News

Tribunal affirms election of Rt. Hon. Fom Gwottson

By jonnie david | 27th September 2023

The Plateau State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the victory of Plateau’s Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Fom Gwottson, as the lawmaker representing Jos South Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The Justice Williams Olamide-led panel dismissed the petition filed by APC’s candidate, Isaac Gyang, saying that it lacked merit and that the petitioners should do more than throw mud.

Gyang had approached the tribunal seeking to disqualify Gwottson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and declare him winner of the election on the grounds that the PDP lacked structure to nominate Gwottson as a candidate to run for office

Having examined the evidence brought before it, the tribunal also ruled that the PDP indeed held its state congress on September 25th, 2021.

Reacting to his victory, Gwottson reiterated his commitment to empowering more young people, as he is known for, and promised to remain a firm voice for the masses. He boldly declared that his constituents should expect more strides from him.

In his reaction to the judgment, Lead Council to the first and second respondents, Barr. D. P. Dusu said, “The judgement of the tribunal is in tandem with authority galore from the Supreme Court on the issue of nomination and sponsorship of candidates. The tribunal held that only members of a political party who participated in the election can challenge its outcome in court within a period of 14 days.”

He also added that the petitioners failed woefully to tender the relevant documents required to prove whether there was over-voting or not.

Also present to witness the judgement were some members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Some PDP stalwarts and supporters of Hon. Gwottson, who were in high spirits.