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From Gyang Bere, Jos
The National Assembly Election Tribunal has declared candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Alh. Gwani Alkali as the duly elected Member for Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
The tribunal nullified the election of Musa Agah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was returned elected during the February 26, 2022 bye-election.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Hope Ozoh who read the Judgement said the PRP was able to established that the PDP had no valid nominated candidate during the bye-election and there were cases of over voting.
The Judge said, “As of the time of the election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had no valid nominated candidate because of the previous court ruling and there were cases of over voting”
The tribunal knocked out over 13, 000 votes against the candidate of PDP and declared the candidate of the PRP election and directed INEC to issue him certificate of return.
Reacting to the Judgement, Counsel to the PRP candidate, Yakubu Eruba SAN said the Judgement was a victory to democracy and appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the 2022 Amended electoral law.
“This is a victory to the people of Plateau State, this is a victory to all of us and a victory to the Judiciary. The tribunal decided on two basic issues, and one there was no valid nomination for the PDP, the entire process was on a faulty foundation.
“Secondly, I must commend the President for signing the 2022 Electoral Act into operation which was duly signed a day before the bye-election took place. With the introduction of BVAS into the law, it was difficult for politicians to rig election because once you vote in a Constituency, it reflects at the National Headquarters of INEC and at the end of the election, it will be compare and that is exactly what happen in this election and it is one of the grounds that was uphold by the tribunal.” He stated.
The Candidate of the PRP, Alh. Gwani Alkali expressed excitement over the judgement and requested INEC to issue him certificate of return.
He appreciated the Judiciary for upholding the hope of the common man, saying he is coming form a minority party but the Court decided the case in his favour.
