BENUE State governor Samuel Ortom has withdrawn his petition to the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal over his loss in the Benue North-West senatorial election.
After losing the Benue North-West senatorial seat to his former appointee, Titus Zam of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ortom had alleged that the election was rigged.
But, briefing journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, March 28th, Ortom said he decided to withdraw the case “in the interest of peace”.
He added that his decision is without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election results.
“Though, there was glaring evidence of malpractices including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North-West Senatorial election, I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal”, Ortom stated.
The governor also asked his political opponents to forgive his shortcomings while presiding over the affairs of the state.
He said, “For those I might have offended in this journey of serving the state and our country, I seek their forgiveness, as I also forgive those who have offended me.
“It has been an honour to serve people of Benue State as governor. Within this period, I have executed the mandate given to me by God almighty through Benue people and I will always be available and ready to carry out God’s mandate as He directs me.
“I must commend the resilience of Benue people who went out to vote during the elections despite glaring provocation and intimidation by the federal might.”
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Meanwhile, Ortom restated his commitment to the PDP “to enable it bounce back from the mistakes and drawbacks that are affecting it at the moment”.
The national leadership of the PDP recently referred Ortom to a disciplinary committee over alleged anti-party activities. But the governor has vowed that he will not appear before the committee.
Ortom said the PDP national leadership disregarded a Court Order which barred the party and its organs from taking any disciplinary measure against him.
Sinafi Omanga works as a multimedia and investigative reporter at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting - ICIR. He has a keen interest in accountability, health and environmental issues.
Twitter handle:
@OmangaSinafi
Email:
somanga@icirnigeria.org