Plateau governorship election: Useni rejects result, heads to tribunal

Following the declaration of Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State as governor-elect, the gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jeremiah Useni has condemned the result released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and directed his legal team to activate all the due processes to reclaim the mandate.

Governor Lalong was declared the winner of the gubernatorial election in the early hours of Sunday by the Returning Officer, Prof Richard Anande Kimbir, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.

Lalong, the All Progressives Congress candidate in the governorship election held on March 9, 2019, and the supplementary election held on March 23, 2019, defeated his major rival, Useni having polled the highest number of valid votes.

According to the Returning Officer, the APC candidate polled 595, 582 to defeat the PDP candidate who scored 546, 813.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, the gubernatorial candidate of PDP, Senator Useni who expressed his appreciation to the people of Plateau State for their massive support to him and the party as their preferred alternative for good governance in Plateau State assured that their massive support will not go in vain.

“My team and I have gone through both the official results released by INEC and the documents submitted by our field staff. We have every reason to believe that justice has not been done to our people in this election, because there was massive rigging and electoral shortcomings,” he said.

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He narrated that after due consultation, it was unanimously agreed that the result announced by INEC was not acceptable to the party adding that the party has requested its legal team to activate all the due processes to reclaim its cherish mandate.

“I give you may word that I will pursue this matter diligently and by the grace of God, we will overturn and recover the peoples mandate. The restoration agenda is for the soul of Plateau State, until its glory is restored,” Useni added.

He thanked all leaders, stakeholders, members and supporters of the PDP for their commitment, hardworking and sacrifice so far and appealed to them to unite more now and avoid any bickering and blame giving.

Senator Useni further enjoined them to remain focused on the struggle and avoid any act that could cause distraction and division adding that the present situation was just a temporary set back.