Supreme Court declares Jimkuta APC Taraba South senatorial flagbearer
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by Danjuma Shiddi, a House of Representatives member representing Taraba State's Wukari and Ibi Federal Constituency, seeking to be declared the All Progressives Congress flagbearer for Taraba South District.
In a decision issued on Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal as incompetent and without merit.
The court upheld an earlier Court of Appeal decision in Abuja that had upheld David Jimkuta's nomination as the APC's valid candidate in the Taraba South senatorial election on February 25.
Shiddi had petitioned the Supreme Court last month, asking for a reversal of the appellate court's decision and affirmation of the decision of a Federal High Court, which had upheld his nomination as an APC candidate in the election.
The judgement delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, as prepared by Justice Centus Nweze, stated that there was no need to tamper with the appellate court's decision, which overturned the high court's decision.
The five-member panel, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, later upheld the decision of the three-member appellate court panel that recognised Jimkuta's nomination.
In a recent decision, Justice Hamman Barka of the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled that because the primary election that produced Jimkuta was conducted by the APC's National Working Committee, his nomination was valid and in accordance with the relevant laws.
The court ruled that "only the APC's National Working Committee has the powers, rights, and vires to conduct a valid primary election for the party."
Jimkuta won the APC primary election for Taraba South but was wrongfully replaced by Danjuma Shiddi, the current member representing Wukari and Ibi Federal Constituency.
Dissatisfied, Jimkuta went to the Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, to seek redress after winning the party's primary election with 170 votes to Shiddi's 70.
He asked the court to declare him the primary winner and prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising Shiddi, who finished second, as the APC senatorial candidate for Taraba South.
In response to the ruling, Jimkuta stated, "It is a victory for democracy, the people of Taraba South, and the entire APC family," adding that the judiciary has once again proven to be the hope of the common man.
He urged his opponent to join forces with him in taking Taraba State to the next level.
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