly, representing Akko central constituency.
According the panel led by Morenikeji Obadina, the tribunal acknowledged the submissions of the petitioners Bashir Abdullahi of the Peoples Democratic Party, challenging the elections in five polling units, in two wards of Kumo central and Kumo East of Akko Local Government of the state, where there were reports of election non compliance.
The tribunal agreed with the petitioner submissions challenging the cancellation of the three polling units in Kumo central ward stating there were no proof of over voting in these units of 001, 014, 024 in Kumo central and thus added the votes in favour of the petitioner and the respondent.
The tribunal also looked into the two remaining wards in Kumo East, it agreed with the petitioner for a rerun in one polling unit but however disagreed with the petitioner in another polling unit, stating “we cannot compel the people to come out and vote given reports of people unwilling to come and vote due insecurity during the elections.”
The tribunal thus ordered for a rerun in the said polling unit in Akko east ward within 30 days.
Counsel to the petitioner, Benjamin sati, praised the tribunal for the judgement adding it has set new grounds of jurisprudence in election tribunal cases
Meanwhile, Counsel to the respondent Caleb Ubale, disclosed he will appeal the judgement at the appeal court.
In an interview with our correspondent, Luggerewo who sounded unruffled assured that the party would appeal the judgement.
When asked if he followed the tribunal’s ruling he said, “I was not at the court but I was briefed.”
On the next move towards contesting the mandate, Luggerewo added, “The next line of action is we are going to appeal.”
