Dino Melaye the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Kogi west senatorial district election held in November 16, 2020 has expressed his resolve to appeal tribunal verdict.
Melaye through a post on his twitter handle has said he never expected victory at the election petition tribunal. The tribunal had affirmed the election of Smart Adeyemi. Melaye maintains enthusiasm that the appeal court will reverse the judgement of the lower court which sat in Abuja, Nigeria.
He had sought declaration as the legitimate winner of the election. Melaye alleged irregularities and non-compliance with the election act.
He had petitioned the tribunal seeking for cancellation of the poll but the three-man panel in a unanimous decision upheld the defender’s election
The panel based their judgement on the inability of the petitioner to prove beyond doubt claims of inconsistencies, over-voting, violence and non-compliance with the standard of the electoral act.
The 71 witnesses called by the petitioners were adjudged to have contradicted themselves during cross-examination and made “worthless, unreliable and unmerited statements” that cannot be relied on.
The camp of Adeyemi has expressed gratitude to God for the verdict and hopes for victory at the appeal.
Source: The Cable