Court sacks PDP senatorial candidate for Borno Central

The Federal High Court Maiduguri Division has dismissed Mohammed Kumalia, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District.

Jibrin Tatabe won the PDP primary election for Borno Central District held in Maiduguri last May. He defeated Bukar Kachalla, the former chairman of the State Council, but was replaced by the party with Mr. Kumaila.

Mr. Kumaila did not participate in the primary election.

The judge, Jude Dagat, on Wednesday ruled that the PDP did not have the power to nominate, sponsor or forward to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the name of Mr. Kumalia who did not appear through the main party that was legally entered into the election. act and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The court ordered INEC to replace Mr. Kumalia’s name with that of Mr. Tatabe who contested and won the primaries through the main party which was legally conducted and witnessed by INEC.

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Meanwhile, INEC in line with the court ruling has removed Mr. Kumalia’s name from the list of final nominees for Borno Central Senatorial District.

The Electoral Commission has written to the PDP headquarters informing the party of the court order asking the party to forward the names of candidates recognized by the court for the upcoming elections.

Borno Central Senatorial District is the zone with the highest voter turnout in the country. It is expected to be a battleground for the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).