The Supreme Court has declared Lawal Adamu Usman as the rightful candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 25, Kaduna Central Senatorial District election.
Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, had on December 19, 2022, reinstated Lawal Adamu Usman as the candidate of the PDP, following his removal by a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, which had nullified the primary election for Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
After nullifying the primary election, the trial court ordered a re-run, which Lawal Adamu Usman won, and his name subsequently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, as the PDP Kaduna Central Senatorial Candidate.
But Adamu’s victory was challenged in court by Usman Ibrahim who came second in the primary election held on the 23rd of May 2022.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, held that the claims of the plaintiff (Ibrahim) were substantial likewise the decision by INEC and the National Working Committee of the PDP’s earlier decision for a fresh primary, which did not hold, hence claims by the defendants were declared null and void.
Not satisfied with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Lawal Adamu headed to the appellate court.
In a lead judgment, Justice Peter Affen held that the Kaduna High Court lacked the jurisdiction to inquire into the internal affairs of the PDP.
Consequently, the appeal was upheld and judgment of the trial court was set aside.
Lawal Adamu Usman, was declared the candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
However, miffed by the judgement of the court below, Usman Ibrahim sought redress at the Supreme Court.
A 5-man panel of Justices, presided over by Inyang Okoro, heard the appeal.
In a lead judgment on Friday, which was prepared by Helen Ogunwumiji, and read by Justice Emma Agim, the apex court unanimously dismissed the appeal for want of merit.
“Appeal lacks merit and accordingly dismissed. “Decision of the National Working Committee is correct and cannot be faulted”, Justice Agim stated.
