TheCable

The national and state election petitions tribunal sitting in Jos has declared Simon Lalong, the minister of labour and employment, as the winner of the Plateau south district.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Napoleon Bali, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the election.

The commission had announced that Bali secured 148,844 votes while Lalong scored 91, 674 to come runner-up in the February 25 election.

But on Monday, the court sacked Bali and ruled that Lalong was the winner of the election.

Reacting to the development, the minister appreciated the members of the tribunal for their meticulous examination of the case, noting that the victory signifies a triumph for democracy and justice. 

“The ruling nullifying my opponent’s earlier declaration and declaring me the rightful winner filled me with immense satisfaction,” he said.

“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.”

Lalong was appointed as minister by President Bola Tinubu after his two-term tenure as the governor of Plateau.