The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of Hyacinth Alia as governor of the state.
Alia ( APC)was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC after polling the highest number of the total vote cast.
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His victory was however challenged by Titus Uba, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But delivering its judgement on Saturday, the, chairman of the three-member panel of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Karaye said it lacked jurisdiction to hear the petition because it is a pre-election matter.
He said Uba ought to have prosecuted the forgery allegation against Sam Ode, Benue deputy governor, at the high court.
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Meanwhile Alia said the judgement is further proof that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
The governor In a statement issued by Tersoo Kula, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) said his administration is committed to prioritising the welfare of the residents of Benue.
According to him” the court has indicated once again that it is the last hope of the common man and that no might is powerful enough to thwart the supreme will of the people, and claim power through the back door,”
“Governor Alia rededicates himself to the service of the people and the strengthening of democratic values across the state” the statement said
