NDUKWE-ANYANWU JCA (Delivering the Lead Jugement): The appellants were the petitioners at the Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal for Katsina State. The 1st appellant, Senator Abu Ibrahim was nominated and sponsored by the 2nd appellant, All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) to contest the Governorship seat for Katsina State. The 1st respondent, Ibrahim Shehu Shema was sponsored by Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the same seat. Elections were held all over the 36 states on 14 April 2007. The 1st respondent was declared winner and returned as Governor of Katsina State on 15 April 2007 having scored the highest number of votes. The petitioners/appellants being dissatisfied with the return of the 1st respondent, presented a petition on 15 May 2007 to the lower tribunal sitting at Katsina.
At the end of a full trial, the tribunal dismissed the petition of theappellants and found that the appellants failed to prove the allegations in their petition. The tribunal a…