Governorship: Senator Lado Drags CPC, INEC To Court Over Masari

ABUJA, Feb 01, (THEWILL) - Senator Garba Yakubu Lado, one of the leading gubernatorial aspirants of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Katsina State has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the leadership of the party before an Abuja Federal High Court over the submission of the name of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the April general election.

In a petition addressed to the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega dated February 01, 2011 counsel to Lado, Mr. Ricky Tarfa SAN, alleged that a “doctored list of candidates” was forwarded by the CPC leadership to the commission.

“This kind of manipulation negates in fundamental terms the principles and spirit of party democracy as enshrined in the constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended,” Tarfa wrote.

Lado attached a copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of the commission entitled, “Forwarding of reports on political parties congresses and primaries in Katsina State”, signed by Adamu Saleh Hadejia on behalf of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, conveying the report of the January 15th, 2011 convention of the party which produced him as the winner of the CPC gubernatorial ticket.

“We now put you on notice that our instructions are to commence an action to redress the injustice and electoral fraud visited upon our clients by some powerful but unscrupulous elements in the national leadership of the CPC in a court of law,” the letter read partly.

The CPC had on Monday, forwarded Masari’s name as its gubernatorial candidate in Katsina State for the April polls.

Senator Lado, who was earlier declared winner of the CPC primary, had named Alhaji Abdulazeez Musa Yar’adua, one of the younger brothers of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, as running mate.