The Appeal Court sitting Abuja has just declared current Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong as winner of the Plateau South senatorial elections.
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Napoleon Bali had been declared winner by the electoral umpire, INEC after he pulled 148,844 votes against Lalong of the APC who got s total of 91, 674 votes.
However, Lalong In His petition had asked the tribunal to disqualify the candidate of the PDP.
Adding that the party had no structure in the state and such did not have a ground to field candidates.
Meanwhile, Lalong had initially claimed victory at the tribunal, where Justice Muhammad Tukur, among other judges collectively ruled in his Favour, nullifying the votes of Bali.
In the Appeal filed by Bali, a three-man panel led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, authenticated the initial verdict of the tribunal.
It also added that it was right to have ruled against the PDP and its candidate.
However, Justice Elfrida In her ruling held that the PDP wasn’t in right, haven failed to conduct a fresh Congress to duly elect officers.
In her words:
“Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution said all are expected to observe orders of the court. The order was in the realm. It is binding all persons. It is immutable and until it is set aside and must be complied with.
“This issue is hereby resolved against the appellant. Invalidly nominated candidates cannot attract lawful votes. This appeal fails. The tribunal judgment is hereby affirmed,”
