With his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu has declared a victory for democracy and for all Nigerians.
According to a report by Infostride News, Justice Haruna Mshelia, who serves as Chairman of the Tribunal, issued a unanimous ruling finding that the petitioners had failed to substantiate each of the petition’s six reasons.
He explained that allegations of election fraud, name changes, certificate forgeries, and other irregularities meant that Aliyu and Gobir were ineligible to run.
Aliyu’s response was released to the media on Sunday in the form of a statement signed by his spokesman, Malam Abubakar Bawa.
A statement by him read as follows: “Striking all the six grounds by the tribunal’s Judges in the unanimous judgement indicated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate had no clear evidences to discredit the free and fair election.”
He said the ruling proved the nation’s judiciary was independent, and that “the ruling is a welcome development to people of the state and all lovers of democracy within and outside Nigeria.”
Aliyu said that the tribunal’s decision to uphold his election as governor will be a boost to his administration, and he praised the panel for doing the right thing and being fair after hearing arguments from all sides of the lawsuit contesting his victory in the 2023 election.
With an eye on reinforcing the state’s even socioeconomic growth, he urged the opposition in the state to join hands with his administration to carry the state forward on the basis of patriotism.
Aliyu praised the people of the state for their unwavering support and prayers and reminded them that 2027 was not far away, so they needed to gear up for the next war now that 2023 was over and done with.
“We welcome any and all good-hearted people who want to work with us to improve our State.
He urged his fellow citizens to “work together to make Sokoto State better” because “Sokoto State is for all of us.”
He promised the citizens of the State that his administration would work tirelessly to implement programs that would benefit the populace as a whole.
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