POLITICS Tribunal Fixes 19 April for APC Petition Against PDP in Gombe

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Gombe has set April 19th and 20th for hearing of a petition filed by Alhaji Hamma Adama Ali of the All Progressive Congress (APC) against Alhaji Ismaila Muazu Hassan of the PDP, winner of the re-run election into the Akko Federal Constituency held on 29th January, 2016.

Speaking on Wednesday at the inaugural session of the tribunal under the Chairmanship of Justice Saidu Mohammad Sifawa with Justices Harrison Ibironke and Salihu Mohammed Sani as members, counsel were urged to uphold professionalism and abide by the principles of court proceedings as it promises to uphold the principles of justice.

The election into the Akko Federal Constituency during the 2015 general elections in which the APC candidate, Alhaji Umaru Barambu, was declared winner, was later challenged by the PDP and its candidtate, Alhaji Ismaila Muazu Hassan.

The election was nullified on the basis that the APC candidate, Alhaji Umaru Barambu, was not qualified to have contested for the election and a fresh election was then ordered.

Counsel to the APC and its candidate in the fresh petition, Mr Ayokunle Ogunleye, stated in an interview with journalists, that their petition was on the grounds that the APC was denied the right to participate in the fresh election as ordered by the Appeal Court Yola.