The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the
Benue State capital, has upheld the election of Governor Samuel Ortom of
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressives Congress had approached the
court, seeking the nullification of Ortom’s election, citing
irregularities and over voting during the last election.
However, the tribunal threw out Jime’s case for failing to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
Reading the judgment on Monday evening, Chairman of the Tribunal,
Justice Henry Olusiyi, said Jime’s request for nullification of Ortom’s
election lacked merit and “hereby dismissed outrightly.”
Reacting, Governor Ortom described the ruling as victory for the people of the state who elected him for a second term.
The Governor stated that the verdict of the tribunal has confirmed
the unanimous decision of Benue voters and has proven that his
re-election was credible.
Governor Ortom in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver
Akase, also appreciated the leadership and members of Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP in the state, as well as other Benue people for the support
given to him before, during and after the polls.
“He specifically commends his Legal Team for its sterling performance during proceedings of the tribunal to secure the mandate.
“The Governor declares that the victory at the tribunal is for every
Benue person. He stresses that the task of building the state is the
responsibility of all its people.
“Governor Ortom extends a hand of fellowship to the candidate of All
Progressives Congress, APC for the 2019 governorship election, Barrister
Emmanuel Jime and other contestants in the election.
“He maintains that politics is over; now is time for governance, and
gives assurance that his administration is willing to collaborate with
Benue sons and daughters irrespective of political differences,
ethnicity, religion and place of origin.
“He restates the commitment of the present administration to the provision of selfless service to the people,” he added.