Kano Election Tribunal: PDP Chairman fails to give evidence

The chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Kano state chapter,Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, before the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday, failed to give evidence against the election of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the All Progressive Congress, APC, as the executive governor of the state.

Rabiu, who is the former Secretary to the state Government led by counsel to his party, the PDP, barrister Adegboye Awomolo was affirmed by the court registrar, however was not permitted to give evidence owing to the objection raised by counsel representing, governor Ganduje and his party, APC, Aliyu Umar(SAN).

Barrister Aliyu Umar(SAN) said the parties, prior to Thursday’s sitting had an initial “gentleman agreement”, which binds the petitioners and respondents agreeing that all parties would wait for the amendment of typographical contained in a ruling issued by the court of Appeal in Kaduna.

He said the parties agreed that the state PDP chairman and seven others would proceed to give evidence on the 5th of August, noting that to his surprise the petitioners, on 1st August brought the PDP chieftain to court to give evidence.

Barrister Josiah Samuel(SAN) and Adedayo Adedeji representing APC and INEC respectively aligned their position with the submission made by counsel representing Gov Ganduje, informing the tribunal that they object to intention of the PDP party boss to give evidence in the matter.

Read Also; Tribunal sacks Ondo PDP Reps member

The counsel to PDP, Awomolo(SAN) told the court that to the best of his knowledge, there is no existing court ruling that forestalls the party chieftain, from giving evidence urging the court to discountenance with the prayers offered by the respondents.

In aberration, Justice Halima Shamaki said, the content of the court records is vivid, noting that the tribunal directed that the amended copy of the ruling should be made available before the tribunal, on or before the 3rd of August.

She said in the interest of Justice, the matter is adjourned to August 2nd, for all the eight witnesses to appear to testify before the court.