Plateau North: LP Candidate ,Gyang Zi Vows To Reclaim Mandate In Tribunal

Yakubu Busari, Jos

The Labour Party,LP, Senatorial Candidate of Plateau Northern Zone ,Barr.Gyang Zi has vowed to reclaim his stolen mandate from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hin Simon Mwadkon owning to the existence of the party bedeviling the structure across the state.

He disclosed this after the inaugural sitting held at the State High Court on Wednesday in Jos .

He said best on the ruling delivered by Justice S.P.Gang, Justice Arum Ashom, and the supreme court dismissing the petition filed by PDP seeking the interpretation of the court judgment barring the PDP from participating in the Local Government elections in 2021,Gyang Zi disclosed that PDP lacks locus standing to participate in 2023  because they didn’t have party Exco ( structure ).

He stated that “I am very comfortable with the galaxies of the election tribunal panel comprises of jurists of high reputable characters coming to preside over the senatorial, Federal House of Representatives and the state house of Assembly.

The Tribunal listed some petitions for the prehearing session today but the candidate of PDP counsel, Barr.Pius Akubo pleaded for an extension of time because they’re yet to put their house in order,” he said.

According to him, in my petition, I have good grounds to challenge the outcome of the election conducted on 25th of April, 2023 that herald the victory of the PDP candidate and we the aggrieved opposition now approached the Election Tribunal.

He appealed to supporters to remain calm and be organized to await the Tribunal which the chairman assured everyone of fair hearing.

The Chairman of the Election Tribunal ,Justice Olumide in his inaugural speech promised to be fear to all litigants ,saying,” We are grateful to God Almighty to serve here as National ,And state Assembly even though the Tribunal has come late in schedule due to delay in filing and exchange of the processes.

He explained that in Nigeria after the elections the outcome is greeted with a series of petitions from the aggrieved oppositions who are seeking redress.

Olumide emphasized that the election tribunal panel is made of men and women of integrity that are ready to discharge their responsibility without fear or favor because they’re guided by  great philosophy of the wise.

He maintained that,”we are determined to abide by the oaths of office to ensure we should open to all litigants in handling the election tribunal with no bias mind.

The rule of electoral act counsels should avoid unnecessary adjournment and abide to the duty of miscarriage of justice by filing their client’s case in a proper manner, “he said.

According to the Tribunal, there are over 17 cases handled by the second panel which all shall be determined on merits, we appeal to all litigants to accord this Tribunal quick dispensation of justice within the 180 days given to the presidential, governorship, National and state Assembly respectively.

Olumide tasked journalists to be professional in their reportage and ensure that they balance and confirm with the Tribunal Secretariat before going to press because the office is open to confirmation of all information.

He called on the litigants to cooperate with the Tribunal Secretariat to enable them to discharge their duty effectively the success of the proceedings depends on the commitment of all a sundry so that judgment shall be delivered.

While responding, Barr .Pius A. Akubo welcomes the Tribunal chairman and the Secretariat on behalf of the inner and outer bar after the inaugural sitting.

As counsels, we are determined to give all the necessary cooperation as lawyers and clients because of the election tribunal is so generous and they can’t delay the process because it is a status bar so there is a need to do everything to collapse all.

He assured the Tribunal of giving them maximum cooperation to achieve the desired result, we are going to kick start the process of the prehearing session to enable litigants to start on a solid foundation.

However, they pleaded with the Tribunal to extend the sitting to next Tuesday to afford them the opportunity to complete all the necessary filing.