The Benue State National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, located in Makurdi, has invalidated the election of Emmanuel Udende, the Senator representing Benue North-East senatorial district under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Instead, it declared Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner of the election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In its ruling, the three-member panel of Justices, presided over by Justice Ory Zik-Ikeorha, sided with the petitioner, Gabriel Suswam. The tribunal found that Suswam had provided substantial evidence of over-voting during the election….CONTINUE READING
According to Justice Zik-Ikeorha, the initial declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which stated that Udende of the APC had garnered 135,573 votes to defeat Gabriel Suswam of the PDP with 112,231 votes, was incorrect.
The tribunal established that over-voting occurred in five local government areas, including Vandeikya, Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Ushongo, where Udende was credited with 51,895 votes, while Suswam received 21,229 votes.
After deducting invalid votes, Gabriel Suswam of the PDP was found to have secured 90,590 valid votes, while Udende of the APC was left with 82,699 votes. Consequently, the tribunal canceled the certificate of return issued to Udende and ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Suswam.
In response to the judgment, Senator Suswam’s lead counsel, Barr. Donald Kertyo, praised it as sound and emphasized the importance of embracing opponents for the development of the state.
