Fresh Battle

Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman, INEC

Sacked by Election Petition Tribunal, some elected House of Representatives members from Plateau and Katsina States face another round of contest.
By Olawale Abideen
Aside the anxiety over incessant ethno-religious violence, Plateau State is presently unsettled following the Court of Appeal's ruling that nullified the election of Manu Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP into the House of Representatives. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN’s candidate for Balanga and Biliri federal constituency in the April general election, Yila Yaro Mustapha has challenged the victory of the PDP candidate who was declared winner in the April 9, 2011 elections in the zone. In the judgment of the tribunal presided over by Justice C.B. Ogunbiyi, the court said that the Balanga and Biliri Federal Constituency election was voided because of irregularities. Justice Ogunbiyi ordered the electoral body not to recognise the candidature of Yusuf and also ordered INEC to conduct fresh polls in the constituency within 90 days. The ACN candidate has however appealed to his supporters to remain calm and peaceful to win the seat of the rescheduled election.
In a related development in Katsina State, the Katsina State National and State Assembly Petition Tribunal has nullified the elections of two Senators and seven House of Representatives members. The affected lawmakers which are all members of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC are Senators Sani Stores and Audu Umar Yandoma of Katsina Central and Katsina North Senatorial districts respectively. The House of Representative members affected by the Tribunal’s ruling are: Mukhtari Dandutse (Dandume-Funtua Federal Constituency), Umar Dankama (Jibiya Kaita), Murtala Isa (Faskarisabuwa-Kankara Federal Constituency), Tasiu Doguru (Mashi-Dutai) Musa Salisu (Ingawa-Kankara) and Mohammed Tukur (Katsina). In the three hour judgment delivered by both Justices S.A. Akinteye and Halim Suleiman, the Tribunal ruled that CPC candidates who occupied the seats were not qualified to contest the election and so were not validly elected. The Tribunal therefore ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections within 90 days. The verdict however came on the heels of internal rumbling within the CPC as analysts doubt the CPC’s option of appealing the judgment. Already, there is intense politicking and political maneuverings as politicians commence campaigns for fresh elections in Katsina State. “Its going to be a serious battle between the PDP and the ACN” a chieftain of the PDP told our magazine on telephone. While analysts belief that PDP may win the election since Buhari’s home is said to be divided on the choice of candidates to be represented, it was gathered that places like Daura and Funtua are said to be very strong, thus paving the way for its victory in the polls. The Source’s checks also reveal that supporters of the two main contenders (PDP and CPC) have started engaging in a war of words. “They have started again, this was how it all started last April and latter, the election turned out to be bloody. These people (politicians) have started exhanging hot words. Some thugs loyal to General Buhari and some staunch members of the PDP have started some undemocratic moves. I hope the security agencies will wake up to their slumber now and prevent the re-occurrence of the post-election violence that trailed the last general elections? “a Katsina based business man said.
Meanwhile, residents of Jos have praised the recent order by President Jonathan that transferred security powers of the state from the state government to the Chief of Army Staff. They described the move as a welcome development and a clear attempt to enhance peace and security in the state. They however urged the presidency to do more to prevent the wanton killing especially as fresh election has been re-scheduled in the state with the acronym, "Home State of Peace and Tourism."
Also, a Christian group, Akwat Akwop has called on governments at all levels to beef up security in the areas affected by the tribunal’s verdict. According to the group, terrorists may hide under the exercise to unleash terror on the people living the areas.