By: Valentine Adese (JP),
The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital has today Saturday, the 15th of July, 2023, been informed that, the scores attributed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sen. Napoleon Bali in the just concluded general election for Plateau South Senatorial District on the 25th February, 2023, are Unlawful.
The Petitioners’ witnesses, Lamis Mohammad, who came all the way from Kwalla in Qua’anpan Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State and Wumanna Bako a Star Witness, who came to give evidence in Petition No; EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging the victory of Sen. Napoleon Bali and the conduct of the senatorial election for Plateau Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State by INEC, also told the Tribunal that, the alleged Repeated State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not have held, owing to a Court Injunction served on the Electoral Committee as made public.
They also told the Tribunal that, PDP has no structure in the state, as most of the Local Government Areas have no leadership or EXCOs as they speak on the ground that, no Ward or LG congresses were held.
For Lamis, who showed the Tribunal his membership card of the PDP, further told the Tribunal under cross-examination that, he is a full financial member and a strong stakeholder of the PDP, as well as, a former Deputy Chairman of the Party in his Ward.
Both witnesses told the Tribunal that, they are surprised that, the PDP, which has no structure, leadership or EXCO at all levels in the state, though a registered political party is alleged to have sponsored candidates, as well as, Sen. Napoleon in the 2023 general elections.
Lamis in party, under cross examination from the Counsels of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents to the Petition said, “The election result announced by INEC does not follow the Law. I was very surprised the name of Napoleon and the PDP were in the general elections. Napoleon stood for the election no platform, as the PDP has no structure in the state. I am telling the Tribunal that Napoleon stood for election in a party that has no leadership. I am therefore surprised that, INEC published his name before the general elections.
“INEC actually published the name of Napoleon, but not according to Law or the legally accepted processes.
“What I am also saying is that the PDP exist at the national level but not in Plateau State because of lack of leadership.
“I am not of the knowledge that it is the national officers that have the responsibility to forward Napoleon’s name to INEC. However, for somebody to be a candidate, he must have been elected or nominated from the Wards, LG, Zonal and state levels.
“I was not at the alleged Repeated State Congress, because the party did not announce any date for it and as a strong stakeholder of the party, I would have known from all my sources. I attend zonal, national and other conventions and why would I not know of that congress at home?
“I will spend any amount to get to such venue. I love the PDP.
“The last payment of my dues was in 2021 from what my card shows. This membership card was sold to us at the Ward level and I bought over 50 and distributed same. Secondly, I even paid my dues immediate there in 2018”.
In his evidence during Examination-in-Chief, led by the Petitioners’ Counsel, S. S. Obende (Esq), Lamis told the Tribunal that he already has a nomination form to contest for the position of Treasurer in his Local Government (LG) and that he is still waiting for when the Congress would be conducted.
“I also have the receipt with me here. The originals of these documents have been returned to the party after collecting signatures of members from 11 Wards”. He added.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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