The Taraba State governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Jalingo, on Saturday, upheld the election of Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the governor of the state.
The three-man panel headed by Justice G.A Sunmonu dismissed the petition jointly filed by the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, and its governorship candidate in the March 2023 general election, Professor Yahaya Sani, on the grounds of lack of sufficient evidence.
NNPP, and its gubernatorial candidate, had earlier filed a petition before the tribunal seeking the cancellation of the election which they alleged was characterized by irregularities.
Another relief sought by the NNPP and its guber candidate, was for the tribunal to order a fresh election in the state.
The party also alleged non-compliance with the electoral ACT 2022, as a major reason for its demand for the cancellation of the election.
The party, which also alleged that the incumbent governor of the state was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast, earlier urged the tribunal to nullify the certificate of return issued to the governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Delivering judgment, the panel unanimously ruled that the petition filed by both NNPP and its gubernatorial candidates lacked merits.
Justice G.A Sunmonu, the three-man panel, collectively dismissed the petition, stating that the petitioners failed to justify the relief they sought.
Elated by the judgement, the Deputy Governor, All Aminu Alkali, called on the NNPP and other opposition political parties in the state to join hands with the incumbent governor to move the state forward.
Also overwhelmed by the judgement, the counsels to the PDP, applauded the panel for the judgement.
