[Image: A disenchanted Labaran Maku]
The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Lafia headed by Justice Halima Shammaki on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 delivered judgment in the petition filed by Mr. Labaran Maku of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) against the election of Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Tribunal unanimously dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.
In a unanimous judgment, Justice Halima Muhammed ruled that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of over-voting and manipulations against reasonable doubts.
“Having considered the positions of the counsel to the petition and accounts of witnesses under cross-examination, the tribunal has dismissed the case of the petitioner, Maku of APGA, for want of merit and upheld the declaration of Al-Makura of APC as declared by INEC,” Justice Muhammed ruled.
Counsel to Maku, Joe Gadzama (SAN), who did not hide his dissatisfaction with the judgment, said his client would explore all judicial avenues to reclaim the mandate given to him by Nasarawa people.
Reacting to the judgment, the Special Assistant to Al-Makura on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur, said his principal was elated about the development and called for decorum in the state.
“This is a triumph of the people’s collective decision, and governor is grateful to Almighty God and the entire Nasarawa people.
“Al-Makura extends a hand of fellowship to the opposition in the task of carrying the state to enviable heights,” said Tukur.
Lafia, the state capital, witnessed great frenzy at the breakout of the news of the tribunal
Wild jubilation greeted major roads in the capital with a police helicopter hovering around the sky obviously to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.
—
© Copyright 2015 www.elombah.com
Send eyewitness accounts/reports/articles to publisher@elombah.com
Follow us on twitter handle @Elombah; Like our Facebook page: “Elombah.com”
