JUST IN: Tribunal Nullifies House of Reps Member’s Election, Orders Rerun

Today, the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Sokoto/Zamfara States sitting in Sokoto has nullified the election of Umar Yusuf Yabo Danmaje, the member representing Yabo/Shagari federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Ashu A. Ewah, declared Danmaje’s election as null and void, citing irregularities and malpractices during the 2023 initial election and a subsequent rerun held on February 3, 2024. The court found the processes in some polling units to be marred by malpractices, leading to the inconclusiveness of the electoral exercise.

Justice Ewah further directed Danmaje to pay N500,000 as damages to the petitioner for costs incurred during the legal proceedings challenging the election.

Moreover, the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Danmaje’s Certificate of Return and organize a fresh election within 90 days in the affected polling units across Yabo and Shagari local government areas. Specifically, the rerun is mandated for four polling units: Dagawa Maji Kira, Dagawa Mai Zane, Shiyar Magaji, and Kesoji Shiyar Hakimi, spread between the two local government areas.