The All Progressives Congress, APC in Benue State has expressed dissatisfaction over the recent majority judgement of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal upholding the petition of Senator Gabriel Suswam as the winner of the February 25th Benue North East senatorial election.
Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who was defeated by Emmanuel Udende of the APC had approached the election tribunal to upturn the election in his favour due to irregularities in the February 25th North East senatorial election.
In a split decision, Chairman of the panel Justice Ory Zik-Ikeoha and 2 members entered judgment in favour of the petitioner.
A statement signed by the Benue State publicicity secretary of the APC, Dan Ihomu in Makurdi said,the party is dissatisfied with the tribunal’s judgement and saluted the courage of one of the 3 members of the Tribunal panel Usman Mohammed for dismissing Suswam’s petition against Emmanuel Udende and awarding the cost of 100,000 against Suswam.
Mohammed in his judgment, held that evidence of PDP and Gabriel Suswam is grossly insufficient to sustain his petition.
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“We therefore, express our dissatisfaction with the spurious judgment delivered by the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
“We are sure that the Appellate court will restore the miscarriage perpetuated by the majority decision of the Tribunal.
“We urge members of the party to remain calm as Udende proceeds to the appellate court to defend the mandate given to him by the good people of Zone A with the confidence that Nigeria’s Judicial system can still protect us.
Our quest for justice remains on course and our passion towards redressing the travesty of justice meted out on our people.”The statement read in part
Ihomu added that Udende’s mandate remains unshaken and is on solid grounds.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
