The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal affirming the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress.
The party, in a statement issued on Saturday by its state Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, said a review with its team of lawyers indicated that the judgment did not meet the requirements of substantive justice and was not in alignment with extant electoral laws, guidelines, and regulations.
“After a review of the judgment with its team of lawyers, PDP believes that it does not meet the requirements of substantive justice and is not in alignment with extant electoral laws, guidelines and regulations,” the statement partly read
The PDP said it has accordingly directed its lawyers to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja within the timeframe specified by law.
The party urged its teeming supporters across the state to be calm and of good cheer in the faith that though the walk to justice may be long, the goal of reclaiming the governorship mandate will surely be achieved in the end.
The tribunal sitting in Makurdi upheld Alia’s election on Saturday, dismissing the petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Titus Uba.
The PDP had alleged that the election was marred by irregularities, including over-voting, intimidation of voters, and falsification of results. However, the tribunal dismissed these allegations, saying that the PDP had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
