The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has declared former Governor of the state and now Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the duly elected person for Plateau South senatorial district.
Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Mahmoud Tukur heldon Monday that the votes scored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Napoleon Bali, in the February 25 election were wasted votes as he was invalidly nominated.
The unanimous judgment held that as of the time of the nomination, the PDP had no valid structure in the state.
On the other grounds of over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral laws, the panel ruled that the petitioners could not prove the allegations.
Similarly, the PDP lost the Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency seat to Labour Party (LP) candidate Dalyop Chollom.
The tribunal ruled that Peter Gyenden of the PDP was not validly nominated as at the time of his nomination due to his party’s no valid structure in the state.
Reacting to the judgement, Lalomg dedicated his victory at the tribunal sitting to God and the people of Plateau South Senatorial District.
Lalong, who received the good news of the tribunal’s judgement while presiding over an official function at the Ministry of Labour and Employment Abuja on Monday, said the decision of the tribunal nullifying the earlier declaration of his opponent and making him the winner is victory for democracy and justice.
He commended the tribunal for painstakingly scrutinising his arguments and presentations of his party the APC which culminated in him being declared the duly elected Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District.
The Labour Minister praised his supporters and, leadership and members of the APC in Plateau State for remaining steadfast and remaining calm while awaiting the verdict of the tribunal.
He urged them to continue to maintain peace as they celebrate, even if his opponent decides to appeal the judgement, which is his constitutionally guaranteed right.
