Niger East by-election: PDP vows to appeal judgment

After studying the verdict of the election tribunal in favour of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Barrister David Umaru, in last year’s Niger East Senatorial District bye-election, the Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to appeal the judgment.

The party has called on its members to remain calm and committed to winning the forthcoming general election, adding that APC loyalists should not rejoice yet.

The PDP said the ruling was not a true reflection of what transpired at the polls.

It would be recalled that Dr. Nuhu Zagbayi of the PDP was announced winner of the Niger State Zone B senatorial by-election, which was conducted in August last year to fill the vacuum left by late Senator Dahiru Aweisu Kuta.

In a statement signed by its state Public Relations Officer, Hassan Saba, the PDP said it will soon file an appeal.

Saba however maintained that the judgment has nothing to do with the fortunes of the party at the next polls.

He said the PDP still remains the party to beat, adding that the appeal on the tribunal ruling will soon affirm victory of the ruling party in the senatorial election.

He said it was Zagbayi who actually won.

Saba added that the party however enjoys established goodwill with the electorates, which he said is sustained overtime through provision of dividends of democracy, adding that it is enough to guarantee victory at all level of contest.

The statement said: “Let me call on our teaming supporters to remain calm. We are going to appeal judgment of the tribunal. The judgment has further motivated us to work harder to harness established electoral fortunes of the PDP. We are not deterred, we have been victorious and we will always remain committed to sustain our victories in the state since 1999.

“I call on our party faithful’s to ensure they have voters card before the next general election. They must use their voters cards to rubbish the verdict by electing PDP candidates across all elective positions especially the zone B senatorial candidate.”