Taraba: Appeal Court reinstates PDP’s Akila as member of state Assembly

The Appeal Court sitting in the FCT had on Thursday, November 9, upheld the appeal by the member representing Lau State Constituency at the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Nuhu Akila against Emmanuel George of the APC.

The Taraba Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo, had in September upturned the victory of Nuhu Akila of the PDP and gave the victory to Emmanuel George of the APC.

The tribunal had given the victory to APC’s George based on the recounted ballot papers in the March 18 elections which showed that George had the highest votes.

But the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Uche Onyemenam, held that the “evidence of recounted ballot papers in Lau State constituency was inadmissible.”

He also held that all evidence tendered by the petitioners were incompetent and that the testimonies of PW 1 and 2 were unlawful while that of PW 3 was hearsay evidence.

An elated Nuhu Akila who was surrounded by his supporters and kinsmen declined to comment on his victory.

But a legal practitioner/politician, MP Yerima described the victory as coming from God. He called on Emmanuel George to join hands with the winner.

He also commended Gov. Agbu Kefas for his efforts in ensuring the victory of the party

Yerima said: “I call on Emma George to come let’s join hands. He should accept the will of God. He has tried a lot.”

Also, a former Special Adviser on Revenue Matters, Absolom Solomon said: “This victory is for everybody, Lau constituency and Tarabans. We need to join hands together.”