Mr Emmanuel Jime, the defeated Benue Governorship candidate
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the APC in the state have filed a
joint petition challenging the victory of Gov Samuel Ortom at the general
elections held between February and March in the state.
It was gathered that the governorship polls in the state
were declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) and reconducted in March where Ortom was declared winner.
Ortom polled a total of 434,473 to floor his closest rival,
Jime of the APC, with 345,155 votes.
The petition was filed on Friday at about 10:15pm by Mr
Sunday Ameh, (SAN).
Ameh told reporters that the petitioners (Jime and APC) were
challenging the return of Gov Ortom by the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).
“Our prayers are that Ortom did not win the elections by
majority of lawful votes cast at that election, rather it is the prayer of Jime
that the tribunal declare him as dinner of that election, having been the
candidate that scored majority of lawful votes cast”.
The petitioners other grounds were; that Gov Ortom was not
duly elected by majority of lawful votes and that his election was invalid by
reason of non- compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as
amended.
The petitioners alternative reliefs were that; the elections
be nullified for substantial non- compliance with the electoral act across the
polling units where electoral infringements took place.
They are further asking the court to order fresh elections
if the results of the affected polling units identified in the petition affect
the entire result.
Also speaking to newsmen at the tribunal, Dr Sam Ode, APC
deputy governorship candidate said they had raised genuine issues that would
give them justice at the end of the day.
Ode further said that they did not have any personal issues
against Gov Ortom and commended the Benue people for their peaceful conduct
during the polls.
“We are acting within the law and until the declaration of
Ortom is upturned, we will cooperate with him and Benue citizens, what we need
in Benue is development, peace and the welfare of our citizens is paramount.
“So we don’t have anything personal against Ortom, the
issues we have are purely political and purely issues that border on the
welfare and future of Benue people. We are all partners in progress”.
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