FCT NASS Poll: CPC Reps candidate heads for tribunal

candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the April 9 National Assembly poll for AMAC/Bwari federal constituency in the FCT, Yakubu Muhammed Adamu, has asked the election tribunal to declare him as the elected candidate to represent the constituency.

He stated this in a petition (EPT/NASS/HR/ABJ/2/2011) filed before the FCT National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal by his lawyer, Mr. Ado Maaji.

The candidate in the petition alleged that the election which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Zaphaniah Jisalo, as winner for scoring the highest number of valid votes cast at the election, was invalid on the grounds of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the amended Electoral Act 2010.

He also alleged that Jisalo was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election, and further averred that the election into the House of Representatives for AMAC/Bwari federal constituency was not credible as there were no collations in many polling units, while many voters were disenfranchised.

While alleging that the conduct of the election was marred by fundamental and crucial irregularities and malpractices, which rendered the entire election process invalid, he urged the tribunal to declare the AMAC/Bwari federal constituency election invalid for non-compliance with the amended Electoral Act 2010.

The candidate, who expressed confidence in the tribunal to do justice to the petition, also requested for the nullification of the election at Garki, Wuse, Orozo, Egu, Dutse and Ushafa wards of the constituency and asked for fresh conducts of the polls in those areas.