Tribunal dismisses Onjeh’s petition and sustains Sen Moro’s victory for the PDP.

The petition filed by Mr. Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, APC, contesting Senator Abba Moro’s victory in the Benue South District Senatorial election was denied by the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, presided over by Justice Ory Zik-Ikeorha.

Recall that Senator Moro was declared the victor of the Senate election held on February 25, 2023 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC.

Senator Moro did not win the election by a majority of the legitimate votes cast, according to Mr. Onjeh and the APC, who were unhappy with the decision. They also claimed that the election was invalid since the Electoral Act of 2022’s requirements were not followed.

In a unanimous ruling by the three-member panel, Justice Zik-Ikeorha rendered judgement in the case on Sunday in Makurdi, concluding that “the quality of witnesses called by the petitioners was not enough to strengthen the petition or sustain it.”

While holding that the pleadings did not constitute evidence, Justice Zik-Ikeorha further concluded that “the evidence adduced by the petitioners was weak and porous.”

Senator Moro did not win the election by a majority of the legitimate votes cast, according to Mr. Onjeh and the APC, who were unhappy with the decision. They also claimed that the election was invalid since the Electoral Act of 2022’s requirements were not followed.

In a unanimous ruling by the three-member panel, Justice Zik-Ikeorha rendered judgement in the case on Sunday in Makurdi, concluding that “the quality of witnesses called by the petitioners was not enough to strengthen the petition or sustain it.”

While holding that the pleadings did not constitute evidence, Justice Zik-Ikeorha further concluded that “the evidence adduced by the petitioners was weak and porous.”

As a result, she denied the appeal and upheld Senator Moro’s appointment to the position of senator for the Benue South Senatorial District.

In response, Mr. Tunde Oso, the attorney for Mr. Onjeh, said he would speak with his client before deciding what to do next.

Senator Moro’s attorney, Mr. Rafael Adakole, claimed that by treating the case fairly, the tribunal merely confirmed the viewpoint of the majority in the Benue South District.