There is palpable anxiety and apprehension among all and sundry particularly the political players as the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved for judgement in the coming days. While the issues raised by counsels to the petitioner and Respondents are issues and responses that seem appealing depending on the angle you are viewing it from, the good people of Kaduna State are anxious and waiting patiently for the judgement expected to be delivered in the coming days. But it is however very difficult to predict where the pendulum will swing on the long run. Interestingly is the fact that all the parties in the suit are claiming anticipated Victory.
For the main plaintiff in the case, Rt. Honourable Isa Ashiru of the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his party, they were robbed of their victory and committed to reclaiming their ‘stolen’ mandate and while the case lasted provided evidences to that effect, but the candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor, Senator Uba Sani and his party, won the election and also provided evidences that they won.
Comrade Danjuma Sarki who was the Governorship returning officer for the PDP at the time of the election and collation of results said, ” Some of the results were manipulated in favour of the ruling party, the APC and that is why we are challenging the outcome and pronouncement of Senator Uba Sani as winner of the election. And we are optimistic that the tribunal will give us back the mandate given to us by the good people of Kaduna State through their votes.
Also, the led counsel to Isa Ashiru of PDP Oluwole Iyamu SAN, and that of Governor Uba Sani of the APC Chief Duri Adeyele SAN, are also hopeful that the judgement will go in their favour and for their clients.
But more anxious are supporters of the parties who always throng the court in solidarity for their preferred candidate in the case.
For a man who simply calls himself as Salisu and spoke in Hausa, “Ashiru won the election but we are waiting to see what the judges will say in the case” he said.
It would be recalled that shortly before the declaration of Senator Uba Sani as winner in the Governorship election, Kaduna State was agog with celebration that the candidate of the PDP Hon. Ashiru has won the election, but the celebration was short lived following the eventual declaration of Senator Sani as winner.
In the coming days, it will be clear who, among the contenders actually won the election as Justice Victor O. Oviawe-led three man tribunal delivers their judgement.