The Sokoto State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will deliver its judgment on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in a petition filed by the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mallam Sa’idu Umar, against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and winner of the March 18 election, Governor Idris Gobir.
Umar is challenging the election of Governor Aliyu and his deputy, Gobir, over non-qualification and electoral fraud. He has alleged that there were discrepancies in Governor Aliyu’s secondary school and university certificates, and the documents presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He has also insisted that no government agency has records of a “Model Primary School,” which Deputy Governor Gobir claimed issued him a primary certificate.
Umar is therefore praying to the tribunal to cancel Aliyu’s election and declare him the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state.
The respondents, however, have countered the claims, maintaining that their educational records are genuine and that they were validly elected. They have urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
The three-member panel of justices led by Haruna Mshelia had earlier in August reserved judgment in the petition after hearing and adopting the final written addresses of the parties.
A judgment notice issued by the tribunal and sighted on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, stated that “Petition No EPT/SK/GOV/01/2023 will be coming up on Saturday, 30/09/2023 at 9:00 am for Judgment.”
The notice also mandated all counsels to inform their clients that supporters would not be allowed into the court premises, noting that movement would be highly restricted by security agencies.
