Tribunal Declares APC Lawmaker’s Seat Vacant, Orders Fresh Elections

The election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Suleja constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Murtala Badaru, has been voided by the State and National Assembly elections petitions tribunal in Minna, the Niger state capital.

Shaibu Iya of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged the election of Badaru on the grounds of certificate forgery and underage.

Vanguard reports that Olatunde Oshodi, chairman of the tribunal, said Badaru was not found guilty of certificate forgery as alleged by the petitioner.

However, Oshodi nullified the election on the ground that Badaru has not attained the constitutional age of 30 years, required to be a lawmaker.

He nullified the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commisssion (INEC) to conduct fresh elections within 90 days‎.

Reacting, Chris Osuagwu, counsel to Badaru, told journalists that his client would appeal the judgment.

Meanwhile, the tribunal had affirmed the election of Musa Sule (APC-Kachia) in the state house of assembly.

The tribunal held that Ibrahim Ndaman of the PDP, failed to prove‎ beyond reasonable doubt that Sule forged his certificate from Zungeru Polytechnic and was an ex-convict.

It dismissed the case for lack of merit and ordered the petitioner to pay the sum of N100, 000 each to the first (Sule) and second (APC) respondents in the matter as cost.‎

See Also: PDP Re-brands, To Fields Young Candidates

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