Taraba State Governor’s Victory Upheld by Tribunal
Jalingo, Taraba State –
In a decisive ruling, the Taraba State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has confirmed the victory of Dr. Agbu Kefas, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the duly elected Governor of Taraba State.
The tribunal’s verdict was delivered following a legal challenge initiated by Professor Sani Yahaya, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The three-member tribunal panel, presided over by Justice GA Sumonu, dismissed the petition, citing a lack of merit in Professor Yahaya’s claims. Justice Sumonu, while reading the judgement, highlighted that the petitioner failed to provide substantial evidence to support allegations against both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Kefas.
Professor Yahaya’s petition centered on allegations of massive election rigging, over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act by INEC, and the alleged diversion of votes from NNPP to PDP during the gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023. He sought the nullification of Governor Kefas’ victory and his own declaration as the lawful winner.
Justice Sumonu, however, concluded that the petitioner had not convincingly demonstrated how the election was rigged or why Professor Yahaya should be declared the winner. Consequently, the tribunal chairman ruled, “the petition is hereby struck out on lack of merit.”
Following the verdict, Professor Sani Yahaya’s legal counsel declined to comment. Meanwhile, the Taraba State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, celebrated the decision as a triumph of the people’s will. In a statement to the press, he called upon all Taraba citizens, regardless of their political affiliations, to embrace the majority’s choice and contribute their ideas to the government, enabling Governor Kefas to fulfill his mandate effectively.
Deputy Governor Alkali praised the judiciary for upholding justice and affirmed that the ruling confirmed Governor Kefas’ legitimacy as the chosen leader of the state. He urged the petitioner to collaborate with the administration for the betterment of Taraba.
Both Barrister Sam Ada, counsel to the second respondent, Agbu Kefas, and Emeka Okoro, representing INEC, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. They asserted that the evidence presented by the petitioner lacked the substance required to challenge the legitimacy of their clients’ victory in the case.