A great win – Gov Alia reacts to victory at Supreme Court

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Monday described his victory at the Supreme Court as a great win for the people of the state.

Alia said his victory at the Supreme Court would motivate his administration to do more in developing the state.

The Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the 2023 governorship election, Titus Uba.

The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja had at different times upheld the election of Alia as governor of Benue state.

Not happy with the judgments of the tribunal and the court below, Uba and his party approached the apex court to seek redress.

But on Monday, Uba’s lawyer, Sebastian, announced the withdrawal of the appeal, which paved the way for its dismissal by the apex court.

Recall that the Appeal Court had on November 20, 2023, dismissed the appeal filed by Uba against Alia’s election over allegations that the deputy governorship candidate of APC, Samuel Ode presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission contrary to Section 182(1)(j) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) among others.

The PDP candidate also claimed that Alia’s name was submitted less than 180 days before the election date, and Ode was also not submitted to INEC after the party conducted a further re-run primary election.

However, a 3-man panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi held that Uba failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations of forgery against Ode.

However, addressing journalists in Abuja after the judgment, Alia urged people across the state, regardless of their political affiliations, to unite and contribute to its development.

Alia said, “I am very excited. It is 100 per cent justice delivered. The victory is for all the people of the state. God leads and this again demonstrates that justice is justice. We are pleased it came to this point. It is going to ginger us some more to do great things for the state.

“It is high time everyone comes on board with us for the progress and development of the state. It is a great win for all the great people of the state and we are very excited about the victory.”