ABDU ABOKI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the decision of the National Assembly/Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Birnin Kebbi delivered on 20th October, 2007.
The facts of the case briefly are that on 14th April, 2007 elections were held throughout the country into the Governorship seats of the 36 states of the Federation of Nigeria. The 1st Petitioner/Appellant contested the Governorship seat on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and polled 134,553 votes, while the 1st Respondent,, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 469,595 votes. Consequently, the 1st Respondent was declared the winner of the election and returned as the elected Governor of Kebbi State.
Against the declaration of the 1st Respondent as the winner of the election, the Appellants as Petitioners filed a petition before the Tribunal challenging the 1st Respondent's return 6n the following grounds:-
1. That that 1st…