The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, is overjoyed by the recent judgement of the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Jos, Plateau State. The tribunal declared him the winner of the Plateau South senatorial district, overturning the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Napoleon Bali, due to an invalid nomination.
The chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Mahmoud Tukur, stated that the votes received by the PDP candidate during the February 25 election were wasted. This was because, at the time of the nomination, the PDP did not have a valid structure in the state.
Minister Lalong, who was the immediate past governor of the state, expressed his immense joy over the tribunal’s decision. In an official statement, he thanked the tribunal, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and his supporters for their dedication and support.
In his statement, Minister Lalong expressed his deep gratitude to God and the people of Plateau South Senatorial District for their unwavering support. He shared that he was in Abuja, presiding over an official function at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, when he received the news of the tribunal’s decision. The ruling nullifying his opponent’s earlier declaration and declaring him the rightful winner filled him with immense satisfaction.
Minister Lalong sees this victory as a triumph for democracy and justice. He sincerely appreciates the tribunal members for carefully examining their arguments and the presentations made by his party, the APC.
