Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal Upholds Governor Kefas' Victory

Jalingo, Taraba State - In a significant development, the Taraba State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Jalingo, upheld the election victory of Governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday.

The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Prof. Sani Yahaya, and his party had petitioned the Tribunal challenging the electoral victory of Governor Kefas and the PDP. However, Justice Sumonu, while reading the judgment, highlighted that during the cross-examination, counsel to Prof. Yahaya failed to provide detailed evidence for most of the allegations made against both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Kefas.

Justice Sumonu stated, "The petitioners have failed to prove to this honorable Tribunal in detail how the election was rigged and why the governorship candidate of the NNPP should be declared the winner in the 18th March 2023 governorship election. Since the petitioner failed to prove the ground of over-voting, the petition is hereby struck out on the grounds of lack of merit."

Governor Kefas, speaking through his Special Adviser of Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, urged all citizens of the state and beyond to accept the will of the majority Tarabians, describing it as the work of God. He said, "This victory belongs exclusively to the Taraba people and all lovers of democracy. I commend the Judiciary for standing true to their calling and upholding what is right and just."

The Tribunal's decision affirms Governor Kefas' mandate and signals the conclusion of a legal battle that had gripped the state since the governorship election earlier this year.