Rep. Donatus Mathew (LP – Kaura Federal Constituency) has commended the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna for upholding his victory, saying “it is time for quality representation”.
Mathew stated this while reacting to the judgment in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.
The tribunal had on Friday, dismissed the petition brought before it by Mr Gideon Gwani of the PDP, challenging the victory of Mathew during the Feb. 25 National Assembly Elections.
Expressing a sigh of relief, the lawmaker said that with the legal battle now over, he would channel his energy to impact the life of his constituents positively.
“Now that the petting is over, it is time to bring the desired change in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“This, I will do, through quality representation of my constituents, who demonstrated a high level of confidence in my ability to represent them during the Feb. 25 polls.
“The petition was a huge distraction, but I am glad that the course is now clear for me to begin to dialogue with my people on ways forward.”
The lawmaker said that he would partner with relevant stakeholders to address the problem of poverty and insecurity in the area through legislation.
Mathew said that his long-time ambition was to see positive transformation in the local government area through investment in sustainable development initiatives.
“I know the problem because I have been with the people; I know the challenges and the aspiration of the people.
“I am also aware of the present situation in the country and what our people are passing through, in terms of poverty and insecurity, including the deficit in human, physical and infrastructural development.
“All these are on the table, and I will work with my people to see how, together, we will turn things around for the good of all,” he said.
He thanked the tribunal for upholding justice, which he said, has restored people’s confidence in the judiciary in protecting the rights of the common man.
He pointed out that his contender, a Chief Whip at the Green Chamber, in the 9th assembly, was taking a shot at the seat for the fifth time when he lost to him.
“He has the financial muscle and all the connections, but I defeated him at the tribunal because the judiciary stood for justice and truth.
“This is a win for democracy and a win for my people who stood by me during the elections and prayed for me throughout the sittings at the tribunal.
“It is now time to prove to my constituents that they made the right choice when they elected me to represent them and that I will do to the best of my abilities,” he said.
Gwani had asked the tribunal to annul the election of Mathew on the grounds that he was not sponsored by the Labour Party and that his election was marred by malpractices.
But the tribunal in its judgment struck out the two prayers for lack of merit and ordered the PDP candidate to pay N1.6 million damages to Mathew.
The tribunal ruled that Gwani did not have the right to determine to a political party who should sponsor its candidate.
