The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the victory of Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial seat, consequently removing the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, from the Senate.
Presidency Denounces Atiku’s Claims on Supreme Court Verdict
The verdict, delivered by Justice Abimbola Osarugue Obaseki Adejumo, leading the panel, dismissed Suswam’s claims of irregularities and falsification of results during the senatorial election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially announced Udende as the victor.
Suswam had previously filed a petition at the Benue State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to contest Udende’s win. The tribunal had initially ruled in favor of Suswam, prompting the APC to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, the Court of Appeal emphasized that Suswam’s claims were unsubstantiated and that Udende had legitimately won the senatorial election. The judgement of the tribunal, which had nullified Udende’s victory, was thus overturned.
As a result, the Court of Appeal has reinstated Emmanuel Udende as the winner of the fiercely contested Benue North East senatorial election that took place on February 25.
Court of Appeal Affirms Akpoti-Uduagan as Kogi Central Senatorial Election Winner
