The former governor of Plateau State took oath of office on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.
The immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, was on Wednesday sworn in as the senator representing Plateau South district.
The former governor of Plateau State took oath of office on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.
The Presidency had confirmed that President Bola Tinubu officially accepted the resignation of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Lalong from his cabinet.
SaharaReporters reported on November 7, 2023, how a Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja affirmed the tribunal's decision that pronounced Lalong, as the legitimate winner of the Plateau South Senatorial seat.
The appellate court in a ruling read by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, held that the matter was both a pre-and post-election matter.
Justice Williams-Dawodu added that the tribunal’s decision was correct on the matter.
The Peoples Democratic Party candidate had been announced as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after scoring 148,844 votes to defeat Lalong who got 91,674 votes to finish second in the election.
But the tribunal, while deciding on a petition filed by Lalong, ruled that the PDP candidate did not have a valid right to participate in the election.
The panel ruled that his votes in the general elections on February 25, 2023, were void.
He approached the appeal court, asking the court to set aside the judgment.
The Appeal Court dismissed the petition affirmed the judgement of the Tribunal.
“It held that the PDP was wrong not to have obeyed subsisting orders asking that a new congress should be conducted in the state.
“Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution said all are expected to observe orders of the court. The order was in the realm. It is binding all persons. It is immutable and until it is set aside must be complied with.
“This issue is hereby resolved against the appellant. Invalidly nominated candidates cannot attract lawful votes. This appeal fails. The tribunal judgment is hereby affirmed,” Justice Williams-Dawodu said.
SaharaReporters also reported on November 23, that INEC had issued the Minister of Labour and Employment and Senator-elect for Plateau South Senatorial District, Simon Lalong his certificate of return.