The Chief of Staff to the Niger State Governor, Hon. Abdullahi Usman Gbatamangi, has said that he was at the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal (EPT) to challenge the mandate given to him by his Constituency at the February 25, National Assembly Elections.
He said his Constituency and his party the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), took the matter to the tribunal challenging his stolen mandate by the People's Democratic party (PDP) candidate Hon. Joshua Gana,
Speaking with Journalists shortly after testifying before panel two of the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Godspower Agwuna, at High court Complex in Minna Monday, the Chief of Staff reiterated that he will pursue his stolen mandate at the tribunal in a civilized way.
"My constituency and my party, the APC, felt that the mandate was stolen by the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). I'm pursuing the mandate in a very civilized way.
"And they have approached the tribunal to reclaim the stolen mandate that they collectively gave me during the election conducted on the 25th of February, 2023," he told Journalists.
Abdullahi Usman Gbatamangi had approached the three-member National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal led by Justice Godspower Agwuna through his counsel Johnson Jacob Usman SAN, to challenge the election of Joshua Audu Gana, of the PDP.
Gbatamangi in his petition, claimed that he won the lawful votes of Edati Lavun and Mokwa at the February 25, National Assembly Elections and sought the tribunal to upturn the election and declare him the rightful winner.
According to the Chief of Staff, "the election of the People's Democratic Party candidate recorded with a lot of malpractices: ballot stuffing, over-voting, and so many irregularities, and my people felt that their mandate was stolen and they approached the tribunal to reclaim their mandate".
Joshua Gana, the son of the former minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana of the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP), was declared winner of the election.
He contested and floored the plaintiff, Usman Gbatamangi, who was just sworn in as the Chief of Staff to Hon Mohammed Umar Bago Governor of Niger State, said he will be declared the rightful winner of the election to represent the good people of Edati, Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
However, the case has been adjourned to June 14, for more witnesses to appear to give evidence.
One-time Local Government Chairman of Mariga and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has been elected as the Speaker of the 10th Niger State House of Assembly.
The House also elected Hon. Afiniki Daudu, who was a member of the 6th Assembly into the office of the Deputy Speaker as the first woman to occupy that position since the creation of the state.
Sarkin-Daji, of the All Progressive Congress (APC-Mariga) and a first-time lawmaker, was nominated by Mr. Mohammed Haruna (APC-Bida II) while Abdulrahman Gambo (APC-Borgu) seconded the motion.
Mrs. Afiniki Daudu (APC-Gurara) was equally elected as the Deputy Speaker and was nominated by Pharm. Umar Nasir (APC-Paikoro) and was seconded by Bello Bako (APC-Rijau).
While, the Clerk to the state Assembly, Mr. Abdullahi Kagara, thereafter administered the Oath of Office and Allegiance to the elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
Speaker Sarkindaji, thereafter, administered the Oath of Office and Allegiance to the remaining 25 members of the assembly.
Speaking further, the Speaker announced that the state working committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) recommended and approved Mr Idris Vatsa (APC-Lapai) as the majority leader and Hon Mohammed Abubakar (APC-Chanchaga) as the chief Whip of the assembly and Mohammed Garba (APC-Agwara) as deputy majority leader.
He added that the opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also approved Mr Andrew Doma (PDP-Shiroro) as Minority Leader and Ndagi Zakari (PDP-Mokwa) as Deputy Minority Leader.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, while fielding questions from reporters after the inauguration, said the House would work harmoniously with the Executive Arm of Government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the Nigerlites.
