PDP Expresses Disapointment in Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Verdict, Heads to Appeal Court

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Plateau State chapter has expressed disappointment in the verdict of the governorship election petition tribunal judgement delivered on Wednesday.

The party described the judgement as a miscarriage of justice stating that it would appeal the judgement.

In a press release issued by the Chairman of the party in the state, Hon Damishi T. Sango, he said that the party is deeply saddened and disturbed by the miscarriage of justice and seeming continuous robbery of the people’s mandate, as displayed by the tribunal.

Sango said that after the meeting with the party’s team of lawyers, the party has decided to appeal the judgement. He added that the celebration is only delayed.

He thanked the party’s candidate, J.T Useni for agreeing with the party to go to court and the members and supporters for their supports throughout the period the tribunal lasted. He urged them not to lose faith in the competence of the legal team.

The statement read:

“The Plateau State Governorship Election Tribunal, sitting in Jos, today, October 2, 2019, delivered its judgment in the petition between our candidate, Senator (Gen.) J.T. Useni & Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) versus the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barr. Simon Lalong & the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“On behalf of the entire leadership of the Party, I wish to state unequivocally our disappointment in the outcome of proceedings this afternoon.

“As in previous judgments involving our candidates, we are deeply, and disturbed by the miscarriage of justice and seeming continuous robbery of the people’s mandate, as displayed by the tribunal.

“Following this ugly development, the leadership of the Party, our candidate and our team of lawyers met this evening and reviewed the whole outing.

“It is our firm conviction that the judgment and pronouncements made by the honourable tribunal on issues brought before it will not stand, moving forward.

“It is our considered position that the tribunal has merely delayed our celebration as this judgment is not standing on four legs.

“Accordingly, our ever hardworking, scholarly and resourceful team of lawyers have swung into action and would head to the appellate tribunal, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“I, therefore, call on all Party faithful and supporters to, in their usual manner, remain calm, optimistic and prayerful.

“Meantime, I wish to use this opportunity to publicly appreciate the legal team, which worked assiduously to canvass convincingly our position at the tribunal.

“I sincerely thank our candidate, Senator J. T. Useni who did not only agree to approach the tribunal but was resilient and exemplary in every aspect, while the case lasted at the lower tribunal.

“We are indebted to our ever loyal Party men and women, supporters, friends, and well-wishers who defied the sun and the rain, coming out in their numbers, to demonstrate support for our candidate and the Party, while the case lasted. We remain proud of your peaceful conduct in and out of the courtrooms.

“As I mentioned earlier, our celebration has only been delayed by the tribunal. Do not lose faith and trust in the competence of the legal team.

“Remain positive, strong, focused and prayerful as the Lord God Almighty is not yet done with Plateau State.

The tribunal had on Wednesday dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Senator J.T Useni for failure to prove its petition and upheld the election of Governor Simon Bako Lalong.