From Yakubu Busari, Jos
The Governorship Election Tribunal sitting at West of mines of Jos North Local Government Council of Plateau State has received four governorship petitions and granted leave to the petitioners to effect service on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ,the People Democratic Party ,(PDP) and the governor- elect, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang .
The petitioners include, Allied Peoples Movement ,APM, with petition EPT/PL/Gov/01/2023 challenging INEC & 2 ors; second is Dabwan Alfred Clark of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, against INEC &ors; thirdly ,Dr Nentawe Yilwatda of APC against INEC ,PDP & 2 ors lastly Solomon Bandy Chanden of the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, against INEC ,PDP and Mutfwang, respectively.
The four governorship candidates of APP, ADC,NNPP and ADC are challenging the outcome of the March 25th governorship election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Barr.Caleb Mutfwang as the winner.
However, at the sitting of the tribunal Monday presided over by Justices Hon. Justice. R. Irele- ifineh, Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi, Justice A.Y. Joh and the APC, through their counsel, Mr. Jim Gotom , pointed out that the Tribunal should grant leave to serve INEC and PDP along Yakubu Gowon way opposite NTA Jos and the Tribunal secretariat .
Meanwhile, Barr.S.G.Maren for the NNPP ,Mr B.E.Nduka of ADC and M.A Ibrahim of APM in their separate applications on behalf of the petitioners, sought an order for the plaintiffs to serve INEC ,PDP through substituted service.
While ruling on the applications,Justice R. Irele- ifineh,t tribunal Chairman, granted the application for substituted service, allowing the bailiff to paste copy of the document on the tribunal notice board for the 1st ,2nd & 3rd respondent’s attention.
