In a surprising turn of events, Napoleon Bali, the senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, has been stripped of his seat after losing to Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a recent election.
The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, which convened in Jos, Plateau State, made the declaration after deeming the votes received by the PDP candidate as “wasted.”
Lalong is currently Minister of Labour and Employment contested for the seat during the 2023 election where the PDO candidate was declared winner.
According to Justice Mahmoud Tukur, the chairman of the three-member panel, Bali’s nomination was invalid due to the absence of a valid PDP structure in the state at the time of his nomination.
However, the tribunal dismissed allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with electoral laws, citing a lack of evidence to support the claims.
In another electoral upset, the PDP also lost the Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency seat to the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dalyop Chollom.
The tribunal ruled that Peter Gyenden of the PDP was not validly nominated, as the party lacked a valid structure in the state during the nomination period.
These election outcomes signal significant political shifts in Plateau South Senatorial District and the Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, leaving supporters of both parties reeling from the tribunal’s decisions.
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