Elections tribunal holds inaugural session in Lafia
The National and State Assemblies Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, yesterday held its inaugural session where it disclosed that seven petitions were received for entertainment during the proceedings expected to commence this week.
The tribunal is sitting at the Federal High Court as the state government is yet to sign an agreement with striking judicial workers.
Inaugurating members of the tribunal, its chairman, Justice Abdulkareem Aruwa, urged judicial officers to adhere to professional ethics, as anyone found wanting would be sanctioned.
He tasked litigants and parties involved to cooperate with the tribunal to avoid delays and to enable the tribunal dispatch all the petitions within the time frame.
Justice Aruwa assured that the tribunal would be just and fair to all parties, stressing that the it would speed proceedings, but rather not as it were, accede to undue technicalities and delays in handling its assignment.
Daily Trust reports that the elections of all three senators-elect in the state have been challenged at the tribunal, it was learnt yesterday.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing a petition by his contender at the April 11 election in Nasarawa-West, Aliyu Wadada of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who is challenging the cancellation of results in some polling units.
Senator Suleiman Adokwe (PDP, NasarawaSouth), who lost his bid for a third time, has also petitioned the tribunal over certain cancellations, and is asking the tribunal to declare him winner. He is challenging the victory of Salisu Egyegbola of the APC.
Two contestants in the Nasarawa-North election are challenging the winner of the vote, PDP’s Philip Gyunka, alleging that his victory is not as a result of lawfully cast votes. The petitioners are, APC’s Idris Yahuza, and Sam Alu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Daily Trust also learnt that the election of Rep. David Ombugadu of the PDP, for a second term in Akwanga/Nasarawa-Eggon/Wamba, is being challenged by APC’s Mrs Mary Enwogulo, just as Barrister Abdullahi Mohammed of the APC has also petitioned the tribunal, challenging the election of Nathanial Gaza of the PDP in Keffi/Kokona/Karu federal constituency.