The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja Wednesday affirmed the election victory of the member representing Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency in the National Assembly Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher.
The court further dismissed the appeal brought before it by Hon. Tsar Imbiorvungu of the ADC challenging Sesoo’s Victory.
In a unanimous judgment the three-member panel, held among others that the Appellant (Imbiovungu) was not duly nominated by his party to participate in the election for Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency held on February 25, 2023, and therefore lacked the locus standi to approach the court seeking cancellation of the said election.
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The appellate court affirmed the earlier judgement of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which held that the only official document before the court showed the appellant was nominated to contest the National Assembly elections into Buruku Federal Constituency, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to publish his name for the Buruku Federal Constituency did not infringe on his rights in any way.
The Court of Appeal stated that the rightful exclusion of the appellant did not in any way affect the outcome of the election to the office of Member representing Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, and hence declared Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher duly elected and returned.
Justice Muazu Lamido, who read the judgment, said: “The judgement of the tribunal delivered on September 8 is hereby affirmed.
Reacting to the judgement, Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher hailed the outcome as victory for democracy and the rule of law, and pledged his continued commitment to wholeheartedly serve the good people of Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency.
In his words, “with this distraction out of the way, it is now time to settle properly into the task of serving my people and demonstrating total commitment to the course of the advancement of our Constituency”
