The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has upheld the victory of Senator Abba Moro of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25, Benue South senatorial election.
Delivering judgment on Sunday, chairman of the panel, Ory’zik Ikeorha, said the petitioners, Daniel Onjeh and the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to prove their case.
Justice Ikeorha said the 17 witnesses called by the petitioner and documents tendered did not help his case.
According to her, the evidence was not cogent and compelling to prove his allegations of non-compliance to the Electoral Act.
She said the evidence of the petitioners was porous and full of emotions, adding that such pleadings were not enough to sustain his case and, therefore, was dismissed.
“Reliefs sought are hereby refused. The petition stands dismissed in entirety.
“The election of Moro is affirmed and there is no order as to cost,” said Justice Ikeorha.
Onjeh and the APC had dragged Senator Moro, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the tribunal, challenging his return as the winner of the Benue South senatorial election.
The petitioner averred that the respondent was not qualified to contest, not elected by majority of the lawful votes casts, and the election did not comply with the Electoral Act.
The petitioner also challenged the results of about 700 polling units out of the 729 polling units in the senatorial district on the grounds of several irregularities.
He also tendered all the results sheets of the polling units in the 9 local government areas to support his case.
However, the respondent raised an objection as to the competence of the petition: the objection was dismissed, and the petition was heard on its merit.
Speaking to journalists after the judgement, counsel to the petitioner, Adetunji Oso, Esq, said they were dissatisfied with the judgement and would appeal.
