The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has reacted to the judgement of the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Jos, Plateau State on Monday, which declared him winner of the Plateau South senatorial district.
Premium Politics had reported that the tribunal upturned the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Napoleon Bali, over invalid nomination.
Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Mahmoud Tukur who declared the judgement, stated that the votes scored by the PDP candidate, in the February 25 election were wasted, stating that as of the time of the nomination, the PDP had no valid structure in the state.
Reacting to this development, the immediate past governor of the state, in a statement issued via his X handle, said he couldn’t contain his joy.
The Minister extended his appreciation to the tribunal, the All Progressives Congress and his supporters for their dedications.
He wrote, “I can’t contain my joy after the recent victory at the Senatorial Election Petition tribunal here in Jos.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to God and the incredible people of Plateau South Senatorial District for their unwavering support. It is a Monday I’ll never forget.
“I was in Abuja, presiding over an official function at the Ministry of Labour and Employment when I received the news of the tribunal’s decision.
“The ruling nullifying my opponent’s earlier declaration and declaring me the rightful winner filled me with immense satisfaction.
“To me, this victory signifies a triumph for democracy and justice. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the tribunal members for their meticulous examination of our arguments and the presentations made by my party, the APC.
“Their dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency has not gone unnoticed.
“I must also commend my loyal supporters and the dedicated members of the APC in Plateau State. Throughout this process, they remained steadfast and displayed remarkable calmness while awaiting the tribunal’s verdict.
“Their unwavering support has been a source of strength for me. As we celebrate this victory, I urge everyone to maintain peace and unity. Even if my opponent decides to exercise his constitutionally guaranteed right to appeal the judgement, let us continue to uphold the values of democracy and respect for the rule of law.”