Reps Election: Kano Tribunal Sacks Former Buhari’s Aide, Kawu Sumaila

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano State on Friday set aside the election of a member, representing Takai/Sumaila Federal constituency,Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila

Solacebase recalled that Shamsuddeen Dambazau, the son of former minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau was recognized by the Supreme Court as a member representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency after instituting a case against Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila who won at the general election as it was discovered that he never participated in the primary election

Shamsuddeen Dambazau, who did not contest the election but came second in the APC primaries, got the mandate when a Federal High Court in Kano disqualified a former presidential aide, Kawu Sumaila, in a pre-election suit.

Shamsuddeen Dambazau, is the son of former minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau.

In her ruling, the three-man tribunal, led by  Justice Onyekan Abdullahi, upheld the decision of the Supreme court on the matter, which disqualified Kawu Sumaila on the grounds that he did not participate in all the preliminary stages of the election processes.

“We hold that, if a Tribunal or court found out that a candidate did not participate in any stage of the election process, the Tribunal has no option other than to declare the next candidate with the highest number of votes, as the winner in the election,” the learned judge said.

“Consequently, Suraj Idris Kanawa, being the next candidate with the highest number of lawful votes cast is the right candidate to be declared the winner in the Takai/Sumail Federal House of Representatives election, held on March 23, 2019.

“Notice is hereby given to INEC to declare the First Petitioner, as the winner and issue a certificate of return to him.

“Suraj Idris Kanawa is, therefore, the winner of Takai/Sumaila Federal House of Representatives election, which the Tribunal has upheld,” the judge concluded.

In his immediate reaction after the judgment, counsel for the Petitioner, Tijjani Yahaya, said the judgment was an affirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law and a signal to politicians to always abide by the provisions of their party constitutions and other laws of the land.

Also in his reaction, counsel for the First respondent,  Dr Nasir Aliyu, said his client, Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, is a law-abiding citizen and has accepted the ruling of the court.

Also, Dr Aliyu said his client has no plan to appeal the judgment.