Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, has commended the judiciary for its impartiality leading to his victory at the Supreme Court on Monday, and urged the people to pray for peace and stability in order to shore up development in the state.

Lalong, in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos, dedicated the victory to God and the people of the state.

“I again dedicate this victory to God and the people of Plateau, irrespective of their political, social, religious or ethnic affiliations. The highest court in the land has stamped the mandate I was given and this means that our administration is now clear of litigation distractions.

“The time now is for governance and actualisation of our next level agenda encapsulated in our 3 point vision of peace, security and good governance; Infrastructure development and sustainable economic rebirth,” he said.

He appealed to the opposition to join hands with him in developing the state and actualising projects and programmes that would entrench lasting legacies for the people.

The Governor said he was confident of his victory at court because he engaged all stakeholders in his campaign and delivered his campaign promises during his first tenure.

Newsmen report that the People’s Democratic Party candidate in the March 2019 governorship elections in Plateau, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, had challenged the election of Lalong as duly elected governor of the state on grounds that he did not win majority of the votes cast at the poll.

Useni also alleged substantial non compliance with the electoral laws and other irregularities as grounds for nullification of the return of Lalong.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petitioner failed to prove his allegations.

The court in an unanimous judgment held that the appellant, Useni, failed to prove allegations made against the victory of Lalong at the March 9 governorship election.

The apex court in the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Paul Galinje accordingly affirmed the election of Lalong as duly elected governor of Plateau.

The apex court upheld the decisions of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal which affirmed Lalong as duly elected governor of Plateau.

 

 

NAN