The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, has upheld the election of Senators Joshua Dariye of the Labour Party (Plateau Central) and that of Victor Lar of the Peoples Democratic Party (Plateau South) to represent their respective constituencies at the National Assembly.
Senator Dariye was challenged at the tribunal by Dawuda Gowon of the PDP in the April 26 election, who alleged that the poll was rigged.
However, Justice Joseph Jalla dismissed his case on grounds that the failed to prove his allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
On his side, Senator Lar’s electoral victory was contested by? the candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Lt. General Jeremiah Hussaini (rtd), but it was also thrown out on the grounds that the petition lacked merit as the petitioner could not provide proof of the alleged irregularities, multiple voting as well as snatching of ballot papers in Shendam,
Wase,Quanpan and Mikang local Governments areas respectively.
Responding on behalf of the DPP shortly after the judgement, Dr. Alexendar Kebang lamented that the tribunal did not hearer out all the 15 witnesses of the petitioners, and accused the tribunal of not being fair.
The tribunal also upheld the election of Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan of the Labour Party to represent Jos North in the state Assembly.
?His election was challenged in the tribunal by Benjamin Jang of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who alleged multiple voting after his agents were barred from representing him at the polling units in Anguwan Rogo, Ali Kazaure, Abba na Shehu and Ibrahim Katsina wards. The tribunal dismissed the petition for lack of proof.