The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi, sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Rep. David Idris Zacharias, representing Idah Federal Constituency.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice A.O Chijioke, dismissed the petition filed by the petitioner, Mr Emmanuel Egwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for lack of merit.
Delivering judgment, Chijioke said that the petitioner failed to discharge the burden of prove placed on him.
Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Ibrahim Isiaka, had earlier told the tribunal that Zacharias lacked the necessary qualification to contest in the election.
He accused Zacharias of certificate forgery, false declaration under oath and that the election was marred with violence, snatching of ballot boxes, multiple voting, non-use of voter card readers and unlawful vote allocation.
Reacting to the judgment, Isiaka said that though they are bound by the judgment, they will study it and take further legal actions.
The counsel said he would discuss with the petitioner with a view to appeal the judgment.
Zacharias (APC-Kogi), who was excited at the judgement, called on Mr Emmanuel Egwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join him to bring dividends of democracy to people of Idah Federal Constituency of Kogi.
Zacharias made the call while reacting to the judgment of the Tribunal which upheld his election on Thursday in Abuja said the people has spoken with a loud voice during the election.
He said that it was time to work together for the development of the constituency.
“I call on the petitioner to join hands with me to deliver the dividends of democracy. I am satisfied with the judgment and the time it took the tribunal to deliver it,” he said.
The lawmaker dedicated the victory at the tribunal to God Almighty and to the law abiding people of his constituency.
Zacharias currently represents Idah Federal Constituency of Kogi which is made up of Idah, Ibaji, Ofu and Igalamela Odolu Local Government Areas.
