By NAN
The National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lafia has affirmed the election of the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, who represents Umaisha/Ugya state constituency.
The three-member panel led by Justice Francisca Nnang on Saturday in Lafia re-affirmed the election of the speaker.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Umaisha/Ugya, Mr Ibrahim Sa’ad, and his party had challenged the Abdullahi’s victory at the tribunal.
The petitioner told the tribunal that the election was not in compliance to the Electoral Act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the exercise.
The judge said that the petitioner failed to proof the allegations of over voting as well as failed to proof beyond reasonable doubt over non-compliance to the electoral act during the election.
The judge awarded N200,000 each in favour of the first and second respondents, Balarabe Abdullahi and APC against the petitioner (Abdullahi Sa’ad).
Reacting to the judgment, the speaker dedicated his victory at the tribunal to God and his constituents.
Abdullahi called on his opponents and the opposition parties with their members to join him in building and developing Umaisha/Ugya for the benefit of all.
Abdullahi said that the victory was a confirmation of the people’s will that voted him on March 18.
“My call to my brother and his supporters is that they should join me to develop our constituency.
“Today, I feel happy and delighted over the tribunal victory. I want to appreciate Almighty Allah for this victory. This is a victory for democracy.
“This victory is also for all the people of Umaisha/Ugya constituency and we dedicate it to Almighty Allah.
“By God’s grace, I will continue to represent my people well and will bring speedy development to my constituency and the state at large,” he said.
Abdullahi also commended the panel of judges for delivering a well sounded and detailed judgment, saying that the judiciary has further demonstrated to be the last hope of the common man.
He appreciated his lawyers and that of APC for working tirelessly and presented their case convincingly.
He assured the people of his constituency of good representation at the state legislature.
“I will not fail the people of my constituency and the state at large as I will continue to support Gov. Abdullahi Sule to succeed,” he said.
The speaker called on the people of the constituency and the state at large to support the present administration to succeed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on March 18, INEC declared Abdullahi winner of Umaisha/Ugya state constituency in the polls.
The Retuning Officer, Mr Abdullahi Ramalan of Federal University, Lafia, said the incumbent member polled the highest number of votes cast and was returned elected.
He said Ibrahim Abdullahi of APC got 3,706, Ibrahim Sa’ad of PDP 2,850 votes, while Yahaya Sule of NNPP got 784 votes, among other candidates. (NAN)