Bauchi Election Tribunal reserves judgement in Abubakar’s petition against Governor Mohammed

The tribunal hearing petitions challenging the March 18 governorship election results in Bauchi State has reserved judgment on a petition filed by Amb. Saddique Baba Abubakar, candidate for governor of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), challenging the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This happened after everyone involved in the case had settled on permanent mailing addresses.

Nonetheless, the tribunal stated during the hearing that it would notify the parties of the day on which it would give its decision.

According to the media, the suit names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first respondent, Governor Bala Mohammed as the second respondent, and his Deputy, Jatau, as the third.

The petitioners’ principal counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, adopted their final written address, arguing that the pleadings and evidence presented to the Tribunal are decisive in whether or not the matter proceeds.

He argued that the putative Election in the areas cited in their petition should be ruled void based on Section 73, Subsection 2 of the Electoral Act 2022 as modified.

This is as he argued before the Tribunal that the Election was riddled with anomalies and the petition should be granted.

In their closing argument, however, Counsel for the Respondents Chris Uche argued that the petition should be dismissed since the petitioners had failed to show the accusations made in the petition.

Counsel for the Respondents contended that the March 18th, 2023 Governorship Election in Bauchi State was conducted in considerable accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022.

As a result, he requested that the court throw out the petition.