By Ibrahim Adam from Kano
INEC, APC and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje have adopted their written final addresses submitted before the Tribunal.
The petitioners; PDP and its candidate Engr Abba K Yusuf have also adopted their response on written addresses.
While arguing during presentation Wednesday, all the respondents counsel Ofiong Ofiong SAN, Chief Alex Enziyon and Chief Raji SAN had unanimously requested the Tribunal to dismiss the case as the counsel to the petitioners did not prove their claims.
However, on a response to the submissions of all the respondents, the counsel to PDP and its candidate Engr Abba K Yusuf, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, cited a point of reference from the content of INEC’s final written address that the electoral umpire proven the petitioners claim of conducting a free, fair and credible election on the 9th of March, 2019.
Chief Kanu Agabi further stressed that INEC has admitted in its final address that the PDP candidate was leading with lawful votes and that results were collated and announced.
According to him, INEC has later decided to cancel 207 polling units, which was contrary to the provision of the law.
“INEC has announced the result of the 9th March, so to us this case is very simple, all we pray from the honourable Tribunal is the declaration of a winner based on the lawful votes cast, which is the PDP candidate Engr. Abba K Yusuf as contained in our evidence number one, a certified true copy of the state collation result sheet issued by the INEC itself,” Agabi said.
The chairman of the Tribunal Justice Halima Shamaki Muhammad reserved judgment and adjourned the sitting.
Meanwhile, As at today, the tribunal has a maximum of 22 days to deliver its judgement on the suit filed by Engr Abba K Yusuf and the PDP against the declaration of Ganduje as Kano State Governor