On behalf of the Parradang for Senate Campaign Organization, we wish to inform all
our supporters, party faithfuls and our great party, the PDP, as well as our friends,
that the judgement of the legislative tribunal of 10th September 2019 is being
challenged at the Court of Appeal.
You may recall that well over 200,000 voters in the Plateau Central Senatorial Zone
went to the polls on 23rd February 2019. During collation of results, we won roundly
in Bokkos, Mangu, Pankshin and Kanke, LGA polling the majority of votes in the 4
local government areas in the senatorial district.
You may also recall that the results from Kanam LGA were delayed for over 60
hours raising the suspicion of voter fraud to diminish and surpass our 19,000 vote
lead over the APC candidate. Alas, on the arrival of the Kanam LGA results, they
announced an APC lead of 23,000 votes in one LGA.
We decided, therefore, to challenge this daylight robbery of the mandate freely
given us at the election tribunal. Witnesses were called, documentary evidence

tendered, all of which were vigorously, logically and eloquently argued by our
lawyers.
The tribunal panel of three judges discountenanced all these and dismissed our
petition. While appreciating the panel for the manner in which they handled the
hearing of the petition, their decision to dismiss our petition is bizarre with no
correlation at all to the trial proceedings and flow of the trial. Though experienced
and learned, we believe that the best of men, even the best of judges is just a man
and not all knowledgeable as God.
The decision of these 3 persons against the decision of the majority of voters in
the senatorial district is at best whimsical. To rely on technicalities to deny our
people of self-chosen proper representation cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
We are firmly of the opinion that this decision is not correct, and we have
challenged it and we know victory is certain.
We are aware that federal might was deployed to the collation centre at Pankshin
comprising about 300 mobile policemen and soldiers to secure the Returning Officer
to announce the candidate of the powers that be as elected and not the people of our zone.

Shall we allow the rule of force to go unchallenged? Shall we just give up on the
precious mandate of our people?
What will our children say to all these, that we gave in at their threats and force?
We say no! We have challenged this, and we will not succumb to fear. The Plateau
spirit is fearless especially in the face of injustice. Injustice to one is injustice to all.
Let me assure our party faithfuls and all those who have been calling and praying for
our mandate to be restored that we cannot thank you enough and that this will end
in victory. Each time I close my eyes in meditation I recall the faces of our people
from Bokkos to Kanam, from Mangu to Kanke and Pankshin who are eager for good
representation and assure them that I will not carelessly throw away the baton of
the mandate they cheerfully gave me.
I end this by paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt who in a speech made in 1910
said “Though our face is marred by dust, sweat and blood, we shall continue to
strive valiantly, though we err and come short again and again, we know that there
is no effort without error and shortcoming, because we have great enthusiasm and
a great devotion to the service of our people”. We know it is a worthy cause to
represent the people of Plateau Central. We will not give up our place. Our place
shall never be with any cold and timid souls who will not know victory and we are
certain that we will savour triumph and high achievement reserved for the
courageous and valiant”. I am happy and fulfilled when I serve my people. God bless
you all.

David Shikfu Parradang, OFR, MNI
PDP Senatorial Candidate,
Plateau Central Senatorial District

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Plateau senatorial : paradang to challenge polls in the Appeal court..