Isah Ashiru, the gubernatorial hopeful of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kaduna State elections held on March 18th, has taken decisive action following the recent tribunal judgment.
After a meeting with prominent party figures, Ashiru has instructed his legal team to appeal the tribunal’s decision to dismiss his petition.
Speaking at a press conference, the PDP candidate reiterated his stance that the election is far from conclusive.
He firmly contended that Governor Uba Sani’s claim of victory due to the tribunal’s verdict was misleading and not in line with the true spirit of the electoral process.
The tribunal’s ruling, which came on Thursday, was based on the assertion that Ashiru’s petition was filed beyond the specified timeframe prescribed by the Electoral Act
However, Ashiru while faulting the dismissal of his petition and the claim by Governor Uba that the tribunal upheld his election, says he will appeal the judgment at the court of appeal to address the grey areas raised by the tribunal.
While reacting to the move, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Justice, Sule Shuaibu, countered Ashiru’s claim, insisting that the tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate.
According to him, the judgment of the three-man panel was unambiguous and in line with extant electoral laws, and therefore asked the petitioners not to waste their resources appealing the judgment at court appeal. He believes doing so will amount to fruitless exercise.