Appeal Court Affirms Tribunal Judgement, Dismisses Parradang Petition

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Cour of Appeal sitting in Jos has affirmed the judgement of the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which affirmed the election of Senator Ezekiah Dimka of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for Plateau Central Senatorial zone.

The Court in its judgement dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the election, Nde Parradang David.

The Court held that Dimka scored the majority of lawful votes in the election. He polled 149, 457 votes against Parradang who scored 145, 048.

The appellant had approached the court to declare him the winner or order a rerun in some Polling Units citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 and corrupt practices as basis for his pleas.

The three reliefs sought were dismissed for lack of merit as the appellant failed to prove its case.

The Cross – Appeal filed by Senator Dimka was also dismissed for lack of merit.

While speaking with journalists after the judgement, the respondent’s lead Counsel, G.S Pwul, SAN said that the judgement was a true reflection of what transpired during the elections and at the tribunal.

He urged the appellant to accept the judgement in good faith and work with the Senator to improve the lots of the people in the zone.

In his response, member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi said that the APC is happy with the judgements. He said that the National Assembly is working with the executive arm to ensure that the budget cycle is returned to January-December. He added that President Muhammadu Buhari is righting the wrongs of the past and appealed to Nigerians to give him their support.

He stressed that people of PKK has “given us their lives. We are also giving them our lives in return. We will do our best.”