The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi yesterday upheld the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Samuel Ortom as it dismissed the petition by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, Terhemen Tarzoor, for lacking in merit.
Justice Elizabeth Karatu, who read the three-hour judgment, said the petitioner failed to prove that Governor Ortom was not qualified to stand election.
She said the respondent had proved that he was an APC member by tendering his membership card and his letter of waiver at the tribunal.
Ortom urged Tarzoor to join him in building a new Benue, which everyone would be proud of.
Addressing reporters after the judgment, he said his election was God’s will, adding that he nursed the ambition to rule the state for more than 20 years.
There was jubilation in Makurdi and other parts of the state. APC supporters took to the streets, dancing.