Plateau South Senatorial: Tribunal Upheld Longjan Election, Dismissed PDP Petition

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting at High Court in Jos, Plateau State capital has upheld the victory of Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial Zone, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a six-hour judgement delivered by the Chairman of the tribunal on Tuesday, the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the election, Hon Maimako Bello was dismissed for failure to prove the allegations.

The Petitioner had approached the tribunal to declare him the winner of the election having secured the highest number of valid votes saying that irregularities and none compliance with the Electoral law and guidelines made the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declare Longjan as the winner.

However, the former deputy governor of the state, Longjan was said to have secured the highest number of valid votes as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

While reacting on the judgement, the Director-General of the Ignatius Lonjan Campaign Organisation, Hon Peter Kefas thanked God for the victory. He lauded the tribunal panel for their thoroughness throughout the period.

Kefas also appreciated the good people of the Plateau South Senatorial Zone for overwhelmingly voting for his principal. He added that the Senator would continue to give the zone adequate representation in the Senate promising that the Senator would ensure that the people in the zone enjoy the dividends of democracy.

While reacting on his principal’s readiness peradventure the petitioner chose to appeal. He said, “we are fully prepared because we know that we won the election fair and square”.