Plateau Governorship Tribunal Commences Pre-Hearing With Inaugural Sitting

Yakubu Busari

 

The Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Plateau State on Tuesday commenced it inaugural sitting on the application brought by the Former Minister for Federal Capital Territory ,FCT , Lt General, Sen. Jeremiah Timbut Useni of People Democratic Party ,PDP ,challenging the victory of  Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressive Congress ,APC in Jos .

 

 

The suit which came up for its first inaugural sitting were Useni ,PDP Vs Independent National  Electoral Commission, INEC as first respondent ,Governor Simon Lalong as second respondent while the APC as the 3rd respondent

 

The Chairman of Governorship election tribunal ,Justice Halima Salman sued for the cooperation ,understanding of the members of the Bars for them to discharge their function effectively without any hitches .

 

She explained further that the tribunal would willing to deliver her mandate without fear or favour to any of the two parties with the mandate given .

 

The counsel to the petitioners ,(Jeremiah Useni, PDP) also disagree with the INEC that they are big masquerade set by the federal government to carry out setting function of conducting free and fair, credible election in strengthening the tenets of democratic process .

 

The reasons why PDP approach this tribunal was because they have failed to conduct free and fair election as the departed in the credibility of ensuring that the election was done in a manner that can’t attract litigation .

 

Ozekhome commended the supreme court judgment over the the Zamfara state election which has help to redefined the country infernal democracy when it past a consequential that all the votes cast for the APC  was consider as a waste as the votes was awarded to PDP .

According to him ,the supreme court has demonstrated that the judiciary remain the last hope of the common man because calling on the election petition tribunal to show transparency and deliver judgment that can make them write their names in the history of the country.

 

He faulted the statement made by the attorney General were the he said it is incumbent of politician to go to court ,if the votes of people are allow to body can go to tribunal ,” I take it that let the will of people prevail in electing the candidates of their choice no one can come to approach tribunal.

 

Mike Ozekhome told the tribunal that law is a noble profession so we most not try to create unnecessary frivolous applications and arguments that can delay them but the 180 days is still sacrosanct because the whole burden of given out credible judgment depend on the judicial functions for effective delivery judgment without fear or favour to any group  .

 

Meanwhile ,counsel to the second respondent ,INEC , Barr. T.Y Akinwwade told the tribunal that as the election umpire they are ready and prepare to cooperation with the to allow the decision of the tribunal prevailed

 

He said Plateau state is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria inspite of the skirmishes we are recently experiencing, so we assure the tribunal of the peaceful deposition of the state that the state is still safer than other states.

 

The attorney general of Plateau state also welcome the teams of the tribunal into Plateau state but urged that they should discharge their function effectively without any hindrance, as he promised to give them maximum assistant.

 

We are ready to consider that justice come to the right person who deserved it, throughout your stay in Plateau state we are willing to ensure the safety of your lives, Chris Ahmadu attorney general of Plateau state .