The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja on Monday affirmed the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as duly elected governor of Benue State.
A three-man panel of justices, in a unanimous decision, dismissed as lacking in merit an appeal the PDP candidate, Mr Titus Uba, filed to challenge the outcome of the gubernatorial election held in the state on March 18, adding that it found no reason to set aside the judgment of the Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which held, on September 23, validated the election victory of Alia as governor.
It held that some of the grounds the PDP candidate raised in his appeal not only bordered on pre-election issues but also had elements of crime.
According to the appellate court, the appellants (Uba and the PDP) had raised the issue of forgery against the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Samuel Ode.
It held that since such an allegation was criminal, it should be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The appellate court held that the appellants failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law.