Appeal Court’s Judgement: People of Benue South have won again – Senator Abba Moro

The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, has reacted to the judgement of the Appeal Court, which on Tuesday, upheld the verdict of the Tribunal, which in September validated his February 23, 2019 election into the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

Recall that Senator Moro had polled 85,162, votes to defeat Lawani, who garnered 47,972 votes during the last election.

Steve Lawani, candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the last senatorial election, had approached the Appellant Court after the Tribunal threw out his case for lack of merit and substance.

Delivering judgement on Lawani’s appeal on Tuesday, the Appeal Court led by Hon. Justice Jumai Sankey, upheld the decision of the lower court, thus, marking the end of the road for Lawani and the APC.

Justice Sankey dismissed Lawani’s appeal as his claim of manipulation and rigging during the election could not be proved.

The Appeal Court also awarded a punitive cost of N200,000 against Chief Lawani.

Reacting to the Judgement, Comrade Moro said the Appeal Court’s judgement has once again confirmed that his election into the Red Chamber of the National Assembly was a collective decision of the good people of Benue South.

In a statement issued from his media office on Tuesday shortly after the court’s verdict, Senator Moro saluted the good people of Benue South, who stood by him during the legal battle.

He also thanked leadership of the party (Peoples Democratic Party), his legal team, media as well as his well wishers.

Senator Moro said the Appeal Court’s ruling has no doubt revalidated the mandate freely given to him by the entire Benue South Senatorial District.

He said, “No doubt, democracy and the people have won again as the legal tape has been exhausted.

“This judgement by the Appeal Court has further confirmed that power truly belongs to God and no one can outsmart God, who made heaven his dwelling place and the earth his footstool.

“The verdict has finally laid to rest the claim and hearsay in the camp of the opposition that the last election was manipulated.

“The victories at both the Tribunal and Appeal Court revalidated the mandate given to me by the people of Benue South and a true reflection of the wish of the people.

“The road is now clear of side distractions and I am further focused in delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Benue South, whose interest I represent at the Upper Legislative Chamber.

“To the good people of Benue South, who stood gallantly before, during and after the election to send me here on their behalf, I remain grateful..

“Once again, I extend my hands of fellowship, friendship and brotherhood to those who were dissatisfied over the outcome of the election to come join hands with me so we can better the lives of our people, because the voice of the people is the voice of God (vox Populi, Vox Dei).

“I commend the Justice at the Appeal Court and Election Tribunal for their fair, unbiased and honest judgments, I urge them to continue to be truly independent as the Judiciary remains the last resort of the common man.”

Ameh Comrade Godwin
Special Assistant (P&E) Media.
29/10/2019.