Read Why Tribunal Sacked Taraba State Speaker

The election of the Speaker of the Tarawa State House of Assembly, Hon Abel Peter Diah, was on Wednesday, annulled by the election petition tribunal sitting in Jalingo, the state capital. 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Mbamga State constituency, Mr. Emmanuel Bongo, had filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the victory of Hon Diah on the grounds that election in nine polling units of the constituency did not conform substantially to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The tribunal while delivering its judgement, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to the Speaker pending the conclusion of elections in 8 out of the total 48 polling units in the constituency. Justice A.M Ali, who read the judgement on behalf of the three man panel of justices, ordered the INEC to conduct fresh election in the eight polling units within 90 days.