In Nigeria, the National Assembly Petition Tribunals play a vital role in safeguarding the democratic process.
They serve as a mechanism for resolving electoral disputes, upholding the integrity of elections, and ensuring that elected officials are held accountable.
Citizens exercise their democratic rights by electing representatives to the Senate and House of Representatives.
However, like any democratic system, disputes and concerns may arise during elections. To address these issues and uphold the integrity of the electoral process, Nigeria established the National Assembly Petition Tribunals.
This article explores the outcome of the various National Assembly petition tribunals following the 2023 election.
The NASS petition outcome nationwide
Election Petitions Tribunals nationwide nullified the wins of 25 House of Representatives members and five senators.
The tribunal further mandated supplementary elections in select polling units within Kogi East, Delta South, and Delta Central senatorial districts.
So far, a total of 26 House of Representatives members have had their elections overturned by the tribunals, although one of these cases has been overturned by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
What you should know
- The All Progressives Congress (APC) gained the most from the rulings of the different tribunals regarding House of Representatives seats.
- However, the party has suffered more losses in senatorial seats compared to any other political party up to this point.
- All those who were defeated in their seats have indicated their intentions to appeal the verdicts.
- The tribunal overturned the ruling party’s triumphs in Kogi East and Kogi Central senatorial districts.
- Additionally, it has also seen its election triumphs in Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts invalidated.
- The tribunals, in their decisions to nullify these elections, have called for rerun or supplementary elections in nine federal constituencies.
- The APC has emerged as the primary beneficiary of these nullifications, securing victories in nine federal constituencies.
- Initially, the PDP had secured victories in five constituencies, but this number decreased when the Appeal Court reversed the nullification of the LP candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in Delta State. Meanwhile, the LP and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) obtained two and one seats, respectively.
- According to findings, a significant number of the members removed by the Tribunal hold positions as either Chairmen or Vice Chairmen of House standing committees, which were established by the Speaker prior to the House’s break.
- Notably, the tribunals have removed both the chairman and vice chairman of two committees, namely the Science Research Institutions and Science and Technology committees.
- The Supreme Court has voided the election of Nazifi Bello Yusuf (PDP, Katsina) due to a pre-election matter.
- In its ruling, the court reinstated Salisu Yusuf Majigiri as the rightful candidate of the party for the Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency of Katsina State.
- The Supreme Court determined that Yusuf’s petition against Majigiri’s nomination as the PDP candidate was filed after the stipulated timeframe, leading to this decision.
- Nazifi Bello Yusuf had been appointed by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values prior to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding his election.
- In Plateau south, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had its election win nullified.
- The PDP has seen a loss of 12 House members, closely trailed by the Labour Party (LP) with 10 members.
- In contrast, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the APC have each lost three and one member, respectively
List of lawmakers who were removed from office so far
1. Umar Yusuf Datti (NNPP, Kano)
2. Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia)
3. Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa)
4. Ngozi Okolie (LP, Delta, but the verdict has been overturned by the Appeal Court)
5. Umar Yerima (NNPP, Kano)
6. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo)
List of Lawmakers whose elections were overturned
7. Chijoke Okereke (LP, Enugu)
8. Paul Nnamchi (LP, Enugu)
9. Seyi Sowunmi (LP, Lagos)
10. Aminu Chindo (PDP, Katsina)
11. Ismail Dalha (PDP, Katsina)
12. Peter Gyendeng (PDP, Plateau)
13. Munachim Alozie (LP, Abia)
14. Ibe Osunwa (LP, Abia)
15. Francis Waive (APC, Delta)
16. Joshua Gana (PDP, Niger)
17. Emeka Nnamani (LP, Abia)
18. Jonathan Ukodhiko (PDP, Delta)
19. Idris Dankawa (NNPP, Kano)
20. Adamu Yakubu (PDP, Jigawa)
21. Thaddeus Atta (LP, Lagos)
22. Dachung Musa Bagos (PDP, Plateau)
23. Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau)
24. Sunday Umeha (LP, Enugu)
25. Mohammed Jamilu (PDP, Katsina)
26. Iliyasu Abubakar (PDP, Katsina)
