ALFRED P. EYEWUMI AWALA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is founded on the General Election held nationwide on 21/4/07 for' a seat at the Federal House of Representatives at Abuja. The 1st Appellant contested for the seat meant for Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency of Bauchi State under the platform of the 2nd Appellant whilst the 1st Respondent equally contested same under the auspices of the 2nd Respondent At the end of the collation of the election results, the 1st Appellant scored 43,828 votes whilest 1st Respondent scored 66,724 votes. The 1st Respondent was declared the winner by the 5th Respondent.
The Appellants dissatisfied with the declaration and the return of he 1st Respondent as the winner of the election petitioned the Governorship and Legislature House Election Petition Tribunal holden at Bauchi in petition No NAGLH/EPT/BA/19/07 on 19/5/07 (hereinafter called the lower tribunal).
In paragraph 7 of their petition the petitioners stated the grounds u…