Suswam loses as court upholds Udende’s election in Benue North East

The Court of Appeal has upheld the election of the Senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Emmanuel Udende.

The court upturned the judgement of the lower court, which declared Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the February 28 poll in the state.

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal siting in Makurdi had sacked Udende of the All Progressives Congress and declared Suswam winner of the election.

The court had held that Suswam got the highest number of vote cast and therefore, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw Udende’s certificate and issue same to Suswam.

However, in its verdict on Wednesday, the appealant court said the lower court erred in its judgement and therefore declared Udende winner of the poll.