Sagir Koki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party defeated Muntari Ishaq Yakasai of the All Progressives Congress in the Kano Municipal House of Representatives election that was held on February 25, 2023, according to the National/State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which met in Kano on Thursday.
In its ruling, the three-judge panel presided over by Justice Flora Azinge found that the petitioner had failed to substantiate the claims of excessive voting and a failure to collate results in 25 of the constituency’s polling places during the election.
The tribunal claimed that the petitioner was unable to substantiate his claims of irregularities since he provided insufficient and improbable witnesses.
The tribunal also concluded that the petitioner’s witnesses were “second-hand and hearsay witnesses.”
“In their testimonies on oath, the witnesses testified that they were not in polling units, where the allegations of overvoting occurred. They are not worthy to believe.
”None of the witnesses adduced that evidence derived from their direct experience are not credible to be believed.
“He also presented irrelevant documents to prove the allegations of irregularities, overvoting, and not being in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.
“The tribunal will not grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner against the respondents without him presenting the BVAS Machine and the Voter register in all the polling units where the overvoting is alleged to have occurred.
“The petitioner failed to discharge the burden of proof against the respondents.
“We have no duty to stop the return and declaration of Sagir Koki by INEC, as the winner of the Kano Municipal Federal of House of Representatives Election held on 25th February 2023.
“The sum of N100,000 cost is hereby awarded in favour of the Respondents against the Petitioner.
“The petition is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence,” Justice Flora ruled.
