Benue state election news update
Here are some recent news updates on the Benue State election:
Benue Guber Election: Ortom Wins Re-election
On March 9, 2023, Samuel Ortom, the incumbent Governor of Benue State, won re-election for a second term, defeating his closest rival, Terhemen Tarhembor, of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ortom, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 434,473 votes, while Tarhembor got 329,395 votes.
INEC Declares Ortom Winner
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ortom the winner of the election after collating results from all 23 local government areas of the state. The commission's Returning Officer, Professor Sebastian Maimako, announced the result at the INEC headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital.
Ortom's Victory Celebrated
Ortom's victory was celebrated by his supporters, who took to the streets of Makurdi to rejoice. The governor-elect thanked his supporters and promised to continue working for the development of the state.
Tarhembor Concedes Defeat
Terhemen Tarhembor, the APC candidate, conceded defeat, congratulating Ortom on his victory. Tarhembor said he accepted the result, but expressed concerns about alleged irregularities in the election.
Election Observers Laud Conduct of Election
The election was generally peaceful, with observers from local and international organizations praising the conduct of the poll. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) described the election as "generally peaceful and well-organized."
Next Steps
With Ortom's re-election, the focus now shifts to the inauguration of the new administration. Ortom is expected to be sworn in for his second term on May 29, 2023. The governor-elect has promised to continue working on projects initiated during his first term, including the development of agriculture, infrastructure, and education.
Please note that these updates are based on publicly available news reports and may not reflect the most recent information.