September 11, (THEWILL) – The National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Jos, on Monday, sacked Peter Gyendeng of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as member representing the Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency.
The tribunal also declared Fom Chollom of the Labour Party (LP) as the validly elected winner of the February 25 National Assembly election for the Federal Constituency.
It ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return earlier issued to Gyendeng.
The judgment followed a petition filed by Chollom against the election of Gyendeng.
Chollom had contended that Gyendeng was not validly nominated by the PDP as a candidate for the National Assembly election. He prayed the court to nullify his victory.
In a related development, the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Jos has dismissed the petition filed by Alfred Dabwan, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the March 18 gubernatorial election in Plateau State.
Dabwan had challenged the declaration of Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the governorship election.
In his petition filed before the Tribunal, Dabwan sought nullification of the March 18, 2023, election over what he termed the unlawful exclusion of the NNPP logo by INEC in the ballot.
Meanwhile, the PDP has commended the judgment of the Governorship Election Tribunal.
The party, in a statement issued on Monday, by its Publicity Secretary in the State, said the decision of the tribunal had validated the victory of Mutfwang at the polls, adding that it further proved that the Governor was the popular choice of Plateau people.
“The Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Jos has upheld the victory of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang by dismissing the petition by the candidate of the NNPP, Alfred Dabwan, challenging his victory.
“The party commends the judgment of the tribunal as sound and a validation of the decision of the majority of Plateau citizens, who voted for the Governor overwhelmingly.
“We believe that it is on the account of the Governor’s sterling competence and capacity that he was elected by the people. PDP congratulates our dear Governor, and as a party, we believe that this victory has further strengthened his vision for the State.
“It will also boost his motivation to perform his functions as vested in him by the people of Plateau and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” said Akans.
About the Author
