BREAKING: Appeal Court Delivers Judgement on Election Dispute Involving Tinubu's Minister, Lalong

• The Court of Appeal has nullified the participation of the PDP and its senatorial candidate in the February 25 national assembly election, Napoleon Bali, for Plateau South Senatorial District, on the ground of refusal to carry out a lawful order of the court
• Delivering judgement, Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu declared as unlawful and wasted votes cast for PDP in the election
• The court declared a former Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, as the Senator for the Plateau South Senatorial District

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering politics in Nigeria

Jos, Plateau - The Appeal Court in Abuja has upheld the judgement of the tribunal which declared the minister of labour and employment, Simon Lalong, winner of the Plateau South Senatorial election.

The three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu gave the verdict on Tuesday, November 7, The Punch noted.

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Breaking: Appeal court delivers judgement on suit seeking sack of PDP's senator in Abia

PDP loses to Lalong at Appeal Court

It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Senator Napoleon Bali of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the poll.

The Tribunal had on September 11 declared Lalong as the Senator-elect representing Plateau South, while sacking Bali for 'emerging from a fraudulent primary electoral process'. Lalong is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Displeased with the tribunal's ruling, Bali approached the Appeal Court. But going by Tuesday's judgement, the PDP candidate is unsuccessful in his suit at the Appeal Court. Premium Times also reported on the court's verdict.

Justice Williams-Dawodu was quoted to have said:

“Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution said all are expected to observe orders of the court. The order was in the realm. It is binding all persons. It is immutable and until it is set aside and must be complied with.

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“This issue is hereby resolved against the appellant. Invalidly nominated candidates cannot attract lawful votes. This appeal fails. The tribunal judgment is hereby affirmed."

Tribunal declares Lalong winner

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the National and State Petition Election Tribunal sitting in Jos declared Lalong the Plateau South Senatorial Election winner.

The tribunal gave the judgement after sacking PDP's Senator Bali. The court nullified the election of Bali, who was declared the winner of the February 25 election by INEC.

Source: Legit.ng