R. D. MUHAMMAD, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellants herein were the petitioners at the Governorship and Legislative House Election Tribunal Birnin Kebbi. They were sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the election as Governor and Deputy Governor of Kebbi State at the election held on 9th January, 1999. The 1st and 2nd respondents contested the election for the same positions under the umbrella of the All Peoples Party (APP). At the close of the election, the returning officer, i.e. the third respondent returned the 1st and 2nd respondents as duly elected by a majority of 257, 489 votes. The appellants were said to have obtained 208,522 votes.
The appellants were dissatisfied with the results declared by the returning officer. They, therefore presented a petition before the Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, Birnin Kebbi, (hereinafter referred to as "the tribunal").
In the petition, the appellants prayed for the following …