The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent majority ruling of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld Senator Gabriel Suswam’s petition as the winner of the February 25th Benue North East senatorial election.
Gabriel Suswam, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had been defeated by Emmanuel Udende of the APC, had filed a petition due to irregularities in the February 25th North East senatorial election. However, in a split decision, the Chairman of the panel Justice Ory Zik-Ikeoha and another member ruled in favor of Gabriel Suswam.
In a statement signed by the Benue State publicity secretary of the APC, Dan Ihomu in Makurdi, it was stated, “While we are dissatisfied with the tribunal’s judgment, we salute the courage of one of the three members of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Justice U.Z. Mohammed, for dismissing Sen. Suswam’s petition against Emmanuel Udende and awarding the cost of 100,000 against Suswam.”
Justice Mohammed, in his judgment, found that the evidence presented by the PDP and Gabriel Suswam was grossly insufficient to support their petition. The APC expressed confidence that the appellate court would rectify the perceived miscarriage of justice by the tribunal and called on party members to remain calm.
The statement emphasized that Senator Udende’s mandate remained strong and unshaken.
Meanwhile, the Benue State PDP praised the Tribunal for delivering substantial justice based on the facts and evidence presented before it, following electoral laws, guidelines, and regulations. The party highlighted the significance of the victory, as it increased its representation in the National Assembly, and expressed optimism about the pending Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgment.
Bemgba Iortyom, the party’s publicity secretary in the state, expressed confidence in Senator Suswam’s ability to use his experience and expertise in the 9th Senate for the benefit of his constituents, the party, and Nigeria as a whole.
