2023 Poll: Court Nullifies Kebbi PDP Reps’ Candidate Election

Federal High Court in Kebbi Judicial Division has voided the election of Haruna Garba Argungu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Argungu/Augie federal constituency.

In his place, the court declared Sani Yakubu Noma as the party’s candidate and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him. The ruling was given by Justice B. G. Ashigar following an application by Noma against Argungu, the PDP and INEC.

The court granted Noma’s prayer. The judge in his ruling said, “And after hearing J. J. Usman (SAN), counsel for the Plaintiff, Hussaini Zakariyau (SAN) Counsel for the 1 Defendant, Nura Bello Counsel for the 2nd Defendant and M. A. Bawa for the 3rd Defendant.

“And the court having delivered its judgment, INEC (the 3rd defendant) is ordered to accept and recognize the Plaintiff Sani Yakubu Noma as the only valid and lawful candidate of the PDP ( 2nd Defendant)  for the House of Representatives representing Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency, Kebbi State in the 2023 general election.”

However, Argungu still has the right of appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Noma sought a declaration that by virtue of the provision of section 84 (5) (c) (ii) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and article 50 (1) & (2) (d) of the party’s constitution (As amended in 2017), part ii paragraph 7,part IV paragraph 2,6,9 and 10 of the electoral guidelines for primary election for the PDP, the result of the House of Representatives primary election of the 2nd defendant for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency, Kebbi State, conducted on 23rd May, 2022, by which he was declared winner was  a valid result of the primaries.

He said by virtue of the provision of section 29 (i) and 84 (5) (c) (ii) of the Election Act, 2022 and the electoral guidelines for primary election of the PDP, the substitution of his name with that of Haruna Garba Argungu for Argungu/Augie federal constituency, Kebbi State, was not valid and legal and cannot be sustained.

He said the name of Argungu cannot and ought not to be forwarded to INEC for the House of Representatives for Augungu/Augie federal constituency, Kebbi State  for the 2023 general election.

Noma asserted that INEC “cannot in the circumstances accept, recognise and or publish the name of the Haruna Garuba Argungu as the candidate of the PDP for the House of Representatives for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency, Kebbi State, for 2023 General elections.”

He asked for an order setting aside the substitution and publication of  Haruna Garuba Argungu as the candidate of PDP for the House of Representatives, for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency Kebbi State in respect of the 2023 General Election.

Noma sought for an order compelling PDP to forward his name to INEC as its candidate for the House of Representatives, Argungu/Augie federal constituency, Kebbi State, for the 2023 general election.

He asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining PDP, whether by itself, national chairman, officers, agents, privies, or through any persons, or thorough any person or persons howsoever, from  presenting Haruna Garuba Argungu as the candidate for the office of the House of Representatives, representing Argungu/Augie federal constituency, Kebbi State at the 2023 general election.