By Sabiu Abdullahi
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has received his certificate of return as the Senator representing Plateau South District.
The presentation took place in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Thursday.
This development follows the Court of Appeal in Abuja upholding the tribunal’s judgment that declared Lalong the rightful winner of the Plateau South senatorial election.
The three-member panel, led by Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, affirmed the tribunal’s decision, stating that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to comply with a court order to conduct a fresh congress in the 17 local government areas of the state.
Williams-Dawodu emphasized that the PDP’s disregard for the court order delivered in 2022 led to the tribunal’s ruling on September 11, which declared the party ineligible to participate in the election.
Consequently, the victory of Napoleon Bali, PDP’s candidate who initially won the election, was annulled. Bali had secured 148,844 votes, while Lalong, contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC), obtained 91,674 votes.
Following his electoral setback, Lalong accepted a ministerial appointment from President Bola Tinubu, taking charge of the Labour Ministry.
Now, with the receipt of his certificate of return, there is speculation that Lalong may resign from his ministerial post to be inaugurated as a Senator in the upper chamber.
Your reaction