UMOREN, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant and the respondents contested for the legislative seat of the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, on 12th April, 2003. They contested on the platforms of the People Democratic Party (P.D.P.) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) respectively.
At the conclusion of the election, the 1st respondent was declared the winner and returned as duly elected.
The appellant was not satisfied with the results declared. He proceeded to the Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, Katsina, and on the 14th May, 2003, filed a petition challenging the return of the 1st respondent as the winner of the election of 12th April, 2003, into the House of Representatives of the National Assembly for the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency of Katsina State.
The 1st respondent, on being served with the petition, entered a conditional appearance and later filed his reply incorporating 10 grounds of objection and a moti…