The Benue State National and State Assemblies Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, has upheld the declaration of former Senate President David Mark as the winner of the Benue South Senatorial election.
The Justice Mosumola Dipeolu-led tribunal in a unanimous judgment that lasted for two and a half hours on Tuesday, dismissed the petition brought by the defeated All Progressives Congress candidate, Daniel Onjeh, challenging the election of Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party.
In the judgment, the tribunal held that the petitioner failed to establish any case of alleged irregularities against Mark’s election.
Justice Dipelou said Onjeh and theAPC failed woefully to prove allegations of rigging, multiple thumb-printing, over stuffing of ballots, allocation of votes, intimidation, harassment and inducement of voters among others.
The tribunal also held that the petitioner failed to substantiate any of his claims which she said was fatal to Onjeh’s case.
Meanwhile, Mark has hailed the verdict of the tribunal, restating his faith in the sanctity of the judiciary and rule of law.
He said the judiciary remained the hope and defender of the rights of the oppressed.
The ex-Senate President expressed appreciation to the judiciary for standing for the truth and reaffirming the mandate freely given to him by the people of Benue South Senatorial district.
Mark promised to do everything that was constitutionally right to bring the dividend of democracy to the door steps of his constituents and beyond.
