The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Friday dismissed the suit challenging the election of Senator Uba Sani as the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna state for the 2023 elections.
One of the governorship asprants, Sani Sha’aban, had filed the suit challenging the declaration of Uba Sani as the governorship candidate of the party in the primary election that held in May, 2022.
Sha’aban had alleged that the primary election was conducted without due process.
He prayed the court to declared null and void the primary election, alleging that the party’s statutory delegates were substituted by people who could barely read or write, to do the bidding of Uba Sani and his sponsors.
However, delivering judgement, the Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, said the Court lacks jurisdiction on the matter.
He said the court declined to hear the suit because it has no jurisdiction on the ground that it is a party affair and not a post or pre-election matter.
Speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after the judgement, counsel to Uba Sani, Sanusi Musa, said he argued that the court needs the approval of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) before the matter could be filed in Kaduna.
Also in his reaction, counsel to Sha’aban, John Mshelia said, he will approach his client for directives on what the next step would be.
Meanwhile, Uba Sani, in a statement he issued after the judgment, commended Sha’aban for ventilating his grievances through the court, noting that it was the best way to promote and deepen democracy.
The statement said, “I want to use this medium to call on Malam Sha’aban to join hands with me as we make the final push for Kashim Ibrahim House (Government House).
“He can add value to our incoming administration. All hands must be on deck to consolidate the gains made in Kaduna State. Our people deserve the best.
“Our party men and women must see the conclusion of the case in court as an opportunity to build a united front for the 2023 electoral battle.
“Everybody is important. No one should be left behind. Inclusivity must be our watchword”.
By John Shiklam
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