Tribunal upholds elections of Benue Deputy Speaker, others

Panel One of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, has successfully completed its duties by rendering judgements on the last five election petitions on its docket.

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Chaired by Justice Ory Zik-Ikeorha, the panel, which included Justice Usman Mohammed as Member 1 and Honourable Justice Saliu Zubayr as Member 2, diligently delivered their judgments in each of the respective petitions.

A significant decision reached on Thursday was the declaration of Hon. Danladi Lamin, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate and Deputy Speaker of the Benue State Assembly, as the rightful winner. The petitioners, Hon. Agnes Uloko and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contested Lamin’s qualification to stand for election and alleged irregularities during the electoral process. However, the tribunal ruled in favour of Lamin, stating that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims.

The tribunal also affirmed the victory of APC candidate Hon. Agada Awuchi in this year’s Ogbadibo State Constituency election. Justice Usman Mohammed, delivering the lead judgement, emphasised that the petitioners, Hon. Patrick Enemari and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), did not provide sufficient evidence of election malpractices. The petitioners were ordered to pay a cost of N150,000 to the respondents, Awuchi, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Barrister C. N. Patrick, representing Awuchi, expressed satisfaction with the tribunal’s decision, stating that the petitioners failed to present their case convincingly by merely submitting documents without calling any witnesses for validation.

The tribunal also dismissed the petition brought by Arch Eric Adokwu and the APC against Hon. Ochekliye Isaac of the PDP for Ohimini State Constituency, citing a lack of merit. Similarly, Hon. Terkimbi Adeiyongu of the PDP lost his petition against Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua of the APC and INEC for Kyan State Constituency. Additionally, Arch Elijah Anayagher of the PDP lost his petition against Simon Gabo, APC, and INEC for Mata State Constituency.

Except for the petition related to Mata State Constituency, all other petitioners were directed to pay a sum of N150,000 to the respondents as costs.