IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The complaint of the petitioners before the Kaduna state Election Tribunal was that the 1st petitioner contested the Chairmanship Election for Ikara Local Government of Kaduna State along with two other candidates. He contested under the banner of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). At the end of the election, the 1st and 2nd respondents were returned by the 4th respondent as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Ikara Local Government Council respectively. The grounds upon which they rested the petition are as follows:
"A. That the 1st respondent was at the time of the election not qualified to be elected as Chairman of the Ikara Local Government as the said 1st respondent did not lawfully resign his appointment from office as a Civil/Public Servant within the period or manner prescribed by the Civil Service rules and the relevant electoral laws in force.
B. That the 1st respondent was not and is not qualified to contes…