BY: CHIOMA MADONNA NDUKWU
The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Sokoto/Zamfara States has nullified the election of Umar Yusuf Yabo Danmaje, the House of Representatives member for Yabo/Shagari federal constituency.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Ashu A. Ewah, cited election malpractices in some polling units and ordered a rerun within 90 days. Danmaje must also pay N500,000 in damages to the petitioner. The rerun will cover four polling units in Yabo and Shagari local government areas.
The tribunal’s unanimous decision, supported by Justices Helen N. Hammanjoda and Ali T. Changbo, found that both the initial 2023 election and the February 2024 rerun were compromised. Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been instructed to withdraw Danmaje’s Certificate of Return and organize a new election in the affected areas. The specific polling units are Dagawa Maji Kira, Dagawa Mai Zane, Shiyar Magaji, Kesoji Shiyar Hakimi, Jaredi Maji Kira, and Mazoji.
