Tribunal Affirms Agbu Kefas As Elected Taraba Governor

The Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal has affirmed the election of Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly elected governor of Taraba State.

The Justice GA Sunmonu-led three-man panel sitting in Jalingo dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Prof. Sani Yahaya, challenging the election of Kefas on two grounds for lack of merit.

Counsel to Governor Kefas, Sam Adda, while speaking to reporters on the judgement, said the petitioners could not prove the allegations they made and that those allegations did not exist.

“The petition was anchored on two grounds. The first ground was that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance to the Electoral Act. The second ground was that the governor did not win the election by a majority of valid votes.

“All the 128 witnesses did not prove any of the allegations against the return of the governor. We are happy that the allegations were not proven,” Adda stated.

Also, counsel to INEC, Emeka Okoro, further corroborated Adda’s statement while speaking with newsmen.

He said, “The documents relied upon by the petitioners is what is called in Law documentary hearsay, and that is exactly what the tribunal held.

“Documents were tendered without makers of the documents being called as witnesses. Because a document does not speak for itself. If there is any issue with the document, you call as witnesses those who met the documents and people in whose presence the documents were made.

“So that if there are questions concerning figures that you are questioning, the circumstances upon which the documents were made, or inconsistencies, you ask the people who actually know what happened so that they can assist the court in resolving the issue. The petitioners failed to do that.”

Kefas Hails Tribunal Ruling

Kefas described his victory at the Tribunal as a triumph of the people’s will. He enjoined all citizens to accept the will of the majority and the work of God.

In a statement on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, the governor said his victory belonged exclusively to the Taraba people and all lovers of democracy.

He also congratulated the Judiciary for standing true to their calling and upholding what is right and just.

Also reacting to the judgement, Taraba Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, who was present at the sitting, called on the petitioners and citizens of Taraba to join hands with the government in moving the state forward.

“I invite the NNPP to accept our hand of friendship. Now as it is, the government is not for any party,” he stated.