By Ken Afor
Two House of Representatives members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Ahmadu Chindo from Katsina Central Federal l Constituency, Katsina and Ismail Dalha, member representing Kankia/Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency have had their elections annulled by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Katsina over forgery of their primary school certificates.
In a judgment delivered by Justice O. Ogunfowora, “the return of the first respondent, Aminu Ahmadu Chindo of the PDP, as member Katsina Central Federal Constituency, Katsina State of the House of Representatives is hereby nullified and set aside.”
Also, that of Dalha from Kankia/Kusada/Ingawa federal constituency, Katsina was asked to vacate his seat ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Hon. Abubakar Yahya of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who came second in the election with 31,017 votes.
In another judgment, the tribunal ruled that the first petitioner, Sani Aliyu, is re-elected as member of the Katsina Central Federal Constituency of the House of Representatives, and a cost of N200,000.00 was given to the petitioner against the first and second defendants.
It was revealed in a petition filed by Sani Danlami against the declaration and return of Chindo, with PDP and INEC as other respondents.
On Chindo’s certificate forgery, he was accused by Danlami – the first respondent of presenting a forged primary school testimonial, which the court said the defendant had failed to prove that he had actually attended the then Kofar Soro Primary School.
Danlami’s lead counsel, Earnest Obunadike explained to the court citing section 66(1)(i) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), presentation of a false certificate to INEC is a disqualifying factor for any person vying for either Reps membership or a Senator.
In another judgement, the tribunal had declared inconclusive the election result of Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa Federal Constituency, where Hon. Dalhatu Shehu Tafoki, a candidate of the APC, challenged the victory of Hon. Mohammed Jamilu of the PDP, who was returned by INEC.
In its ruling the tribunal ordered a fresh election in some Polling Units (PUs) and supplementary election in other PUs of the constituency.
One of the counsels to Hon Tafoki, Barrister Sagir Tahir, explained that while over voting was recorded in some polling units, voting did not take place in others.
To this, the court in its wisdom adopted the lead of margin principle and ordered for supplementary elections to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised.
Also, the tribunal in Katsina declared the election in Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Federal Constituency inconclusive, where INEC returned Hon. Iliyasu Abubakar of the PDP.
Hon. Abubakar’s victory was challenged by the APC candidate, Ahmed Zakka Abdulkadir.
The tribunal ordered for fresh elections in some polling units and rerun in other polling units of the constituency.
