Tribunal upheld elections of Plateau Assembly Deputy speaker,Rt.Hon Gwottson Fom….Dismisses petition against Sani Idris
By Daniel Agada, Jos
The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, has on Tuesday affirmed the election of Deputy speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.Gwottson Dalyop Fom, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Jos South Constituency Election seat held on 18th March,2023.
Having dissatisfied with the outcome of the said election, the petitioners Dalyop Issac Gyang of All Progressive Congress,APC, in suit number EPT/PL/SHA/02/2023 challenged the returned of Gwottson Dalyop Fom by INEC.
Our correspondent learned that the grounds upon which the petitioners petition was predicated is that, as at the time of the conduct of 18th March, 2023, election of Jos South state Constituency,PDP doesn’t have a valid structure to nominate and sponsor Gwottson Dalyop Fom.
The petitioners also alleged non compliance with electoral guideline by reasons of over voting and mutilation of election results, urging the Tribunal to declared the election of the 2nd respondent (Gwottson Fom) null and void and to order INEC to withdraw the certificate of return and give to the 1st petitioner (Dalyop Isaac Gyang) having emerged second in the election.
While delivering it’s judgment on the matter, Hon.Justice Rotimi Williams Olamide, held that the petitioners lacks a locus standi to challenge the nomination and sponsorship of the 2nd respondent.
He said the issue of nomination and sponsorship of a candidate to stand for election is squarely within the domestic affairs of the political.
On the allegation of non usage of Bimodal voters accreditation system,BVAS, mutilation of election results, Tribunal posits that the evidence of PW1 based on hearsay.
“The petitioners cannot make mere allegation of non compliance without a substantial proved they need to do more.
“Therefore, the petitioners having failed woefully cannot enjoy the sympathy of the Tribunal. I hereby dismissed the petition for lacking in merit and affirmed the return of the 2nd respondent, Rt.Hon. Gwottson Dalyop Fom as the duly elected member representing Jos South Constituency in the Plateau state 10th Assembly.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the Tribunal verdict, the Deputy speaker Plateau state House of Assembly, Gwottson Dalyop Fom, “I am excited and glad that the constituents of Jos South had their mandate maintained, because over 80,000 came out and vote. I am sure those people are busy celebrating.
“The victory means more work, more dividends of democracy.I will always stand on the path of truth as I always do, and whatever we can do to defend the interest of the masses we would do.I can assured you Jos south should be ready for the very best from me…”
In another development, the Tribunal dismissed petition in suit number EPT/PL/SHA/10/2023 between Hon.Abdul Adamu Yanga of (APC) against Hon. Abubakar Sani Idris (PDP) for Mangu North-East Constituency seat.
Recall the petitioners, Abdul Yanga and APC approached the Tribunal challenging the victory of Abubakar Idris on the grounds of non qualification and non compliance with the electoral act during the conduct of Mangu North-East state constituency held 18th March, 2023.
Hon.Justice Emmanuel Nwazunku PhD acknowledged that having take careful perusal of documents tendered before the Tribunal and evidence of PW1 and PW2, the petitioners devoted their whole energy on ground one which is not applicable in the instant petition.
“The petition hold no any merit of it kind. I hereby dismissed the petition in its entirety for lacking in merit and affirmed the return of Hon.Abubakar Sani Idris as duly elected member of Mangu North-East state constituency.”
