Appeal Court Upholds Govs. Aliyu, Kwanwaso ’s Election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday affirmed the decision of the Niger State Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the election of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu as the winner of the April 26,2011 governorship election in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Uwani Abba Aji, who read the judgement, dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alhaji Ibrahim Bako Shettima for his failure to produce enough evidence to prove the allegation that the April 26, 2011 gubernatorial election in Niger State was marred by rigging and irregularities.

The presiding judge said the appeal filed by the CPC was dismissed for lack of merit.

In a reaction, Governor Aliyu expressed satisfaction with the decision of the court, saying the PDP-led government in Niger State had been vindicated that indeed he was the one duly elected as governor in the April 26,2011 governorship poll in the state.

In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Governor Aliyu thanked the people of the state for persevering and staying calm since the CPC filed its petition challenging his victory last May.

The statement thanked supporters for their continued belief in the PDP and its leadership while urging? opposition parties in the state to join hands with the present government to move the state forward.

Also speaking to journalists at the court premises in Abuja after the judgement, the CPC gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Bako Shettima said politics was not a do-or-die affair, and as such he had accepted the judgement in good faith.

He described the decision of the appellate court as the will of God and assured that CPC would continue to offer positive advice to the Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu- led PDP government in the state, with a view to moving the state forward.

The district manager, however, appealed to residents to form vigilante groups in their various domains and streets to check the activities of those behind the dastardly act, adding that in the face of current lean resources, it was costing the company extra effort to get replacement for vandalised equipment and sub-stations.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sittting in Kaduna yesterday dismissed the appeal filed by the governship candidate of the ANPP in Kano State, Alhaji Sangir? Takai, for lack of merit.

The court said that Takai did not file the appeal within 60 days as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

The court presided over by Justice Lawal Garba, upheld the tribunal’s judgement in?? favour of Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the PDP.