Tribunal begins hearing of Ardo’s petition praying for cancellation of Adamawa guber polls
The guvernorship election tribunal sitting in Yola has today commenced hearing of a Petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Umar Ardo praying for the cancellation of the polls based on a number of issues including violence and substantial non compliance with election regulations.
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Recalled that last week, the election petition tribunal has subpoenaed suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, a national commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Abdullahi Zuru and an official of the Department of Secret Security Service (DSS), Halilu Suleiman.
A court process addressed to the trio through the leadership of their respective organizations seen by this reporter urged them to unfailingly avail themselves before the tribunal to give evidences over the conduct of the election.
Ardo and his running mate alongside his party (SDP) in their petition said the violence and sundry election malpractices that took place during the election were unacceptable as they represent gross threat to democracy and rule of law hence praying for the conduct of fresh governorship election in the state.
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But in his arguments lead counsel to the INEC Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) told the court that the subpoenas should have been personally served to Hudu not lNEC on account of his suspension by the election umpire.
He also prayed the court to discountenance the positions of the petitioners on the grounds that the electoral body has conducted a credible polls.
But in a counter argument, the lead counsel to Dr Umar Ardo and others Sylvester Imhanobe argued that Hudu was only suspended and until INEC made a clear statement on his sack, he still remain a bonafide staff of the electoral commission.
He noted that based on incontrovertible and documented evidences occasioned by some actions of INEC including suspending the 18th March polls and the legal actions it took against the suspended INEC REC, a case of impropriety has been established.
Imhanobe noted that it was based on such incontrovertible evidences that the court admitted the INEC document brought before the tribunal.
After listening to the arguments of the two sides, the lead judge of the tribunal Hon Justice Theodora Obi Uluru adjoined the case to 21 July 20 23 for final address.
