Tribunal Nullifies House of Representatives Election Results, Cites Forgery.
The National and State House of Assembly elections petition tribunal in Kano has delivered a landmark verdict, nullifying the election of Muktar Umar Yerima, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, as the representative for Tarauni Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The ruling comes after a three-man panel led by Justice I.P. Chima found that Muktar Umar Yerima had committed forgery by presenting a falsified primary school certificate during his candidacy. The tribunal’s decision was based on the petition filed by Hafizu Kawu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who challenged Yerima’s eligibility to contest in the election.
Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Yerima the winner of the House of Representatives election for Tarauni Federal Constituency, the tribunal’s findings painted a different picture.
In its ruling, the tribunal emphasized that Yerima’s presentation of forged documents violated the principles of transparency, integrity, and honesty that are essential for public officeholders. The tribunal maintained that the NNPP candidate’s claim of a name change in 2022 was insufficient to counter the evidence presented against him.
Read Also May APC, Bola Tinubu and Akpabio never happen to us again
The tribunal highlighted that Muktar Umar Yerima had consistently used the names “Umar Mukhtar Zakari” in his international passports since 2009, raising questions about the authenticity of his later name change. Additionally, the tribunal pointed out that the primary school Yerima claimed to have attended, Hausawa Primary School, disowned the presented certificate.
As a consequence of the tribunal’s decision, Yerima’s victory was overturned, and his election was declared null and void. The tribunal declared that the NNPP had no legitimate candidate in the election and, consequently, all votes cast in favor of Yerima were deemed wasted.
Pay Attention To Former Chelsea Attacker Chris Sutton Expresses Concerns Over Manchester United’s New Signing Rasmus Hojlund
Furthermore, the tribunal instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return that had been previously issued to Yerima. This verdict serves as a strong reminder of the critical role integrity and authenticity play in the democratic process.
The ruling has generated discussions among legal experts, political analysts, and citizens alike, as it underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards and qualifications in electoral contests.
The future course of action regarding the representation of Tarauni Federal Constituency remains uncertain. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this tribunal decision reverberate through the political landscape, prompting reflection on the quality and authenticity of candidates vying for public office.
