“… court faults Sa’ad, PDP, for failure to prove allegations, awards cost against Sa’ad to Balarabe…”

The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, has affirmed the victory of the Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who represent Umaisha/Ugya State constituency.

The three member panel led by Justice Francisca Isong Nnang on Saturday in Lafia affirmed the victory of the Speaker in a judgement that lasted for two hours thirty minutes.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Umaisha/Ugya, Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad and his party had challenged the Speaker’s victory at the tribunal

The petitioner told the tribunal that the election was not in compliance to the electoral act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the exercise.

The judge said that the petitioners failed to proof the allegations of over voting as well as failed to proof beyond reasonable doubt over non compliance to electoral act during the election.

The Judge awarded N200,000 each in favour of first and second respondents, Balarabe Abdullahi and APC against the petitioner Abdullahi Sa’ad.

Speaking in an interview, Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has dedicated his Saturday’s victory at the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to God and the people of his constituency.

Abdullahi called on his opponent and the opposition parties with their members to join him in building and developing Umaisha/ Ugya for the benefit of all.

The Speaker said that the victory was a confirmation of the people’s will that voted him on March 18th.

According to him, My call to my brother and his supporters is that they should join me to develop our constituency.

“Today, I feel happy and delighted over the tribunal victory. I want to appreciate Almighty Allah for this victory. This is a victory for democracy.

” This victory is also for all the people of Umaisha/Ugya constituency and we dedicate it to Almighty Allah.

” By God’s grace, I will continue to represent my people well and will bring speedy development to my constituency and the State at large,” he said.

Abdullahi also commended the panel of judges for delivering a well sounded and detailed judgement saying that the judiciary has further demonstrated to be the last hope of the common man

He appreciated his lawyers and that of APC for working tirelessly and presented their case convincingly.

He assured the people of his constituency of good representation at the state legislature.

” I will not fail the people of my constituency and the state at large as I will continue to support Gov. Abdullahi Sule to succeed,” he said

The Speaker called on the people of the constituency and the state at large to support Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.

It would be reported that Hon Mohammed Omadefu, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Danladi Jatau, Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Barr. Labaran Magaji, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Luka Iliya Zhekeba, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon Umar Tanko Tunga, the former Majority Leader of the House, Hon Mohammed Muluku, Former Chief Whip of the House, Hon Mohammed Alkali, former Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Hon Aliyu Dogara, former member, representing Wamba constituency,Hon. Musa Salihu Iyimoga former member representing Doma North, Hon Abdullahi Aliyu Tasha, Chairman, Toto LGA, politicians among other well wishers were in the court to show solidarity with the Speaker.

It would be recalled that on March 18th, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly , Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, winner of Umaisha-Ugya state constituency in the Saturday’s polls.

The Retuning Officer, Abdullahi Hudu Ramalan of Federal University Lafia, said the incumbent member polled the highest number of votes cast and was returned elected.

He said Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi of APC got 3,706, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad of PDP 2,850,and Yahaya Sule of NNPP got 784 among other candidates.