SANUSI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Elections into local government councils were conducted nationwide on the 5th of December, 1998 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (the 5th respondent). At the said elections the petitioner contested for the chairmanship of Kurmi Local Government Council of Taraba State of Nigeria on the platform of the All People's Party (APP).
The 1st and 2nd respondents on the other hand contested for chairmanship and vice chairmanship respectively under the banner of the People's Redemption Party (PRP) in the same council. The latter were returned as duly elected chairman and vice chairman of the said council respectively by the 3rd to 5th respondents.
Dissatisfied with such return the petitioner petitioned at the Taraba State Local Government Council Election Tribunal challenging the declaration of the 1st and 2nd respondents as chairman and vice chairman for the said council respectively.
In a considered judgment delivered by the…