Abuja: The All Progressives Congress (APC) has filed a petition challenging the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election held on Feb. 21. The APC candidate, Yahaya Usman, in a petition filed before the Area Council Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, is contesting the return of Mohammed Kasim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was declared winner of the council’s election. INEC’s declared results show that Kasim polled 22,165 votes, while Usman secured 17,788 votes in the election.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, at the heart of the dispute is the petitioners’ claim that the election did not meet the required legal and procedural standards. The petitioners, represented by a legal team led by Chris Udeoyibo, include Agaptus Obi and Emmanuel Agada. They argue that the election was invalid due to non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, and cite corrupt practices as reasons for disputing the results.
The petitioners also contend that the declared winner did not secure the majority of lawful votes cast. Filings before the tribunal indicate disputes over results in 110 polling units across the council area. The petition outlines two broad categories of concern: alleged non-compliance in over 100 polling units and other contested issues in a smaller number of locations. Specific points include discrepancies between voter accreditation records and final vote tallies, as well as questions surrounding the collation process.
Witness statements submitted alongside the petition describe observations made at polling units, including delays in the commencement of voting and differences between announced results and recorded accreditation data. One witness noted that polling units did not open for accreditation and voting at the scheduled time, with election officials arriving late. Another deposition highlighted inconsistencies between the number of votes announced and the number of voters present at the polling unit.
The petition references documentation such as result sheets, voter registers, and accreditation reports, which the petitioners intend to rely upon during proceedings. Based on these arguments, the petitioners are requesting several determinations from the tribunal. They seek an order canceling the elections in the polling units affected by non-compliance and corrupt practices, and an order nullifying the declaration and return of Mohammed Kasim as the election winner.
Alternatively, the petitioners ask the tribunal to declare them winners of the election, asserting that they secured the majority of lawful votes. The case places the spotlight on the tribunal, which is expected to examine documentary evidence, witness testimonies, and compliance with electoral guidelines before reaching a verdict. The outcome could either affirm the declared result or reshape the political leadership of Gwagwalada Area Council, depending on the tribunal’s findings.