Why Tribunal Upheld The Election Of   Governor Simon Lalong And Dismissed The Petition Of Pwajok

Yakubu Busari

The Governorship election petition   Tribunal Holden in Jos has upholds the election of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressive Congress.

While delivering  the judgment on Monday at the High Court 6 ,Chairman of the three jurists ,Justice Johnson Candide said out of the 89 wards in the 7 local governments been brought by the petitioner couldn’t be prove .

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal held that only two of the polling agents were able to prove case, he said PDP presented 32 witnesses who speak mostly in Hausa Language.

Justice’s Candide upholds that the People Democratic Party, presentation was so poor that the tribunal lack the power to nullify Governor,Simon Lalong victory of 11th April,2015.

The candidate of the People Democratic Party ,Sen GNS Pwajok filed the petition against Lalong , the candidate of the All Progressive Congress.

Challenging the declaration at the election tribunal.

Tribunal chairman reaffirmed that governorship election in7.  LGs of Plateau state which include, Mangu , Pankshin, Jos North ,Shendam, Wase ,Jos East and Kanam. With a total votes different of 44,646 votes. Which cannot be prove by the petitioner counsel.

However, the Judge alleged that the issue of malpractice, over voting intimidation were the complaints been brought before the tribunal but lack substantial evidence whether election was marred by irregularities.

The tribunal delivering judgment in a petition filed by the PDP and its candidate in the election, GNS Pwajok, seeking the nullification of the election of the Governor,Simon Lalong  of the APC lack merits.

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Plateau  State on Monday affirmed the April 11 election in 17 Local Government Areas of the state as the most peaceful and credible election .

The three-member tribunal, presided over by Justice Johnson Candide, applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission for to conducting free and fair elections in 17 LGAs.

He said the testimony of the two witnesses, Garba Daho contradicted themselves that will never be admissible by the tribunal, two convincing. Witness statements cannot grantee the nullification and are not reliable to the effect nullification of this election or did not hold where he voted

The judge held that the allegations of irregularities and non-availability of election materials in the affected LGAs were also not proved by the petitioners for lack grounds for him to prove it.

Reacting to the decision, counsel to the petitioners, Sony Odey , said the judgment was a victory for democracy.

We hereby learnt from my lordship the way they conducted themselves, so we share in this judgment praying to for good health.

On his part, counsel to APC Bar Jonathan Mawiyau assured, the people of plateau state that the government is committed to the plight and development of the state.

We appreciate the tribunal for helping to educate and improve their young lawyer’s .we give glory and gratefulness to the thorough job.

Counsel to the 3rd respondent, SAN Garba Pwul commended the tribunal for doing a thorough job to help us developed the state.

We stress Plateau people are known for their peaceful nature and loving each other so this will go a long way affirms our commitment as people.

We bear no grudges as the state, greater united with this victory which will move us better.

The state Chairman of the PDP Mr Raymond Dabo congratulated the Governor Lalong for his landslide victory which we are now saying it’s for the very first time because we refused to do so due to task ahead.

Dabo said they would study the content of the judgment and decide on the next line of action.

It will be recalled that the petitioners had asked the tribunal to nullify the April 11 election on the ground that it was marred by irregularities.