The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Monday nullified the election of the state Assembly deputy speaker, Chris Adaji.

Adaji of Peoples Democratic Party was declared winner of the 2019 Ohimini State Constituency election.

Delivering the judgment, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice R. O. Odudu held that the margin with which Adaji led Musa Alechenu Ohimini of All Progressives Congress (APC) was less than the number of votes cancelled.

In the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adaji led with 397 votes.

But the tribunal found that the margin was less than the 1, 056 votes cancelled in the two polling units of Igbanomaje and Odega.

Justice Odudu in the judgment noted that INEC ought not to have made final declaration without ordering for a rerun in the affected polling units other than declare an inconclusive poll.

Justice Odudu held that the declaration and return of Adaji without a rerun in Otega and Ogadagba ward was invalid by reason of non substantial compliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The tribunal thereby ordered for withdrawal of certificate of return issued to Adaji and directed INEC to conduct rerun election in the two polling units where elections were cancelled within 90 days.

The APC candidate, Musa Ohimini Alechenu described the decision of the tribunal as a testimony of the wishes of the people.

While exuding confidence of winning the rerun election, Alechenu said, “I want to appreciate the Tribunal for the good job done.

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