In a significant development, Simon Bako Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment and Senator-elect for Plateau South Senatorial District, has received his Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today. The certificate was presented at the INEC Headquarters by National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna.
During the brief event, the National Commissioner congratulated the former Plateau State Governor and wished him well as he continues to serve the people.
Lalong expressed joy on the victory and once again dedicated the certificate to the good people of Plateau South Senatorial District for their support and cooperation over the years, promising never to let them down.
This follows the recent decision by the Appeal Court in Abuja, which on November 7 upheld the tribunal’s judgment declaring Minister Simon Lalong as the winner of the Plateau South Senatorial election. The initial declaration by INEC had named Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner with 148,844 votes, while Lalong secured 91,674 votes, placing second in the February 25 elections.
Minister Lalong contested the results, urging the tribunal to nullify Bali’s election based on the argument that the PDP lacked a proper party structure, rendering it ineligible to field candidates for the elections.
In a unanimous judgment read by Justice Muhammad Tukur, the tribunal concurred that the PDP, without a proper structure, did not have the right to participate in the election. As a result, Simon Bako Lalong has now officially received the Certificate of Return, solidifying his position as the Senator-elect for Plateau South Senatorial District.