The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State Capital on Tuesday affirmed the election of Senator Istifanus Gyang of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the valid winner of the February election into the Senate.
The Tribunal also dismissed the petition filed by Hon. Sanusi Mohammed Inuwa of the United Progressive Party, UPP, against Gyang for the seat of Senate, Plateau Northern Senatorial District.
The tribunal Chairman, Justice Theophilus Nzeugwu, while delivering his judgment dismissed Inuwa’s petition, saying, “the Petitioner has woefully failed to prove his case”.
DAILY POST recalls that Sanusi Inuwa had petitioned the tribunal, alleging that the Logo of his party, the UPP was wrongly excluded by INEC in the Senatorial election of Plateau North in the Election of 23rd February 2019.
Inuwa had asked the tribunal to cancel the election of Senator I.D. Gyang and conduct a fresh election.
Senator I.D Gyang and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who are respondents in the suit submitted that Inuwa Sanusi couldn’t have contested the election in Plateau North Senatorial District as his party, the UPP fielded him as their candidate for Plateau South Senatorial District as evident in form CF200 which it rightly submitted to INEC.
Also, Inuwa’s party, the 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.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Senator Gyang, Barrister Niri Dorong said it was a welcome development, noting that they have proved that the petitioner has no case against his client.
Also speaking, the Petitioner’s Counsel, 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 Gyang is the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence in the 9th Assembly.
