Kano State: PDP Files Petition Before Tribunal Against INEC

The Peoples Democratic Party has filed a petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission before the Governorship Election Tribunal following the commission’s denial to allow the party access elections materials.

The party accused the electoral body of allegedly violating the orders of the court, which instructed the commission to allow them access to electoral materials.

In the petition before the tribunal, the party accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Professor Risqua Shehu Arabic of alleged contempt of court for refusing them access to the elections materials.

The tribunal on 7th of May, 2019 granted PDP access to inspect the electoral materials.

Counsel to PDP, Bashir Umar while speaking with newsmen noted that upon granting the order, the tribunal urged all parties involved, including APC, INEC, PDP to draft schedule within which the inspection of materials begins and completed.

He accused the commission of slowing down the process of issuance of the electoral material while failing to meet the 22nd May, 2019 deadline.

“We have written the legal adviser of INEC, J.B Daudu, SAN to notify the chamber of the deliberate attempt to deny us the documents and to further draw public attention. The PDP governorship candidate also paid an unscheduled visit to INEC office in Kano for on-the-spot assessment, yet the condition did not change.”

“That was why we were left with no option than to file form 48, which queries the disobedience of INEC to obey orders of tribunal filed on 8th of June, 2019, otherwise, they will be committed to contempt of court.”

“We subsequently filed form 49 after there was no response, for the commission to come before the tribunal to explain why it will not be punished for violating or refusing to obey orders of the court,” Bashir explained.”

The tribunal has fixed Wednesday 19th June, 2019 for hearing of the PDP application.