senator Prof. Nora Daduut together her husband and Council Pius Akubo SAN


By Daniel Dauda in Jos

 
The National Assembly petition elections tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau state capital have on Monday affirmed the victory of Senator Nora Daduut of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) as a duly elected Senator of the Plateau South Senatorial district bye elections.

In the four hours judgment delivered, the three man penal of the tribunal led by justice D.A. Akhobe said that the petition filed by George Daika of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Daduut lacked merit and hereby dismissed.

Daika had approached the court challenging the declaration of Senator Nora Daduut by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in the Plateau South Senatorial district bye elections of 5th December, 2020.

Some of the issues Daika also raised includes; election malpractice (over voting), Violation of electoral act (under age voting) and non qualification of the candidacy of Senator Daduut.

Recall INEC had earlier declared that Senator Daduut pulled 83,151 votes cast while Daika secured 70,838 votes and therefore, Daduut return elected having scored the highest number of votes cast and leading with about 12, 313 margin.

Akhobe maintained that the law is certain as the pronouncement by INEC stands and the second respondent Senator Daduut won with the majority lawful votes cast.

He also revealed that the petitioners achieved nothing in the testimonies of all the 15 witnesses as none of them presented a cogent evidence back their claims.

Speaking shortly after the judgment Senator Daduut dedicated the victory to God and entire people of Plateau South Senatorial district.

She called her opponent George Daika to come and join hands together and work to turn the fortune of Southern zone.

On his part Daika who spoke with Amazing Times through phone conversation accused the tribunal for shutting down their doors on them as they were not given the opportunity to present all their witnesses even the sophena witness.

He said lack confidence on the judiciary as such he it would difficult for him to challenge the judgment at appellant Court.