Benue Guber Tussle: Tension In Makurdi As Supreme Court Delivers Judgment

The tension got to the highest level in Benue State as the Supreme Court has scheduled judgment for 2pm on Tuesday, January 21, in the appeal by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Emmanuel Jime challenging the victory of Governor Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

A seven-man panel of the court led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta stood down proceedings till 2pm after lawyers to parties in the appeals adopted their written briefs and prayed the court to grant their clients’ prayers.

Other members of the panel are: Justices Olukayode Ariwoola, Dattijo Mohammed, Amina Augie, Paul Galinje, Amiru Sanusi and Uwani Abba-Aji.

The Court will hear the petition filed by the Benue State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last election, Mr.Emmanuel Jime who is challenging the victory of Governor Samuel Ortom of the People Democratic Party, PDP.

Fear triple in the state capital Monday night, many appointees, contractors and beneficiaries under the current governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, see this judgment as a threat to their jobs and contracts, on the other hand, the opposition party is praying for ‘the Imo style of victory’ to happen.

A trip to wurukum, wadata, High level, north bank, show more support for the APC candidate in person of Emmanuel Jime (popularly called Emmanuel macron of Benue State).

Market Women, Traders, Benue state civil servants are not too happy with the current administration, probably the present governors has not treated the state fairly financially.

The situation on ground is delicate, while some tribal forks want Ortom to complete his 8 years tenure, so that, the seat of power will rotate to other zone within the TIV sharing formula, other see it as a waste of time, a competent hand with wealth of experience should govern the state.

Many see the state not moving in the right direction, hence there should be change in administration, an extreme and highly professional and capable hand is needed to change the fortune of the state economy

Recalls that the appeal which was earlier scheduled to be heard on Monday, January 13, 2020 alongside those of Kano, Sokoto, Plateau, Bauchi and Imo States was later adjourned to Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad further adjourned hearing in the appeals for Benue, Plateau and Bauchi, saying, their appeals would elapse on January 26, 2020.

Since the shift in date, supporters of both parties and candidates have in the last few days taken to the social media to dish out analysis as to why the ruling of the court would swing in the favour.

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