Adamawa election tribunal begins sitting, orders substituted service on Nyako

Professor Andrawus Sawa of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had challenged his exclusion from the March 28 senatorial election, in which Nyako of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner.Ruling on an ex parte application for substituted service by Sawa’s counsel Abel Ozioko, Justice A.O. Onovo ordered that the service be effected on Nyako […]

Professor Andrawus Sawa of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had challenged his exclusion from the March 28 senatorial election, in which Nyako of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner.
Ruling on an ex parte application for substituted service by Sawa’s counsel Abel Ozioko, Justice A.O. Onovo ordered that the service be effected on Nyako through the National Legal Officer of the APC at 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse 11, Abuja.
The petitioner claims he was unlawfully excluded from the senatorial elections as INEC did not publish his name as candidate of the SDP, but the party was included in the ballot papers in the senatorial election.
In the petition filed before the panel on April 17, Sawa contends that his exclusion from the election, having been duly nominated by his political party, is a violation of the Electoral Act.
Sawa claims that INEC failed to act on Forms CF002C and CF001, which indicated his nomination by the SDP as its Adamawa Central Senatorial candidate.
Consequently, Sawa seeks a declaration by the panel nullifying the senatorial election in Adamawa Central Senatorial District. He also wants the court to order fresh election in the state.
A fresh date for hearing will be fixed after service of the papers on Nyako.