See details of Jime’s petition against Gov. Ortom, PDP

Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State in the just concluded general elections, Mr. Emmanuel Jime and his party has filed a petition to challenge the victory of Mr. Samuel Ortom and his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, after the supplementary elections held on the 23rd March, 2019 declared Samuel Ortom as the winner of the polls.

Jime earlier in company of his legal team made up of 5 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) and over 50 lawyers trooped in to file the petition at the tribunal’s headquarters, High Court 6, Opposite Immigration office, Old GRA, Makurdi. Leading the Jime legal team is Yusuf Ali (SAN), an advocate of note and well respected and admired among his peers and juniors both at the inner and outer bar.

The petition is premised on the following two grounds.
1. That the 2nd Respondent (Samuel Ioraer Ortom) was not duly elected by lawful votes cast.
2. That the election of the 2nd Respondent was invalid by reason of noncompliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as ammended.

Jime expressed hope that he will come out victorious at the tribunal, given the huge cache of evidece and proof lifted from the inspection of electoral materials from INEC and other dependable witnesses.

“You will recall that after INEC had announced Mr. Ortom of the PDP as winner of the last elections in the face of very glaring manipulation and primitive rigging, I promised my supporters, party faithfuls and the good people of the state who earnestly yearned for a true change that I shall not afford to keep mute for their goodwill to be tempared with. That I was going to legitimately interrogate the declaration.

“The exercise I have done here today is to mark the beginning of the journey. Once again, let me assure you of my unwavering commitment to this course. Do not be depressed or give up your dream for a better Benue. With God and you by my side, I shall pursue this to a logical conclusion.
“The heap of evidence we have gathered are overwhelming and indeed tear-jerking to contemplate or thinker with ignoring for whatsoever reason. Benue must be redeemed”.