By; BUHARI. B. BELLO, Jos
Plateau Central Senator, Diket Plang, Senate Committee Chairman on Employment, Labour and Productivity and also Deputy Chairman, Federal Character Commission has been duly affirmed by a tribunal sitting in Jos, as the legitimate winner of the February 25, 2023 general election.
In what is regarded as a triumphant victory for democracy and the rule of law, as soon as the verdict was passed in favour of the lawmaker, the people of Central Zone took to the streets in massive jubilation and celebration.
The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the overly defeated PDP Senatorial Candidate, Yohanna Gotom, who filed a petition against Sen. Diket Plang challenging his victory.
Accordingly, the tribunal, after about six hours of intense reading of the judgement’s summary via Zoom.
Justice Omaka Elekwa dismissed the petition based on facts including, that the result of the election is credible and valid, that the claim of over voting by G.Y Gotom is not evidential and substantial.
Also, the results of Gagdi Ward, comprising of 34 polling units were declared valid and authentic.
The judge equally stated that Prof.Sunday Dabi had no legal right to have cancelled them in the first place.
Furthermore, the tribunal holds that, the petitioner G.Y Gotom, was not properly sponsored by a political party and as such, lacked the legal backing to challenge the outcome of the election.
Chairmen of the tribunal, Justice Tukur and Justice Adetujoye concurred with the lead judgment.
