The Court of Appeal in Abuja-Nigeria has declared David Jimkuta as the validly elected senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Taraba South senatorial district in the forthcoming elections.
In a judgement delivered on Wednesday, the 3-man panel of the appellate court set aside the decision of the Federal High Court, Jalingo, which dismissed Jimkuta’s suit challenging his substitution with Mr. Danjuma Shiddi.
Justice Hamman Barka, who read the judgment, held that the primary election which produced Jimkuta was conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC and was valid in accordance with the relevant laws.
The court held that “only the NWC of the APC has the powers, the rights, and vires to conduct a valid primary election for the party.”
Mr. David Jimkuta had won the APC primary election for Taraba South but was wrongfully substituted by his party with the current member representing Wukari and Ibi federal constituency, Danjuma Shiddi.
Jimkuta, who was disatisfied with his substitution, headed to the Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba state, to seek redress, having won the party’s primary election with 170 votes against Shiddi who polled 70 votes.
He then prayed the court to declare him the winner of the primary and stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Shiddi, who came second, as the APC senatorial candidate for Taraba South.
Reacting to the judgement, Jimkuta thanked the judiciary for restoring his mandate, saying “it was a victory for democracy, the people of Taraba South and the entire APC family.”
He called on his opponents to join hands with him and work towards the party’s victory in all elections.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
