BY CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos on Wednesday threw out the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Jeremiah T. Useni for lack of merit.
Accordingly, the three man Tribunal unanimously upheld the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and its candidate, Simon Lalong, in the last February 23 governorship election in Plateau State.
Delivery the judgement, chairman of the Tribunal, Justice H. E. Saleeman, who read the unanimous ruling, said the petitioner failed to prove the grounds of its petition before the Tribunal, and as such cannot expect the Tribunal to do the work of the petitioner.
On the ground of fake credentials and lack of qualification to contest the election as brought against the APC candidate, Simon Lalong, the Tribunal, according to its chairman, Justice Saleeman, held that this was not “fundamental”, noting that all the certificates in view are linked to one and the same person, and have never been challenged before.
The Tribunal also held that the claim of over voting could not be substantiated by the petitioner beyond speculation, and to that extent held that the APC candidate, Simon Bako Lalong, won the highest number of votes cast in that election, and deserves to be declared and returned winner as was properly done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, not satisfied with the judgement, the PDP and its Candidate, Senator Useni said they are proceeding on appeal.
