Attai Audu, Jos
Coalition of Plateau Central Senatorial district Youths has rejected the judgement of Justice M Tukur on the petition brought before panel one of the Jos National/ state Assembly election petition tribunal by Amb. G.Y Gotom of peoples Democratic party against Senator Diket Plang of All Progressive Congress over results of Plateau Central Senatorial district election.
The Youths Coalition leader Mr Tea Gomos while addressing newsmen at his party state Secretariat in Jos at the weekend, accused Justice Tukur led panel who sat on Amb. GY Gotom petition of giving one sided judgement in favor of APC Senatorial candidate who contested the Plateau Central Senatorial election against PDP Senatorial candidate GY Gotom.
He recalled that the results of Plateau Central Senatorial election was not released in February this year at the time results of others were released by the the electoral body (INEC) due some unresolved issues .
He stressed that some of the issues raised by GY Gotom in his petition were among others, over voting, lack of usage of BVAS, results mutilation in some polling units especially In Gagdi ward of Kanam LGA.
According to him,this electoral fraud made the INEC returning officer Professor Daniel Dabi not to declare the winner of the Senatorial elections pending the resolution of the issues raised by the petitioner.
He however regretted that while they were waiting for the resolution of the disputed figures, another returning officer in the person of Dr Jimam Lar was smuggled into Pankshin LGC central collation centre amidst tight security to declare Senator Diket Plang Winner Of the disputed election.
He wondered why despite the over whelming evidence against the election of Senator Plang which we’re tendered by the petitioner GY Gotom through his counsel to the panelists, Justice Tukur panel still went a head to affirm the election of Senator Plang .
” This single act by Justice Tukur led panel is not only worrisome,but a threat to existing peace and Democracy where the collective will of the people of Plateau Central Senatorial district is cut short ” Gotom lamented.
He argued that one of the grounds that Justice Tukur panel used to arrive at their judgement which was on the issue of party structure had for long been decided upon by a Jos high court and Court of Appeal in Jos as it relates to the case of one Augustine Timkuk versus PDP during which the issue of PDP party structure and it’s leadership and compliance to court order was confirmed by the two courts.
He insisted that similar cases have been decided upon by the supreme court.
Gomos said cases of pre election matters should be left for the appellate court and supreme court to right the wrongs committed at the tribunal .
He added that it is often said that the courts is the last hope of a common man because it is believed that Justice would be served when approached ,but regretted that in the case at hand, justice is not served for the Petitioner but to the defendant who did not present even a single witness before the panel.
Gomos said the Youths of Plateau Central Senatorial district are not comfortable with Justice Tukur judgement because up till today, the results of the Plateau Central Senatorial district election is not yet declared by the lawfully appointed returning officer Professor Daniel Dabi as he rightly tendered before the tribunal court.
He called on the people and Youths of Plateau Central Senatorial district to remain calm and peaceful as GY Gotom team of lawyers heads to court of Appeal to seek justice for their client GY Gotom .
Oracle Reporters 