The main opposition candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Senator Jeremiah Useni has rejected the final outcome of the result of the gubernatorial election and has vowed to reclaim his mandate in the tribunal.
He also assured the citizenry and the teaming party supporters in the State that the party will pursue the matter diligently.
Useni stated this while addressing journalists in Jos, the State Capital.
It would be recalled that in the early hours of Sunday, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the incumbent Governor and candidate of the APC, Simon Lalong, winner of the election, after polling 595, 587 votes, while his closest rival and candidate of the main opposition PDP, Senator Jeremiah Useni, got 546, 813 votes.
The PDP candidate, however said, “My team and I have gone through both the official results released by INEC and documents submitted by our own field staff; we have every reason to believe that justice has not been done to our people in this election, because there was massive rigging and electoral shortcomings.
“After due consultation, I hereby state that the results announce by INEC is not acceptable to us.
“Consequently, we have requested our legal team to activate all the due processes to reclaim our cherished mandate.”
“I give you my word that we will pursue this matter diligently, and by the grace of God, we will overturn and recover the peoples mandate”, Useni assured.
He thanked all leaders, stakeholders, members and supporters of the party for their commitment, hardwork and sacrifices, assuring that their labour will not go in vain.
“I appeal to all of us to unite all the more now and avoid any bickering and blame giving; unity of purpose must be the source of our strength.
“Let us remain focused on the struggle and avoid anything else that will distract and divide us; I want you to know that it is not yet over; this is only a temporary setback”, he maintained.
“We have entered another critical stage; let us stand together for God and for Plateau State”, he stressed.
