The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Kaduna has rejected the petition filed by Michael Auta, the Labour Party Senatorial candidate, challenging the victory of Sunday Marshall Katung in the Kaduna-South Senatorial election.
The three-member panel of judges, in a unanimous decision, ruled that the LP candidate failed to present substantial evidence to support his claims of electoral law compliance violations and violence during the February 25 election.
Auta’s petition alleged that the election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with electoral processes, particularly in some areas of Kachia and Kagarko Local Government Areas. He sought to have the tribunal invalidate the declaration of Katung as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice O.O. Oluboyede, one of the tribunal judges, declared that the petitioner did not provide credible evidence to substantiate his case and subsequently dismissed the entire petition.
Zigwai Z. Adamu, one of the lead counsel for the respondent (Sunday Marshall Katung), pointed out that Auta’s petition claimed that elections were not conducted in certain polling units. However, he argued that the petitioner failed to provide credible evidence as required.
After the ruling, the minority leader in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Ali Kalat, praised the tribunal for upholding Sunday Marshall Katung’s victory. He emphasized the historical support for the PDP in Southern Kaduna and suggested that overnight claims of victory should not be accepted easily.
It should be noted that Sunday Marshall Katung was declared the winner of the National Assembly election held by INEC on February 25, 2023.