The Social Democratic Party, SDP, a candidate in the just concluded rerun election in Taraba State, Innocent Umaru Jabayang, said he has concluded plans to embark on a legal battle with both the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as well as it candidate, Sadiq Tafida.
The candidate who was not pleased with the outcome of the rerun for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency by-election, said he would tread every legitimate path to reclaim what he described as “a stolen mandate”.
Announcing his intentions before journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, he argued that the election was characterized by pockets of irregularities in most of the polling units in Jalingo.
Professor Olarenwaju Oladipo of the Federal University Wukari, who served as the returning officer for the election, had on Thursday, declared Sadiq Tafida of the PDP as the winner of the election.
In response to the declaration, Jabayang expressed his determination to pursue legal action to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
“My lawyers have already initiated legal proceedings. I won the election, but INEC colluded with the PDP to manipulate the results.
“I have concrete evidence to present to the judiciary, proving that my mandate was stolen. I will pursue this matter until justice is served.”
He alleged various irregularities during the election, including polling unit cancellations where he purportedly had a lead and instances of over-voting favouring the PDP candidate. Jabayang vowed to defend the mandate bestowed upon him by the voters and seek redress through the legal system.