PDP LOOSES ANOTHER SENATE SEAT AT THE APPEAL COURT

The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday suffered another electoral setback in Taraba State as the Court of Appeal sitting in Yola upheld a tribunal’s ruling, sacking Bashir Marafa as senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District.

On September 30, the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Taraba State, nullified the election of Mr. Marafa and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue Certificate of Return to All Progressives Congress candidate, Yusuf Abubakar.

Delivering the September 30 judgement, one of the members of the tribunal, Suleiman Yusuf, said the petitioners in case, the APC, and its candidate, had proved their case beyond reasonable doubt.

The tribunal had held the election of Mr. Marafa could not stand as he did not score the lawful majority votes in the March 28 election.

The tribunal therefore ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to return Mr. Abubakar as the candidate that scored the majority lawful votes during the polls.

Following the ruling, Mr. Marafa appealed the tribunal’s decision.

But in their separate judgements on Tuesday, the three judges, Jummai Sankey, Duobele Abraham and Ridwan Maiwada of the Court of Appeal, unanimously agreed the appeal lacked merit and was therefore dismissed.

Speaking after the judgement, the Taraba state chairman of APC, Hassan Ardo, expressed satisfaction and lauded the judiciary for living up to expectation.

Mr. Ardo said urged APC supporters in the state to continue to remain calm as the party reclaims its mandates.