PLATEAU STATE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RERUN ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL DISMISSED CERTIFICATE FORGERY ALLEGATION AGAINST SEN.PAM DACHUNGYANG MWADKWON

Plateau State National Assembly Rerun Election Petition Tribunal Dismissed Certificate Forgery Allegation Against Sen Pam Dachungyang Mwadkwon.

...We Are All Winners-Sen Pam Dachungyang Mwadkon. 

By Nanyah Daman, David Kazi, Justin Jattim, Michael Nangwang, Anastasia Jatbyen, Vanessa Timbyen and Nanpon Maigemu Bauchi. 

The National Assembly Rerun Election Petition Tribunal for Plateau Northern Senatorial District sitting in Bauchi on Wednesday 14th August, 2024 dismissed allegation of certificate forgery filed against Senator Pam Dachungyang Mwadkwon of Action Democratic Party (ADP).

A 3-man panel of Judges of the Tribunal, led by Hon. Justice Cordelia Ogadi upheld that there is no any substantial evidence before the tribunal that senator Mwadkwon forged First School Leaving Certificate and the West African School Certificate. 

 

Recall that the 1st respondent,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Pam Dachungyang Mwadkwon (2nd Respondent) as winner of the Plateau North Senatorial District rerun election conducted on 3rd February, 2024.

The petitioner and Candidate of New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP),Yakub Muhammad Shafiu who came second in the election, having been dissatisfied with the declaration of Senator Mwadkwon by INEC approached the Tribunal to seek for redress.

Be reminded that the crux of Shafiu's petition against Senator Mwadkwon was predicated on alleged certificate forgery and non qualification.

Shafiu accused Senator Mwadkwon of presenting fake certificate in INEC form EC9, and prayed the Tribunal nullify the 2nd respondent's election and declared him authentic winner of Plateau North Senatorial District Rerun election having come second.

The Tribunal in it's ruling held that the issue of certificate forgery at this point is a "status bar" because it is a matter that has to do with pre-election.

In the tribunal ruling,it was posited that"the matter should have been entertained by the Federal High Court within 14 days after party primaries. ADP aspirants who contested primaries alongside Senator Mwadkwon before 2023 general elections have a locus standi to challenge the outcome of the said primary election.

The Tribunal also averred that"However, the petitioner being a member of NNPP not ADP lacks jurisdiction to challenge 2nd respondent.

The Tribunal equally upheld that"The petitioners petition grossly incompetent and hereby dismissed for lacking in merit. The Tribunal therefore, affirmed election of Senator Pam Dachungyang Mwadkwon as winner of Plateau North Senatorial District Rerun Election conducted on 3rd February, 2024", the tribunal mentioned.

Speaking to newsmen after Tribunal verdict, Counsel to the petitioners, S.A. Salihu Esq said they are heading to Appeal Court.

S.Oyawole Esq, Counsel to INEC acknowledged the judgment as victory for democracy.

Meanwhile, Counsel to 2nd and 3rd respondents, Sunny Odey Esq called on the petitioners join hands with his clients for the betterment of Plateau North senatorial district, Plateau State and Nigeria.

Recalled senator Pam Dachungyang Mwadkwon won the election with 122, 442 votes.

Responding on his victory at the Tribunal, Senator Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang welcomed the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal in Bauchi which upheld his election as the duly elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 The Distinguished Senator noted that what happened today is a reaffirmation of the popular will of the people of Plateau North Senatorial District to serve them as their Senator.

Senator Dachungyang reiterated that he has never for one day lost sight of the huge responsibility that comes with the demands of the office, and says; right from Day-One, served as a spring-board to do his outmost best in ensuring that what rightfully belongs to the people of Plateau North does not slip bye.

According to the Senator, "I want to appreciate the tenacity of my fellow contestants who took the legal route to ventilate their grievances with the electoral process. Be rest assured that nobody lost today. If anybody won today, then we are all winners. I believe that this singular decision of the petitioners has greatly added to the quality of our electoral jurisprudence. It is in line with this that I invite all of you with open arms to join me, so that we can work together to deliver quality representation and democratic dividends to our people whom we all seek to serve".

The lawmaker also used the opportunity to also commend the judges for their tenacity, diligence and patience adding that their conduct is examplary in ensuring that justice prevails at the end of the day. That is the spirit of doing the right thing at the right time.

To the people of Plateau North Senatorial District, Senator Dachungyang noted that "I can only but assure you one thing, to serve you, our dear Plateau State and Nigeria is all I have come to do at the National Assembly adding that victory belongs to God Almighty whom we all serve."