PDP loses tribunal suit for Potiskum/Nangere federal constituency seat

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Yobe sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Ibrahim-Umar Potiskum, as the member representing Potiskum/Nangere federal constituency.

Delivering the judgment on Saturday, Sakwa, a member of the three-man tribunal, dismissed the petition filed by Sabo Garba of the PDP, for lacking in merit.

The petitioner had challenged the return of Potiskum on the grounds that he did not score the highest number of lawful votes cast during the February 23 house of representatives election held in the constituency.

He also alleged that Potiskum had at been convicted for a criminal offence by a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Damaturu.

The petitioner also alleged that Potiskum was also convicted on March 3, 1986, by an Upper Area Court 1, Potiskum, for adultery and prayed the tribunal to declare him unfit to be elected.

Sabo alleged that Potiskum has a history of insanity and has been declared as a person of unsound mind, having been a patient at the Borno Psychiatric Hospital with patient No. 0268/05.

In his ruling, Sakwa said there was no document before the tribunal to back up some of these allegation raised by the petitioner.

“The petitioner has failed to give particulars that the respondent is a man of unsound mind. Besides, an allegation of unsound mind is not a crime,” he said.

“There is also no document before this tribunal that the first respondent is still suffering from such illness. This is hereby resolved in favour of the respondent.

“On the issue that the respondent was not duly elected, the tribunal also resolved this in his favour because the petitioner did not adduce document to that effect.

“The allegation of false declaration of age by the respondent was also discountenanced by the tribunal.”

Speaking after the judgment, Potiskum dedicated his victory to the people of Yobe.