From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal siting in Jalingo, Taraba State capital has affirm the election of the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly and member representing Mbamga at the Taraba State House of Assembly Hon. Peter Abel Diah of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Emmanuel Bongo and his party had filed a petition to the Tribunal challenging the victory of Diah at the last State Assembly elections on two grounds and sought for nullification of the election over non compliance by the INEC during the process of the election, and that the former speaker was not a member of the All Progressives Congress APC as at the time the party (APC) nominated him (Diah) to participate in the State House of Assembly election from the Mbamga state constituency.
The three member panel led by Justice Benson Ogbu during his ruling dismissed the petition, stating that “the two petitions collapse on failure of prove by the petitioner.”
Ogbu while reading the judgement stated that during the cross examination, counsel to Diah were able to prove to the tribunal that Diah was an authentic member of the APC as at the time of the primary election.
He also said Bongo and the PDP faired to prove to the tribunal the evidence of non compliance by INEC during the state assembly election.
In his reaction, counsel to PDP Bar. Joseph Oguche said he would study the details of the judgment and consult his client for further actions.
Lawyer to APC Barr. Festus Idekpefor while commenting on the ruling hailed the three man panel for giving a straight forward judgment that could stand the test of time.