Benue State residents yesterday erupted in wild jubilation as the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi upheld the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Samuel Ortom.
The tribunal dismissed the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, 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.
The judge also held that the respondent had proven that he was an APC member by tendering his membership card and his letter of waiver at the tribunal.
Speaking with journalists after the judgment was delivered, Ortom urged Tarzoor to join him in building a new Benue, which everyone would be proud of.
He said his election was God’s will, adding that he nursed the ambition to rule the state for more than 20 years.
