The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Sokoto/Zamfara states, sitting in Sokoto, delivered a significant ruling on Monday, nullifying the election of Umar Yusuf Yabo, popularly known as Danmaje, a member of the National Assembly representing Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency. This decision followed a unanimous ruling by the three-judge Tribunal, which also mandated that the sacked lawmaker pay ₦500,000 as damages to the petitioner.
The Tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Ashu A. Ewah, declared the election of Danmaje as a member of the House of Representatives null and void. Joining Justice Ewah in this decision were Justice Helen HammanJoda and Justice Ali Changbo. The Tribunal’s judgment was based on findings that the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2023, and the subsequent rerun in February 2024, were compromised by significant malpractices.
In addition to nullifying the election, the Tribunal directed INEC to organize and conduct another rerun election within the next 90 days. This rerun is to be held specifically in the two affected polling units of Shagari Local Government Area. Furthermore, the Tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return that had been issued to Danmaje.
Danmaje, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had initially defeated his closest rival, Abubakar Umar of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by securing 27,042 votes to Umar’s 25,738 in the court-ordered rerun. Despite this victory, the Tribunal’s ruling has cast a shadow over his electoral success.
In response to the Tribunal’s verdict, Danmaje expressed his intention to appeal the judgment. He maintained that he would seek redress through the appellate courts, underscoring his belief in the legitimacy of his electoral victory and his commitment to challenging the Tribunal’s findings.
The Tribunal’s decision has significant implications for the political landscape of the Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency. It underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and holding candidates accountable for any malpractices that may have influenced election outcomes. As INEC prepares for the rerun, political observers and constituents alike will be closely monitoring the developments to see how this situation unfolds.
This ruling also highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system, including issues of election malpractices and the legal battles that often follow contested results. The upcoming rerun election will not only be a test of the electoral process but also a measure of the judiciary’s effectiveness in upholding democratic principles and ensuring fair representation for the people of Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency. As the situation evolves, it will be crucial to watch how both INEC and the political parties involved respond to this directive and work towards a credible rerun election.
