Benue election tribunal news today

Here are some recent news updates on the Benue State Election Tribunal:

Latest Update (March 2023)

The Benue State Election Tribunal has nullified the election of the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, and ordered a fresh election within 90 days. The tribunal delivered the judgment on March 15, 2023, after hearing the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hyacinth Alia.

Background

The election petition was filed by Alia, who alleged that the election was marred by irregularities and that Ortom was not validly elected. The tribunal, led by Justice Y. A. Ademola, heard the petition and delivered the judgment on March 15, 2023.

Key Findings

The tribunal found that the election was characterized by widespread irregularities, including over-voting, thumb-printing, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. The tribunal also found that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to conduct a free and fair election.

Consequences

The nullification of Ortom's election means that he is no longer the Governor of Benue State. The tribunal has ordered a fresh election to be conducted within 90 days, which will be supervised by INEC.

Reactions

The ruling has been met with mixed reactions from various stakeholders. The APC has welcomed the judgment, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described it as a "judicial coup". Ortom has also expressed disappointment with the judgment and has vowed to appeal.

Next Steps

The next steps will depend on the outcome of any appeals that may be filed by the parties involved. If the judgment is upheld, a fresh election will be conducted in Benue State, which could potentially lead to a change in the state's leadership.

Please note that these updates are based on publicly available information and may not reflect the most recent developments.