Kaduna Tribunal: We will Appeal, Ashiru Fight for Justice

Isa Ashiru, a Governorship Candiate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued an urgent appeal to his supporters to remain law abiding during the party's appeal process. He stressed the need to focus on the future while taking the necessary precautions in line with the law.  This statement serves as a reminder to PDP supporters to stay peace and respect the outcome of the results while the legal bodies handle their appeals.

In a personal statement issued by Ashiru himself after the tribunal's ruling, he reassured the people of Kaduna that he will continue to pursue the mandate they have entrusted him with until its completion.

He stated, "In light of the ruling of the Kaduna state election tribunal, it is important for us to inform our numerous supporters about the true outcome of the ruling.

"On the preliminary objection, the tribunal, with a majority decision of 2:1, upheld the respondent's objection that the application for pre-hearing was submitted prematurely, that is, before the last set of petitioners' reply to the respondent's reply to the petition was served.

"However, the law requires the tribunal, as a trial court, to proceed and make a decision on the merits of the substantive case so that if the court of appeal finds that the trial tribunal was wrong in its decision on the preliminary objection, it would have the opportunity to also make a decision on the substantive matter.

"Thus, the trial tribunal finds merit in the petitioner's argument regarding the margin of victory between the two leading candidates. The tribunal, with a split decision of 2:1, nullified the election of the governor of Kaduna state and ordered the retrieval of the Certificate of Return. It further directed for fresh elections to be conducted in certain polling units in four local government areas, and the outcome of these elections to be taken into account before declaring the winner of the governorship election in Kaduna state.

"I would like to once again express my gratitude to the people of the state and urge them to abide by the law as we continue with the appeal process."