A’Court reserves judgment on Kogi gov’ship election

Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, reserved judgement in the appeal filed by a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief James Faleke and Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

Justice Anatu Sankei, who presided over the appeals which were heard on Tuesday, said that the date of judgment will be communicated to the parties involved when it is ready.

The adjournment came after lengthy arguments and submissions by counsel to both parties.

The Appeals were filed by James Faleke, the running mate to late Prince Abubakar Audu and Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, challenging the decision of the Kogi state governorship election petition tribunal, which last month upheld the election of Yahaya Bello as the validly elected governor.

Faleke’s lawyer, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) while moving the appeal, urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision of the tribunal and nullify Gov. Yahaya Bello’s election on the ground that Bello was not properly nominated.

He submitted that Bello did not undergo all the electioneering processes as required by law before he emerged as his party’s candidate in re-run election.

Olujimi (SAN) submissions was vehemently opposed by Joseph Daudu (SAN), the counsel representing Gov Bello, who argued that the issue of nomination of candidates for an election was the sole responsibility of political party.