Nasarawa State Assembly: Tribunal Upholds Victory of Speaker, Majority Leader & Others
Amina Mohammed, Lafia.
The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, has upheld the victory of the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, (who represents Umaisha/Ugya State constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC)) and other state legislators.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Francisca Isong Nnang, upheld the victory of the speaker in a judgement that lasted for two hours and thirty minutes.
The People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the Umaisha/Ugya constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, and his party had challenged the speaker’s victory at the tribunal.
The petitioner had told the tribunal that the election was not in compliance with the Electoral Act of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the exercise.
The judge said that the petitioners failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations of overvote as well as non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.
Speaker Dedicates His Victory
Speaking in an interview, Rt Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, dedicated his Saturday’s victory at the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to God and the people of his constituency.
Abdullahi called on his opponents and the opposition parties with their members to join him in building and developing Umaisha/ Ugya for the benefit of all.
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The speaker described the victory as a confirmation of the will of the people, who voted for him in the March 18, 2023 Governorship and State Assembly Elections.
“My call to my brother and his supporters is that they should join me to develop our constituency.
“Today, I feel happy and delighted over the tribunal victory. I want to appreciate Almighty Allah for this victory. This is a victory for democracy.
“This victory is also for all the people of Umaisha/Ugya constituency, and we dedicate it to Almighty Allah.
“By God’s grace, I will continue to represent my people well and will bring speedy development to my constituency and the state at large,” he said.
Abdullahi also commended the panel of judges for delivering a well sounded and detailed judgement, saying that the judiciary has further demonstrated that it is the last hope of the common man.
READ ALSO: Nasarawa State Assembly Speakership Tussle: APC Supports Hon. Balarabe Abdullahi
He appreciated his lawyers and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for working tirelessly and presenting their case convincingly.
He assured the people of his constituency of good representation at the State Legislature:
“I will not fail the people of my constituency and the state at large, as I will continue to support Governor Abdullahi Sule to succeed.”
Majority Leader, Nasarawa State House of Assembly
Similarly, the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has also upheld the election of the Majority Leader of Nasarawa State House of Assembly and member, representing Keana constituency, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu.
The People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for Keana constituency, Hon. Basil Osheka, and his party had challenged Omadefu’s victory at the tribunal.
The judge ruled that the petitioner failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt why the tribunal should order a re-run in five polling units of Agaza ward.
Reacting to the judgement, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu extended the hand of friendship to his opponent and supporters to develop Keana constituency:
“I want to call on my opponent and his supporters to join hands with me in order to develop Keana constituency.”
Tribunal Upholds Election of Hon. David Onah Onarigu, Others
Likewise the Tribunal upheld the election of Hon. David Onah Onarigu as the duly elected member representing Udege/ Loko constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
The tribunal also upheld the election of Hon. Musa Saidu Gude as the duly elected member of Uke/ Karshi state constituency for the March 18, 2023 Election.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Francisca Isong Nnang, in a separate judgements, which lasted for about two hours each, dismissed their petitions for lacking in merit.
The candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Udege/Loko constituency, Hon. Ahmed Tanko, and his party had challenged Kana’s victory at the tribunal.
Also, the candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Uke/Karshi constituency, Hon. Abdulrasheed Haruna, and his party similarly had challenged Gude’s victory at the tribunal.
The petitioners asked the tribunal to nullify the election over non-proper inclusion of their party logo as well as non-compliance to the Electoral Act in the conduct of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge said that the NNPP candidates failed to substantially prove their cases and, therefore, dismissed the cases in its entirety.
The Lawmakers Dedicate Their Victories
In an interview, Hon. David Onah Onarigu, member representing Udege/ Loko constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, dedicated his victory at the tribunal to God and to the people of the constituency.
“I want to thank God for this victory at the tribunal again. This has affirmed the mandate given to me by the people of Udege/ Loko constituency on the March 18th election,” he said.
The lawmaker promised to provide more dividends of democracy to the people of his constituency.
Also Speaking, Hon. Musa Saidu Gude, member representing the Uke/Karshi constituency, appreciated God for the victory at the tribunal.
He also thanked the people of his constituency for their prayers and support while promising not to fail them in discharging his duties.
