Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has officially declared Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, known as Mr. La, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as the victorious candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the recently concluded 2023 general elections. This decision came after the tribunal, situated in Kaduna, dismissed the petition filed by Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, also known as Dattijo, from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The tribunal’s ruling was delivered on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Senator Lawal Adamu Usman (Mr. La) had already been declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prior to the tribunal’s decision. Importantly, the tribunal cleared him of all allegations of forgery and upheld his victory, solidifying his position as the elected representative for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
In the election, Lawal Adamu Usman secured victory for the PDP by garnering 225,066 votes, defeating his closest rival, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi (Dattijo) of the APC, who received 182,035 votes. Dattijo had previously served as the chief of staff to Nasir el-Rufai, the governor of the state, and later as the state commissioner for budget and planning.
This verdict by the tribunal is a commendable step toward upholding justice and the rule of law, enhancing the public’s trust in the judiciary. It also raises expectations within the PDP that similar positive outcomes may occur in the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, potentially leading to the party’s victory in the gubernatorial race in the state.