PDP Lawmaker Sacked, Barred From Elections

Vincent Bulus

Vanguard reports that the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election for the constituency within 90 days.

Bulus had won the Langtang South constituency seat in the April 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections, but his victory was challenged by his opponent, Jackson Danladi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Danladi alleged that the PDP lawmaker was not fit to vie for the election on the grounds that he was an ex-convict.

Giving her judgment, Justice Akeredolu, the chairman of the tribunal said: “The respondent, having been convicted of an offence involving fraud and dishonesty by a court of law, was not qualified to contest the election into the Plateau state House of Assembly to represent Langtang South constituency.

“Therefore, the election and return of the first respondent as member of Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South is a nullified.”

She ordered a fresh election to be conducted in the constituency.

Mrs Amina Zakari, the acting chairman of INEC recently admitted that the electoral act used in conducting the 2015 general elections had major lapses. She called for a review of the act, saying that a review will address the shortcomings and improve the commission’s work.

There are still petitions pending across the country as some who lost in the 2015 elections have been challenging the victory of their opponents.