Court removes Gabriel Suswam as Senator, upholds APC’s Udende’s victory
In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has ousted the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, from the Senate. The three-member panel of Justices stated that they were convinced that Suswam was not the rightful winner of the senatorial election helds in Benue North East on February 25.
The Court of Appeal criticized the judgment of the Benue State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which reinstated Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the senator, overturning the election victory of Mr. Emmanuel Udende from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Hence, the court invalidated the tribunal’s judgment and affirmed Udende as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election held on February 25.
Justice Abimbola Osarugue Obaseki Adejumo, who led the panel, delivered the lead verdict, stating, “The judgment of the tribunal delivered on 8/9/2023 is hereby set aside. The return of the Appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed. Parties are to bear their respective costs.”
It should be noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially declared Udende as the winner of the senatorial election, as he secured a total of 135,573 votes, surpassing Senator Suswam, who received 112,231 votes.
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