The Taraba State election petition tribunal has nullified a petition brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the election of Governor Darius Ishaku.
The court on Friday said the APC’s petition was not brought by competent applicants, since the first petitioner, Abubakar Danladi, had been disqualified by successive judgements from appearing as a candidate for the APC in the March 9 election.
The court also ruled that the allegations of election malpractices brought by the APC did not include sufficient evidence to warrant a nullification of the election.
Danladi and his party had accused the PDP of massive election rigging.
The APC also alleged that it had polled a majority of lawful votes in the election.
But a three-member panel of the Court on Friday said the decision of various courts including the Supreme Court which ruled against the candidacy of Danladi in the elections following an intra-party dispute, had rendered the petition incompetent.
In Abia state, there is also jubilation as the court affirms the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Ikpeazu has dedicated the victory to Abia people and expressed his profound gratitude to God Almighty for granting him victory at the Governorship Elections Tribunal.
The tribunal delivered judgement Friday dismissing in its entirety, the petition filed by All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and her candidate, Alex Oti.
The Governor told reporters that he bore no grudges against those who challenged his election, noting that they did so in exercise of their rights. He however urged them to sheathe swords and join him in the building of the State.
He also thanked the people of Abia State who elected him overwhelmingly and have stood by him all these while, assuring them that this judicial victory will energize him further to work harder for the peace, order and good government of Abia State.
Ikpeazu thanked the Judges of the Tribunal for standing strong and firm in the defense of the choice made by our people during the last elections, and for resisting any attempt to use the hallowed chambers of the judiciary as a theatre where the democratic yearnings and aspirations of our people are dismembered and destroyed. The Governor also saluted the industry and handwork of his legal team in brilliantly marshaling his case.
“More than ever before, we shall henceforth be relentless in the vigorous pursuit of our developmental agenda for the people of Abia State”. Ikpeazu concluded.
Also on Friday, the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba ruled that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state was duly elected.
The tribunal dismissed the matter brought against Okowa by the APC and affirmed him rightly elected.
