Former Controller General, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nde David Shikfu Parradang and his party the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, has approached the Appeal Court to challenge judgement of the Legislative Elections Petitions Tribunal for Plateau Central Senatorial Zone Seat which was delivered on 10th of September, 2019.
In a statement by the Former Immigration Boss’ Campaign Organization as signed by him (David Shikfu Parradang), which shaded light on the development, Parradang revealed to the electorates of his constituency, Supporters and the general public that, he has filed a suit at the Appeal Court challenging the decision of the Three-man Tribunal which had on the 10th September, 2019, dismissed his Petition against Hezekiah Dimka of the APC and subsequently upheld Elections of the 2nd respondent (Dimka) for the Senatorial Seat as declared by the 1st respondent (INEC) during the February 23rd, 2019 General Elections.
Giving an analytical rundown of votes scored by parties in the elections to proof that, the three-man tribunal erred in law while deciding on the matter, Parradang through the Campaign Organization reminded electorates how well over 200,000 voters in the Plateau Central Senatorial Zone went to the polls on 23rd February 2019.
Parradang said, “During collation of results, we won roundly in Bokkos, Mangu, Pankshin and Kanke, LGA polling the majority of votes in the four out of five Local government areas that constitutes the senatorial district”
Parradang’s major claims at the Tribunal is that, the election was marred by irregularities in Kanam Local Government area, and that he (Parradang) of the PDP scored more votes than his opponent (Dimka ,APC) did not score the required votes to make him a winner in the elections as announced by the 1st respondent (INEC)
“You may also recall that the results from Kanam LGA were delayed for over 60 hours raising the suspicion of voter fraud to diminish and surpass our 19,000 vote lead over the APC candidate. At last, on the arrival of the Kanam LGA results, they announced an APC lead of 23,000 votes in one LGA” Parradang stressed.
Assuring party faithfuls and Supporters of his resolute stand to restorations of their mandate, Parradang further reiterated his decision, to challenge in Court, what he termed as, “daylight robbery of the mandate freely given to him and his party” by the majority of the electorates in the Zone.
Parradang Statement explained how unfair the Tribunal Judgement was despite glaring facts in testimonies from witnesses of parties involved in the matter that supported the petitioner’s case as called, documentary evidence
tendered, all of which were vigorously, logically and eloquently argued by his
lawyers.
Parradang through the Organization expressed dismay at the manner the tribunal panel of three judges discountenanced all these and dismissed their petitions without any consideration of justifiable reasons.
Although Parradang’s Statement appreciated the panel for the manner in which they handled the hearing of the petition, but also quickly described their decision to dismiss his petition in its entirety, as “bizarre with no correlation at all to the trial proceedings and flow of the trial”.
He maintained, “Though experienced
and learned, we believe that the best of men, even the best of judges is just a man
and not all knowledgeable as God. The decision of these three persons against the decision of the majority of voters in
the senatorial district is at best whimsical.
To rely on technicalities to deny our
people of self-chosen proper representation cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
We are firmly of the opinion that this decision is not correct, and we have challenged it and we know victory is certain”
“We are aware that federal might was deployed to the collation centre at Pankshin
comprising about 300 mobile policemen and soldiers to secure the Returning Officer
to announce the candidate of the powers that be as elected and not the people of our zone.
Shall we allow the rule of force to go unchallenged? Shall we just give up on the
precious mandate of our people?
What will our children say to all these, that we gave in at their threats and force?
We say no! We have challenged this, and we will not succumb to fear.
The Plateau spirit is fearless especially in the face of injustice. Injustice to one is injustice to all.”
“Let me assure our party faithfuls and all those who have been calling and praying for
our mandate to be restored that we cannot thank you enough and that this will end
in victory” He emphasized.
“ Each time I close my eyes in meditation I recall the faces of our people from Bokkos to Kanam, Mangu to Kanke and Pankshin including some parts of Kanam who are eager for good representation and assure them that I will not carelessly throw away the baton of
the mandate they cheerfully gave me”
He emphasized with his constituents and reasured them of his commitment to fight the political injustice using legal means.
The PDP’s Candidate concluded his Statement with saing, “ I end this by paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt who in a speech made in 1910
said “Though our face is marred by dust, sweat and blood, we shall continue to strive valiantly, though we err and come short again and again, we know that there
is no effort without error and shortcoming, because we have great enthusiasm and a great devotion to the service of our people”.
“We know it is a worthy cause to
represent the people of Plateau Central. We will not give up our place. Our place shall never be with any cold and timid souls who will not know victory and we are certain that we will savour triumph and high achievement reserved for the
courageous and valiant”.
He blessed God and said, “I am happy and fulfilled when I serve my people”.
Sawabiya recalled, just like in the case of Useni -VS- Lalong where the Tribunal unfortunately ruled without giving any due consideration to the supreme Court Judgement on validity and qualifications of Petitioner’s witnesses which were 21 in number.
So, it was observed during the process of ruling on this matter between Parradang and Dimka ,where the Presiding Judge similarly delivered the judgement to the surprised of counsels listening to the tribunal verdict, relying on appeal Court judgement and not that of supreme Court ruling on that note, to expung the testimonies of most of the Petitioner’s witnesses on its records and upheld the preliminary objection of the respondents on that matter, there by declaring Hezekiah Dimka as duly elected Senator to represent the good people of Plateau Central Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly
.
MiddleBelt Reporters 