Tribunal to commence hearing on suit against Ndume May 1

The Borno National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Nyanya, Abuja, is set to commence pre-hearing on a petition challenging the declaration of Sen. Mohammed Ndume of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as winner of the Borno South Senatorial District poll.

Secretary of the tribunal, Mike David, revealed that the tribunal, presided over by Justice Peter Kekemeke, has fixed May 1 for the pre-hearing after the respondents replied to the petition and filed relevant processes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ndume winner of the February 23 Senatorial elections.

According to the results by INEC, Ndume garnered 300, 637 votes to defeat his closest rival, Kudla Satumari, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 84, 608 votes.

READ ALSO: We did not endorse Ndume for Senate presidency, Borno elders ‎clarify

Satumari, who was displeased with the results, filed a petition with number, EPT/BO/SEN/1/2019, alleging that the election was marred by corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

The APC and INEC were joined as respondents in the petition dated March 15.

He sought the order of the tribunal for cancellation of the election; and for INEC to conduct fresh election for the Senatorial District within 90 days.

Howevre, Ndume had in a reply filed on April 10, denied the allegations in the petition, stating that the Borno South Senatorial election was free and fair and not marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act..

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