APC declared winner of Niger senatorial by-election

The national assembly election petitions tribunal in Minna, Niger State, has upturned the result of the Niger East senatorial by-election conducted on August 30, 2014, declaring David Umaru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner.

Umaru had petitioned the tribunal seeking that the declaration of Shem Zagbayi of PDP as the winner of the election be null and void because the poll was characterised by malpractices.

In his ruling, Ibrahim Bako, who chaired the three-man tribunal which sat at the Niger state high court 7 on Friday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state to issue certificate of return Umaru.

“INEC is hereby directed to issue certificate of return to Umaru as Senator representing Niger East,” he ruled.

“An order is hereby granted nullifying the result of 100 polling units out of the polling units that were affected by non-compliance. An order is hereby issued nullifying the return of Zagbayi that he did not win the majority of the votes.

“An order is granted nullifying the return of Zagbayi on the ground that he did not win the majority of the lawful votes cast at the election held on August 30 and concluded on September 6, 2014.

“An order declaring the petitioner as the winner of the election held on the August 30, but concluded on September 6, 2014; having won the majority of lawful votes cast at the election, be and is hereby granted.

“An order directing INEC to issue a Certificate of Return Umaru forthwith as the duly elected senator for Niger East Senatorial District, is hereby granted.”

Chris Osuagwu, counsel to Umaru, told NAN that the victory was just the beginning of good things for the forthcoming general election.

Osuagwu enjoined APC supporters not to lose hope, adding that the victory recorded in the tribunal was an indication that people were ready for change.

Also Musa Suleiman, counsel to Zagbayi, said his client would abide by the judgment.

The seat became vacant following the death of the former occupant, Dahiru Awaisu, during an illness.