The battle for who is to represent the indigenes of Taraba south, in the Senate, has been finally laid to rest as the supreme court affirms David Jimkuta, as the validly elected candidate of the all progressives congress, for Taraba south senatorial district.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-ekin, while delivering judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by Danjuma Shiddi, senatorial aspirant on grounds that it lacked merit.
The five-man panel of the apex court also upheld the decision of the Abuja division of the court of appeal which held that the primary election that produced Jimkuta, was conducted by the national working committee of the APC and was valid in accordance with the relevant laws.
Jimkuta had won the APC primary election for Taraba south but was substituted by the party with Danjuma Shiddi, who is a serving member in the house of representatives.
Dissatisfied with his substitution, Jimikuta approached the Abuja federal high court in an originating summons to seek redress.
With 170 votes against Shiddi’s 80 vote, Jimikuta prayed the court to declare him winner of the primary and stop the independent national electoral commission, Inec, from recognizing Shiddi, but however lost at the trial court.
The court of appeal Abuja division, however, declared him as the authentic candidate, and set aside the decision of the trial court.
Justice Barka of the appellate court held that the primary election that produced Jimkuta was conducted by the national working committee of the APC and is valid in accordance with the relevant laws.
The court held that only the NWC of the APC has the powers, the right, to conduct a valid primary election for the party. Shiddi appealed the appellate court’s decision at the supreme court, but the apex court held that his appeal lacked merit.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
