The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos has declared Simon Lalong as the duly elected senator to represent Plateau South Senatorial District.

The Tribunal held that the votes scored by Napoleon Bali in the February 25, 2023 general elections were wasted votes as he was invalidly nominated, saying that at the time of the nomination, the PDP had no valid structure in Plateau state.

In the same vein, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at High Court Jos also dismissed the petition filed by Alfred Dabwan and his NNPP against Caleb Mutfwang.

The petitioners approached the Tribunal seeking the nullification of the March 18, 2023, governorship election which INEC declared and returned Caleb Mutfwang for unlawful exclusion of the logo of NNPP by INEC in the ballot.

Also, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos declared Fom Dalyop Chollom of the Labour Party winner of February 25, 2023, National Assembly Elections for Barkin Ladi Riyom federal constituency.

Fom had challenged the declaration of Peter Gyenden of the PDP of the said election by INEC on the ground that Gyenden was not validly nominated as the PDP at the time of the nomination had no valid structure.

Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has hailed the verdict of the Tribunal which ruled in his favour, following a petition by Alfred Clark Dabwang, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the March, 18th 2023, governorship election.

The judgment read by Hon. Justice A. Y. Joh, dismissed the petition filed by the NNPP candidate, who alleged the exclusion of his party’s logo.

The tribunal confirmed Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected Governor of Plateau state.

Reacting to the judgment, Governor Mutfwang, described it as a validation of the people’s will in Plateau State and expressed his confidence in the upcoming judgments.

He stated: “We give thanks to God Almighty, the ultimate Judge. We were confident in the outcome of this election, which was clearly in our favour. We commend the Judiciary for upholding the voters’ choice.”

Regarding the judgments’ assertion that the petition was frivolous and unnecessary, the governor emphasized that democracy allows everyone to voice their concerns, but ultimately, justice prevails.

Governor Mutfwang said the ruling has brought joy not only to the PDP but to the entire population of Plateau State and to democracy as a whole.

He noted that the Tribunal had rendered eight judgments, all in favour of the PDP, adding that ‘this has reinforced the party’s victory in the previous elections.

He said, “Despite the distractions caused by these cases, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to providing effective governance for the people of Plateau State and praised his team for their dedication. We are pleased to be approaching the conclusion of these cases, and while one more Governorship petition remains, we remain hopeful and confident it will also be resolved in our favour. We look forward to closing this chapter and focusing on the task of governance.”

Earlier, the Tribunal had adopted the written submissions of both the respondents and petitioners in the case involving Nentawe Yilwatda of the APC and Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of the PDP.

A date for the judgment will be communicated to both parties. (The Nation)

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