A Nigerian elections tribunal on Friday invalidated the victory of opposition lawmaker Muktar Umar Yerima in Kano state’s Tarauni constituency, ordering the electoral body to revoke his certificate over evidence of a forged primary school document and name discrepancies.
The three-judge panel, chaired by Justice I.P. Chima, ruled that Yerima, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was ineligible for the House of Representatives seat he won in the disputed poll, effectively deeming the party without a candidate.
The decision stemmed from a challenge by All Progressives Congress (APC) rival Hafizu Kawu, who argued Yerima lacked qualifications. The tribunal found Yerima’s 2022 name change affidavit insufficient, noting inconsistencies with his international passports issued since 2009 bearing “Umar Mukhtar Zakari,” while his school certificate listed “Umar Mukhtar.”
Hausawa Primary School disowned the certificate presented by Yerima, the panel noted in its verdict, leading to the order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his return.
