By Abubakar Abdullahi
A Federal High Court sitting in Gombe, presided over by Justice by I.O Ifeoma has dismissed a suit by Senator Amos Bulus Kilawan, challenging Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring Senator Joshua Lidani as winner of All Progressive Congress, (APC) primary election for Gombe South Senatorial zonebin 2023 election.
Read Also Security Assessment: Gombe CP Pays Unscheduled Visit to INEC Office
Bulus, who is also the serving Senator for the zone, prayed the court to nullify the Party’s primary and order INEC to conduct a fresh election, alleging that the election was characterised with irregularities and INEC officials didn’t monitor the elections, stating these contravened provisions of Constituiton of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and guidelines of All Progressive Congress (APC).
After hearing the legal arguments from both counsel, Justice Ifeoma dismissed the case for lack of merit and proof of evidence.
She consequently upheld the decision of INEC.
Similarly, the court dismissed the case of Bilyaminu Babadidi against Senator Joshua Lidani for being incompetent and lack of satisfiable evidence and declared Joshua Lidani as winner of Gombe South APC primary election.
The Judge maintained that the assertions of plaintiffs are hearsay, inconsistent and they equally failed to show the video clip to proof their claims, as they claimed irregularities during the poll.
Recalls that Senator Joshua Lidani emerged victory with 90 votes while Bilyaminu Babadidi scored 70 votes while incumbent Senator Bulus Amos got 40 votes during APC Gombe South primary Senatorial zone election for 2023 election.
In a chat with Justice Watch News Correspondent in Gombe, shortly after the two judgements, counsel to APC and that of Lidani respectively, Barrister A.O Usman and Barrister Caleb Ubale assured that the judgements will not over be overturned even if it goes upper court.
Read Also: Gombe Police Command Gets New Commissioner of Police as CP Ishola Moves to CPTU, Staff College Jos
Also on their side, lawyers to Plaintiffs. Barrister Adamu Ayuba and Benjamin Sati expressed their dissatisfaction with the judgements, noting that they are looking forward to proceed to court of Appeal and test its weight.
Also speaking with Justice Watch News Correspondent in Gombe, Lidani, thanked all his supporters for their prayers and patience and urged electorates to vote for him to bring more dividend of democracy in the zone and Gombe State as a whole.
