KATSINA: Tribunal nullifies May 2017 Reps by-election, orders fresh poll within 90 days

The by-election held in May 2017 in Katsina State, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Mansur Ali Mashi, emerge winner to represent Dutsi/Mashi federal constituency has been nullified by the state election tribunal.

Ordering Mashi to desist from representing the constituency at the House of Representatives, the tribunal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within 90 days, conduct a fresh election.

Following the death of Alhaji Sani Bello, who was the representative of the constituency on February 15, 2017, INEC had conducted a re-run on Saturday, May 20.

On May 21, INEC had declared Mashi winner of the by-election, Professor Hudu Ayuba, who was the Returning Officer, had proclaimed the APC candidate as securing a total vote of 27,968 to emerge winner.

In the result, Nazif Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 19,451 votes, while Kabir Abdullahi of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) polled 332 votes.

A total of 135,571 voters registered in the constituency while 51,576 voters were accredited for the election.

However, PDP and its candidate, Yusuf, in June filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the outcome of the poll.

Joined in the suit were INEC, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Katsina and the APC as 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents respectively.

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In the petition numbered EPT/KT/NA/HR/01/2017, the applicants had challenged Mashi’s victory on four grounds.

They maintained that the 1st respondent, Mansir Mashi was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast during the election.

 

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