By Israel Bulus-
About 23 witnesses told the Tribunal that the March 9 governorship elections was marred with Violence and ballot snatching in parts of Kaduna South Local Government Area.
Witnesses at the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna have continued to give testimonies against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The witnesses, who testified on behalf of the petitioners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Alhaji Isa Ashiru, told the tribunal that they were surprised to see results of those polling units were elections was disrupted by thugs.
Based on the INEC certified election results before the tribunal, elections were held in all polling units of the local government.
But witnesses at the resume hearing on Thursday and Friday, disagreed with INEC, saying “elections started in many polling units but was concluded because thugs stormed the polling unit, disrupt and cart away elections material and never return.”
Witness Umar Shehu Abubakar deposited that election started at his polling unit 023 in Sabon Gari South Ward, bit was later disrupted by thugs.
Another witness, Hussaini Abubakar also told the court that “election started at his polling unit 020 in Sabon Gari South Ward But was disrupted and elections materials cart away by thugs”.
For Ado Bala who served as agent Of PDP at polling unit 007 polling “the elections was marred by violence and there was no election As far as I am concern, the purported result from INEC did not emanated at the polling unit because there was no election.”
Ndanusa Abdul Danjuma also told the tribunal that elections at polling unit 023 was inconclusive as thugs “disrupted with violence and because of that there was no result declared.”
Bala Ahmed, a voter at 011 polling unit, Sabon Gari South Ward told the tribunal that he could not cast his vote because thugs disrupted the process.
“The election commenced but thugs came and catered away the electoral materials. I Will be surprise to see any result of that polling unit,” he said.
Another eye witness at polling unit 016 Kabiru Isiaku told the tribunal that “i went out to cast my vote, but materials were catered away by thugs and I was unable to vote. I will be surprise to see result of that polling unit because there was no election on that day. The thugs invaded the election venue and catered away election materials.”
All the witnesses, mostly from Sabon Gari south and Sabon Gari North wards in Kaduna south local government area sworn before the tribunal that elections were not concluded in their polling units.
Meanwhile, the Ibrahim Bako-led Tribunal adjourned to Saturday 21st for continuation of hearing.
So far, about 60 witnesses from Zaria and Kaduna North and Kaduna South Local Government Areas have testified against the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Elisha Kurah, SAN told newsmen that “from the witnesses we presented so far, we are confident of victory because the witnesses have been talking precisely on what happen. And how thugs took over some polling units and yet INEC and APC went and chunt out results despite the fact that elections was not concluded in those polling units. We are happy the witnesses are making revelation.”
