Tribunal declares Mark Useni as rightful winner of Taraba NASS election, dismissing petitions

The election petition tribunal in Taraba State’s capital, Jalingo, has affirmed the victory of Mark Useni, who represents the Takum/Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency. Useni, a former speaker of the state Assembly, faced petitions from the candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rimam Shawulu, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Istifanus Haruna Gbana.

The two petitioners had asked the tribunal to annul the election and call for a fresh exercise in the constituency. They also requested that Useni, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), be disqualified from representing the constituency, alleging that he did not receive the lawful number of votes to be declared the winner.

In its ruling, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Benson Ogbu, dismissed both petitions on the grounds that “the petitions failed to prove their case.” He further stated that during cross-examination, Useni’s legal representatives demonstrated that the APC candidate had won the election with valid votes, thus upholding the legality of his election.

Useni welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of the judiciary as the hope for the common man. He called on the petitioners to work together with him to uplift the constituency to greater heights.