Opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger state has recorded a major victory as the National Assembly Electoral Petitions Tribunal on Friday upturned the result of the August 30, 2014 Niger East by-election by declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Barrister David Umaru as the winner of the election.
The Tribunal has directed INEC to issue a certificate of return to Umaru as the bonafide winner of the by-election.
The tribunal declared the APC candidate winner having returned 79,779 votes as against Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had 68,525 votes.
The 3 man tribunal which sat on Friday was chaired by Justice Ibrahim Bako noted that Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu did not win majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared on the 7th of September, 2014 that Nuhu of PDP polled 92,050 votes while Umaru had 87,425 votes which made Barrister Umaru to go to the tribunal.
According to the verdict, “that an order is hereby granted nullifying the results of one hundred or so polling units out of the polling units that were affected by the non-compliances to the Electoral Act.
“That an order is granted nullifying the return of the 1st Respondent (Nuhu) on the ground that he did not win the majority of the lawful votes cast at the election held on the 30th August, 2014 and concluded on the 6th September, 2014 at the Niger East Senatorial district.
“That an order declaring the 1st Petitioner as the winner of the election held on the 30th August but concluded on the 6th September, 2014, having won the majority of the lawful votes at the election and he is hereby granted.
“That an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to the 1st Petitioner forthwith as the duly elected Senator of Niger East Senatorial district, Niger State”
The Lead counsel to Barrister David Umaru, Barrister Chris Osuagwu commended the judgement saying that the faith in the judiciary has been upheld.
“We give glory to God for this judgment. Today’s judgment has shown that no matter how long evil thrives, judgment must surely prevail. The tribunal has given judgment and it shows that there is hope for the masses.
While Counsel to the respondent, Barrister Musa Sulaiman said that his client will respect the decision of the tribunal.
There was jubilation in the Niger state APC following the result as the party congratulated the judiciary for keeping the hope of the masses alive.
The party however called on their supporters and the people of the state to be calm and ensure that they vote for the party in next month elections.
Meanwhile, the Niger state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on its members to remain calm and committed to winning the forthcoming general elections saying that PDP is still the party to beat.
A statement signed by Hassan Saba Niger state Public Relations Officer (PRO), said the PDP is studying the judgment adding that the judgment has nothing to do with the opportunities of the party at the polls.
“Let me call on our teeming supporters to remain calm. The judgment has further motivated us to work harder to harness established electoral fortunes of the PDP. We are not deterred, we have been victorious and we will always remain committed to sustain our victories in the state since 1999.
“I call on our party faithful’s to ensure they have voters card before the next general election. They must use their voters cards to rubbish the verdict by electing PDP candidates across all elective positions especially the zone B senatorial candidate.”
