The Plateau State National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, has upheld the educational qualification of Hon. Muhammad Adam Alkali, of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), discarding the petition of Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan and his All Progressives Congress(APC).
Hon. Alkali was declared runner-up in the 2023 general election.
Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan and his All Progressives Congress, had challenged the nomination of Hon. Alkali, being the 4th respondents, Hon. Musa Agah, being the 1st respondent and Mr. Asama being the 3rd respondent on the ground that both parties were not qualified to contest the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency.
The tribunal in its unanimous lead judgement by Justice Emmanuel Nwazunku Nwibo, discarded the four evidences of the petitioners witnesses that alleged Hon. Alkali had forged his primary school certificate.
Justice Nwibo, held that the petitioners ground one failed, based on the provision Section 133(2)(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which stipulates that a person who lost an election cannot be a, “Respondent in a petition of another unsuccessful candidate.”
He further held that, based on the section 133 (2)(3), all respondents in the petition are not lawful parties.
On issue two of the petitioners, alleged certificate forgery against Hon. Alkali, the tribunal held that petitioners tendered exhibits P1-P18, but their four witnesses, “PW1-PW4, left the substance and pursued the shadow.”
“PW-1 is Muleng Alex…is an inspector of police Plateau State who investigated the allegation of forgery against the 4th Respondent (Hon. Alkali), who had since taken his exit in this position.
“P-W2 Azinge Azi is the Education Secretary to Jos North Local Government Authority. P-3 Gambo Adamu is from Plateau State Primary Education Board Jos North Local Government Area. PW4 Lawal Suleiman is from LGED Jos North and headmaster of Anguwar Rogo Primary School.
He said they are all subpoena witnesses and they are aimed at disqualifying the 4th Respondent.
“Now that the 4” -7% Respondents have all left the scene as parties the evidence of PW1-PW4 become worthless in this petition.
Justice Nwibo held that based on the forgone the entire petition has collapsed and dead on arrival.
