Appeal court dismisses Bauchi Speaker, orders rerun

On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the Bauchi State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal’s decision to confirm the Speaker, Abubakar Y Suleiman, as a member representing Ningi Central.

In a unanimous decision issued on Friday, a three-judge panel of the appellate court ordered a rerun in ten polling units.

The decision followed an appeal filed by Khalid Abdulmalik-Ningi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ningi Central State Constituency in the March 18 House of Assembly election.

However, the Speaker has advised all of his supporters and people to be calm and law-abiding, viewing the issue as a short inconvenience that will be resolved soon.

Suleiman, in a statement made by his Spokesperson, Abdul Ahmad Burra, stated his acceptance of the judgment in good faith, citing his Muslim belief in destiny and fate, notwithstanding the unfavorable verdict.

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The Speaker also stated his preparedness for a rerun election, hoping to increase the nearly 2,000-vote edge he previously held over his opponent.

Suleiman emphasized the unshakable support and solidarity he has in Ningi, dismissing any attempts to undermine his position.

He questioned the logic of prolonging the process of election defeat by his opponents, viewing the repeat in the 10 polling units that are his strongholds as a straightforward struggle.