The Kebbi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, General Bello Sarkin Yaki (rtd.), on the grounds of failure to file pre-hearing notice and other processes within time frame.

General Bello Sarkin Yaki and PDP had challenged the victory of Bagudu on grounds that at the time of the election, he (Bagudu) was not qualified to contest the election into the office of the Governor of Kebbi State on alleged indictment for embezzlement and fraud.

The Tribunal Chairman, Hon. Justice Kazeem Aloba Olanrewaju, said after consideration of the arguments by both counsels,held that the petition was abandoned for failure to file their processes within time.

The tribunal, therefore, dismissed the petition for being time barred.

Sarkin Yaki, while. Responding to the ruling through the spokesperson of Sarkin/Tafida campaign organisation, Mallam Haruna Saidu said it is their belief that the case is still alive and will appeal the judgment.

He said: “It is our belief that this case is alive and will see the light of the day. We are going on appeal.”

He added: “With due respect, we don’t agree with the judgment of the tribunal. The tribunal has aired by misrepresenting our position vis-a-vis the issue for determination before the tribunal.

“There were a lot of misrepresentation of the Supreme Court judgment and other relevant law in the process of determining the issue before the tribunal.

“On the whole, relying on a lot of inapplicable case to avoid hearing a case on its merit is most unfortunate. Therefore, it is our belief that, this case is alive and will see the light of the day. We are going on appeal.”

The Chief of Staff to Governor Bagudu, Alh Sulaiman Argungu, described the judgment as “wonderful” and thanked lawyers of all parties for their patients and endurance to the logical conclusion of the case.

He called on party supporters to be law abiding, adding that “Bagudu is not APC governor alone, he is for all the people of Kebbi State. Therefore, all the people of the state should support him for the progress and development of the state.”

Counsel to Governor Bagudu, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), said the petition was abandoned before tribunal and all necessary processes were not filed within time.

He said “since the tribunal has announced making the petition time barred, the tribunal panel had no right to hear the petition.”

Counsel to the petitioner Barrister Tunde Onomusi, had also earlier argued that, all necessary documents were filed within time frame.

He had urged the tribunal to disregard the motion challenging the petition, adding that “the respondents’ counsel was only trying to buy time.”

Sarkin Yaki and PDP had joined Bagudu, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first, second and third respondents respectively.

•Photo shows Gov Bagudu.

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