Yusuf Liman’s election as Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly has been found unlawful by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, and a rerun in five voting units (PUs) has been ordered.
The State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal overturned Liman’s victory in the Makera State Constituency on September 30 and ordered a rerun in 42 voting units.
This followed a complaint made before the Tribunal by Solomon Katuka, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who was contesting the election of Liman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his action, the PDP candidate argued that the Speaker’s election was marred by numerous irregularities, arguing that he truly won the March 18, 2023 House of Assembly Election in Makera constituency and so should have been declared the winner.
There are 37 polling units in Makera ward, 2 in Barnawa ward, 1 in Kakuri Gwari ward, 1 in Television ward, and 1 in Kakuri Hausa ward, totaling 42 polling units.
Dissatisfied with the Tribunal’s decision, the APC candidate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filed an appeal, while also launching a cross-appeal demanding an outright declaration.
However, the Appeal Court, in a decision delivered by Justices O. O Adejumo, A. O Oyetula, and P. A Obiora on Friday, November 24, 2023, in Abuja, dismissed the speaker’s and INEC’s appeal and ordered a rerun in five voting units rather than the tribunal’s order of 42.
Barnawa Ward PU 005 and 009, Kakuri Gwari Ward PU 006, Television Ward PU 022, and Kakuri Hausa Ward PU 045 are among the concerned polling units where the appellate court ordered a rerun.
As of today, the APC has 17,470 votes, while the PDP has 17,088. The court determined that Liman’s election was invalidated since the lead margin of 382 was fewer than the number of Permanent Voter Cards acquired in the concerned polling units.