The Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo
on Wednesday nullified the election of the
Speaker of the Taraba state House of Assembly,
Abel Diah, of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The tribunal ordered the Independent National
Electoral Commission to set aside a certificate of
Return earlier issued to the speaker.
The Independent National Electoral Commission
INEC in Taraba state had earlier declared Mr.
Diah, the winner of the April eleven elections for
Mbamga Constituency in the state House of
Assembly.
Following the pronouncement, the All
Progressives Congress Candidate in the
constituency, Emmanuel Bongo, went to the
elections tribunal challenging the victory of the
Speaker.
The petitioner argued that elections conducted in
nine polling units in Mbamga constituency were
marred by enormous irregularities.
Delivering its judgment, the National and Houses
of Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal ruled
that elections in eight out of the nine polling
units, challenged by the petitioner, were
conducted against the provision of the 2010
Electoral Act.
According to the tribunal, polls conducted in the
eight polling units were null and void.
The tribunal declared the elections inconclusive
and ordered INEC to conduct fresh polls within
90 days beginning from Wednesday in the eight
affected polling units.
The judges ordered the electoral umpire to set
aside the certificate of return earlier issued to
the Speaker.
With the judgment, the APC candidate,
Emmanuel Bongo, leads with 1,440 votes.
Speaking to Journalist after the ruling, the APC
Chairman in the state, Hassan Ardo, thanked the
tribunal saying the judgment was based on facts.
On the other hand, the counsel to the speaker
declined comment.