JAMES OGENYI OGEBE, J.C.A.(Delivering the Leading Judgment): The 1st petitioner contested the 15th March 1997 Local Government election for the chairmanship of Sabon-Gari Local Government of Kaduna State. At the end of the election the 1st respondent was declared duly elected as the chairman of the Local Government with 19,223 votes. Dissatisfied will the outcome, the petitioner filed a petition before the Local Government Election Tribunal of Kadune State challenging the election of the 1st respondent on the ground that his running mate was not qualified to contest for failure to pay taxes as and when due, among other allegations. He prayed finally that the 1st and 2nd respondents be declared not duly elected and a fresh election conducted. The Tribunal nullified the election of the 1st and 2nd respondents and returned the 1st petitioner as duly elected.
Dissatisfied with that decision the respondents appealed to the Election Appeal Tribunal of Kaduna State. The Appeal Tribunal allo…