Tribunal Upholds Election Of Senator ID Gyang, Strikes Out Petition Filed By Sanusi Moh’d Inuwa
The National and State House of Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State had on Tuesday struck out the petition filed by the Candidate of the United Progressive Party UPP Sanusi Moh’d Inuwa challenging the election of Senator Istifanus Dung Gyang of the People Democratic Party PDP as the winner of the Plateau North Senatorial seat.
Delivering judgement, Chairman of the Tribunal Hon. Justice Theophilus N. Nzeogwu held that the petition cannot be so sustained and struck out the petition on that ground that the Petitioner has woefully failed to prove his case.
“The petitioner failed to prove his petition because he did not tender any document to show that he was indeed validly nominated to contest for the Plateau North Senatorial District”.
Inuwa the party, UPP, had earlier informed the tribunal that Inuwa was nominated for Plateau South Senatorial District and not Plateau North Senatorial District as claimed by Inuwa.
The National Secretary of the UPP was sub poenaed to the Tribunal where he testified that the UPP sponsored the petitioner for Plateau South and not Plateau North as seen in the certified true copy of the form UPP submitted to INEC.
The Tribunal however proceeded to dismiss the petition of Inuwa, said the petitioner has woefully failed to prove his case.
In his response, the defence counsel, Barrister Niri Darong said it was a welcome development noting that they have proved that the petitioner has no case against his client.
The Petitioners counsel, Barr George O. Izere said that the beauty of the matter is that the petitioner has ventilated his grievances and the court has decided.
On whether the petitioner would appeal the judgement, Izere said: “my client would decide that”.
Senator ID Gyang who is the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence in the 9th Assembly while reacting on the judgement said he owe his victory to God and dedicate it to the people who are the owners of the mandate.
“It is however needful to say that the petition was a needless distraction and an attempt to gain by fraud what can only be gotten through the free exercise of the peoples franchise.
“No wonder, it was struck out for being incompetent and dismissed on its merit.
“Our confidence in God and our people has been reinforced and strengthened.
“We therefore remain ever committed to the pursuit and attainment of our set goal in deploying the mandate to Secure the people through peace, Reconcile the people and empower the people.
