The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Sokoto/Zamfara states, sitting in Sokoto, has nullified the election of Umar Yusuf Danmaje, a member of the National Assembly representing the Yabo/Shagari federal constituency.
He was elected under the People Democratic Party (PDP).
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, the three-member panel of judges, led by Justice Ashu A. Ewah, declared the election of Danmaje as null and void. The tribunal also ordered Danmaje to pay ₦500,000 in damages to the petitioner as a cost award.
The tribunal included Justice Helen N. HammanJoda and Justice Ali T. Changbo. Justice Ewah noted that the elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2023 and the rerun on February 3, 2024, were marred by malpractices, rendering the results invalid.
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The tribunal ordered INEC to conduct another rerun election within 90 days. This election is to be held in four polling units within the Yabo and Shagari local government areas.
The affected polling units include Dagawa Maji Kira, Dagawa Mai Zane, Shiyar Magaji, Kesoji Shiyar Hakimi, Jaredi Maji Kira, and Mazoji.
The tribunal directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Danmaje and to conduct the rerun election in the specified polling units within 90 days.
