The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the nomination of David Jimkuta as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Taraba South on February 25.

In a judgment on Wednesday, a three-member panel of the appellate court set aside an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Jalingo, which dismissed Jimkuta’s suit against his substitution with the name of Danjuma Shiddi.

Justice Hamman Barka, who read the Court of Appeal judgment on Wednesday, held that the primary election won by Jimkuta was conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC and was validly held in accordance with relevant laws.

Justice Barka held that it is only the NWC of a political party that has the powers, rights and vires to conduct a valid primary election for the party.

Jimkuta had won the APC primary election for Taraba South with 170 votes but was wrongfully substituted by his party with Shiddi, who scored 70 votes.

Dissatisfied by the party’s decision, Jimkuta sued at the Federal High Court in Jalingo to seek redress, having won the party’s primary election.

The trial court ruled against him, a decision he challenged at the Court of Appeal.

Reacting to the judgement, Jimkuta thanked the court for restoring his mandate, saying “it was a victory for democracy, the people of Taraba South and the entire APC family.

Jimkuta urged his opponents to sheathe their swords and join hands with him to work towards victory at the polls.

THE NATION