GLITZ TV
In Sokoto, Members of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are expressing optimism as the Supreme Court prepares to make its decision on the Sokoto State governorship election petition today.
Hassan Sentimental, the state publicity secretary of the PDP, shared his party’s hopeful stance, stating that they are optimistic about receiving justice from the Supreme Court. In a conversation with our correspondent on Thursday, he said, “We are confident that we will receive justice in court on Thursday, based on our presentation.”
Isa Acida, the state chairman of the ruling APC, declined to comment on the case and the expectations of his party. He explained that it would be inappropriate for him to discuss a case that is scheduled to be decided in court on Thursday.
The petition before the Supreme Court was filed by Sai’du Umar, the PDP candidate in the March 18 governorship election. Umar’s petition was previously dismissed by both the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. In their appeal to the Supreme Court, Umar and the PDP listed nine grounds on which they are seeking to overturn the judgments of the lower courts.
According to the appellants‘ documents, the Court of Appeal’s judgment is claimed to be against the weight of evidence and should be set aside. The Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously affirmed the election of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
Umar and the PDP had alleged that Governor Aliyu and his deputy, Idris Gobir, were ineligible to participate in the governorship election. However, the three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously held that the appellants failed to substantiate their allegations of irregularities, noncompliance, and non-qualification.
The final decision on the Sokoto State governorship election petition now rests with the Supreme Court.
