Jonathan Dabo Loses Again at the Appeal Court

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last House of Representatives election in Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency in Plateau state, Hon Jonathan Dabo has again lost at the Appeal Court.

Dabo was challenging the Tribunal judgement which affirmed the declaration of Hon Haruna Maitala of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as the lawful winner of the election having polled the highest number of lawful votes in the election.

In a consensus judgement led by Justice Habib Abiru, delivered by Justice, Mudaseer Oniyangi, the Court held that the election tribunal was right to say that Maitala, was returned in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended

Dabo had in appeal No.CA/J/EPT/PL /NA/HR/381/2019, challenged the election of Maitala, alleging that he did not win with a lawful number of votes.

He alledged that there was valid election at Tudun Wada/Kabong ward, on 23 February, 2019, but was wrongly cancelled by the Collation Officer of Jos North Local Government Area, but that supplementary election was held on the 9th of March, 2019.

“I hold that the appellant did not protest the conduct of the rerun, and had duly participated. The results stand”. The Justice declared.

Justice Abiru held that the claim of the petitioner failed and “the decision of the tribunal was right. The appellate court cannot dismiss the decision of the tribunal.”

The appellant polled 117, 175 votes against Maitala who scored 118, 774 votes.

The Court held that the Tribunal was right to strike out Paragraph 22a 1-12 and B 1-6.

The Court, therefore, dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.