Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has claimed victory in the judgement delivered by the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on the March 18 gubernatorial election in the state.

This followed a split decision by the tribunal on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Isah Mohammed Ashiru, had challenged the victory of Sani in the gubernatorial election.

The Star recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sani, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the poll.

However, the governor, while speaking via a statement he personally issued on Thursday, described the judgement as “an unequivocal affirmation of the popular mandate graciously given to me by the good people of Kaduna State”.

He also commended the tribunal judges for their “thoroughness and lucidity, saying they enriched the country’s jurisprudence and practice of electoral democracy.

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Governor Sani added: “I also commend my dear brother, Hon. Isah Ashiru Kudan for approaching the Tribunal to ventilate his grievances. This is a clear demonstration of his belief in the principles of democracy and the imperative of civility in the conduct of political actors.

“I call on Hon. Isah Ashiru and members of the opposition parties in Kaduna State to join hands with us as we strive to move our dear state to a higher level. We are all stakeholders in PROJECT KADUNA. It is not about personal glory.

“Our people want all hands to be on deck to address the myriad challenges confronting the state. If political actors are united, a clear signal will be sent to our people that the quest for peace, security, progress, and development of our state are the driving forces of our participation in politics.

“I call on our party faithful to moderate their celebration of this victory. They must individually and collectively extend an olive branch to our brothers and sisters in other political parties. Instead of celebrating, we should bow down in prayers to the Almighty God for His continued guidance and protection. Let us focus on the tasks ahead.”

The Star