The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today issue certificates of return to 10 members of Hon. Aminu Masari –led faction of the Katsina State Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) that won the January 13, 2011 primaries organized by the leadership of the party.
A source close to INEC disclosed this to LEADERSHIP last night. The source added that the electoral body would also withdraw the certificates of return earlier issued to two senators and eight House of Representatives members of the Senator Yakubu Garba Lado faction of the CPC.
The source further confided in LEADERSHIP that “, The? commission is thinking in the direction of giving the certificates of return to Masari’s faction on the grounds that the members were the ones that won the CPC primaries conducted by the leadership of the party on January 13, 2011 list just as the list was submitted to INEC accordingly.
“Since the Supreme Court has said that it would? not dabble into party’s internal affairs in line with section 87(4)( b)( ii),( c)(ii) and (9) of the Electoral Act 2010. In addition, the apex court also stated that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter. INEC has no alternative than to withdraw the certificates of return earlier issued to? 10 members of Senator Lado’s faction in the National Assembly and re-issue them to Masari –led? 10 lawmakers initially forwarded to INEC”.
The affected Senator Lado faction lawmakers are Senator Abdu Umar ‘Yandoma (representing Katsina North) and SenatorAhmad Sani Stores (representing? Katsina Central) . The other affected eight members of the House of Representatives are Hon.? Murtala Isa (? Sabuwa-Faskari-Kankara Federal constituency) and?? Muntari Dandutse ( Funtua-Dandume Constituency.
Others include Hon. Musa Salisu ( Kankia-Kusada-Ingawa) ;? Aminu Ashiru (Mani-Bindawa Federal Constituency;? Umar Adamu Katsayal, (Daura-Mai’adua-Sandamu Constituency);? Muhammad Tukur (Katsina Central); , Tasi’u Doguro (Mashi-Dutsi Constituency);? Abdu Dankama (representing Jibia-Kaita Federal Constituency).
Members of Masari’s faction, who will receive their? certificates of return from INEC today? are Sadiq Yar’Adua; (Katsina Central Senatorial District), Hadi A Sirika; (Katsina North), Ahmed B Kaita; (Kankia/Kusada/ Ingawa Federeal Constituency), Salisu Salisco; (Kaita/ Jibiya Constituency), Shiek Umar Abubakar; (Katsina federal constituency), Salisu Ado Daura; (Daura/ Maiaduwa/ Sandamu constituency), Isa Lawa Doro; (Mani/ Bindawa constituency), Sani Bello Mashi; (Mashi/ Dutsi constituency), Abbas Machika; (Kankara/ Faskari/ Sabuwa constituency) and Dr Mansur Funtua;? (Funtua/ Dandume constituency).
One of the lawyers to Masari’s faction, Mr. Alasa Ismail, also? confirmed the development, saying that his clients will receive their certificates of return from INEC today.
The Supreme Court had on December 16, 2011 held that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the appeal by the CPC lawmakers.?
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