PDP loses bid to challenge Al-Makura’s victory in court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sen. Suleiman Adokwe on Friday lost their bid to challenge the victory of Senator Al-makura Tanko of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last senatorial election.

Their petition was struck out by the National and State Houses of Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia.

The petition was challenging Al-Makura as the winner of the Nassarawa South Senatorial seat.

It was gathered that Adokwe, a three-term Senator from the state, contested that Al-Makura was unlawfully declared winner of the poll, claiming that the polls did not comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2010.

He had also alleged intimidation of voters, unlawful cancellation of votes and malpractice during the election.

Meanwhile, in a unanimous judgment, read by its chairman, Justice David Ugoh, the tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove that the respondent had not scored the highest lawful votes at the election.

Read also: Al-Makura vacates Government House for incoming governor

He held that the petitioner also failed to prove non-compliance with the electoral act, how voters were prevented from voting, the illegal cancellation of results and how malpractice were carried out.

Ugoh explained that the petitioner also failed to provide witnesses from the various polling units to prove the allegations, instead brought a witness who was not a polling unit agent.

He, therefore, said that the burden of proof lay with the petitioner.

“Hence he failed to prove that, we, therefore, uphold the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

Ugoh said that the petition was lacking in merit.

In his reaction, counsel to the petitioner, Israel Usman, said they were displeased with the judgment and would study it to decide their next line of action.

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