Melaye: Court Judgement Revealed PDP’s Manipulation – Yahaya Bello

• Says Court judgment is a reclamation of a stolen mandate.
• Lauds the judiciary for distinguishing itself as an unbiased, independent and impartial institution.

Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello has commended the judgement of the Court Of Appeal which upheld the earlier judgement of the Kogi State National Assembly Election Tribunal nullifying the election of the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial election, Dino Melaye.

Recall that the election of Melaye was contested at the tribunal by Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor who stated that it further vindicates his earlier position that the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) manipulated the elections.

READ: INEC: Kogi West Reelection May Holds November 16

Governor Bello commended the judiciary in a statement entitled ”Kogi West Appeal Court Verdict: Attestation that Judiciary is Impartial” released from his media office and felicitated with Adeyemi on his victory at the courts.

Meanwhile, Adeyemi who is Bello’s Director-General for the upcoming governorship poll may have to resign from the post as the election might be held the same day.

According to the constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must within 90 days organise reelection into the now vacant seat.

While lauding the judiciary for again distinguishing itself as an unbiased, independent and impartial institution, the governor said the judgment of the Tribunal which nullified the Kogi West Senatorial Election on the 23rd of September and the Court of Appeal’s verdict delivered some hours ago upholding the said tribunal judgement clearly attests that the judiciary was solidly on course and working in line with the aspiration of people.

In spite of the intimidation, unnecessary accusations and rumor-mongering, Bello said the tribunal and the Court Of Appeal have lived up to their expectations by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

”For upholding the petition by Senator Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ordering that a fresh election be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the constituency, the tribunal, led by Justice A.O. Chijioke and the Appeal Court have jointly proved to the world that the people’s mandate was stolen in the last Kogi West Senatorial Election.

“The courts did not decide in a vacuum but acted on the basis of the merits and demerits of the case before them.

“The Appeal Court and the entire Judiciary, therefore, deserves our commendation for further strengthening the democratic and electioneering processes in Nigeria,” Bello said.

READ: I Will Beat You Arms Down in The Fresh Poll, Adeyemi Tells Melaye

While describing the judgement as reclamation of a stolen mandate, Bello congratulated the people of Kogi West Senatorial District and said he was confident the people will turn out en mass to elect Adeyemi in the re-run election which date shall be announced by INEC in due course.