Political parties reject judgement on Plateau reps, senate elections

Political parties under the aegis of the Conference of Allied Political Parties (CAPP) have criticised the Appeal Court judgement in the Plateau National Assembly elections, describing it as a rape of democracy.

In a statement signed by Amos Sani, its director of publicity, the group described what happened in Plateau as insensitive and a gross abuse of the judicial process.

“The decision to declare the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, winner of the Plateau South Senatorial election is a travesty of justice. For the Appeal court to declare Simon Lalong winner because the PDP didn’t have a structure is a rape of democracy.”

“On what basis would the APC canvass that the PDP as a party didn’t have a structure? What is the business of the APC with the structure of another party? It indicates a kangaroo judgment.”

He further stated that the actions of the Appeal Court tend to set a dangerous precedence in the country.

“This is a clear case of rape of our democracy, and any well-meaning Nigerian must reject it in its ramification. There is no sense in it. It read like a prepared speech.”

“It is worrisome that the justices of the Appeal Court would elect to throw caution in the wind.”

The Appeal Court in Abuja recently upheld the tribunal’s judgment, which declared Lalong winner of the Plateau South Senatorial election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party winner with 148,844 votes, while Lalong scored 91 674 to come second in the February 25 elections.

But the tribunal nullified Bali’s election on the grounds that the PDP did not have a proper party structure and, therefore, could not file candidates for the elections.

In a unanimous judgment read by Justice Muhammad Tukur, the tribunal said the PDP, having no structure, lacked the right to take part in the election.