Taraba Gov’ship Tribunal: INEC declared result under duress, asks for review – NNPP Counsel insists
The Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Jalingo, on Monday reserved a date for judgement on the petition filed by the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, Professor Sani Yahya, challenging the victory of Governor Agbu Kefas, of PDP in the 2023 election, the Lead Counsel to the NNPP, Barrister Ibrahim Isiyaku, (SAN), has insisted that the INEC had declared the result of the election under duress and asked for a review.
The Tribunal, reserved a date for the judgement, after adopting the written documents of both parties.
Isiyaku made their position to
newsmen shortly after the sitting at the court’s premises situated at mile six in Jalingo, the state capital.
Barrister Ibrahim Isiyaku (SAN), alleged that there was non-accreditation of Voters during the election in some Polling Units, multiple voting, and alteration of results, among other irregularities.
He reiterated that their claim on the above-stated anomalies necessitated his Client’s decision to seek redress at the Court of Law and sought the cancellation of the said election.
Isiyaku further recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state had earlier admitted in its reports that the collation exercise was marred by violence caused by sporadic gunshots fired by soldiers and policemen.
Also speaking to Journalists, Counsel to the INEC, Barrister Emeka Okoro, said they told the Tribunal that NNPP did not present formidable evidence to prove their case, adding that the law needs concrete evidence and does not entertain hearsay.
He said they asked the Tribunal to dismiss the Petition brought before it by the New Nigeria People’s Party, saying that “the documents that the Petitioner relied upon is what the law calls hearsay.”
According to him, “The maker of the documents is supposed to be called a Witness.”
All efforts to hear from the Counsel to the PDP, Barrister Kalu Agabi (SAN), by the newsmen proved abortive as he declined to speak.
Recall that the Tribunal Chairman, Justice G.A. Sunmonu, reserved judgement shortly after the parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses.
Sunmonu revealed that the Parties would be communicated on the date set aside to deliver the Judgement.
However, commenting on the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal, the State Chairman of the NNPP, Hon. Abdullahi Ade, described the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man, insisting that the people of Taraba believe in their party, the NNPP, and claimed that they voted for its governorship candidate, Professor Sani Yahya during the 2023 election.
“The Judiciary, being the hope of the common man will be just and fair. I was present at the Court from the beginning to the end, and I saw all that took place, they will do Justice which is our Prayer.
“What we are urging our supporters is to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding citizens and we assured them that we will retrieve the mandate they gave us by electing Professor Sani Yahya as the Governor of Taraba State and was stolen by the PDP, and we so much believe that the Court will do justice for all parties, not only in Taraba but across the nation where there are cases like ours,” Ade alleged.
The NNPP State Chairman, further revealed that the Submissions of the Party are already with the Tribunal, praying that they would look at them following the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended.
“We are aware that our submissions are present with them, and we are not going to pre-empty the Court because the matter is still before it but I believe they will do Justice,” Hon. Ade reiterated.
According to him, the Court has three stages Viz, stage one which is the Tribunal which is ongoing and only has its Judgement before it ends.
We also have the Court of Appeal and finally the Supreme Court being the last, we have made our submissions and we believe that they will do what the Electoral Act says.
“We believe that before these Three Stages elapse, the Court will justify the matter brought before it by NNPP.
“We know if we win the case, they will take it to the Appeal Court and up to the Supreme Court, likewise Us, so, from the Supreme Court whoever wins, we should accept it in good faith and move the state to a greater heights,” Hon. Audu Ade said.
