Senate: Ortom Withdraws Case From Tribunal

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has dropped his appeal challenging the outcome of the February 25 senate election in Benue North West.

The PDP’s Ortom lost his campaign for the Benue North West senatorial seat to the APC’s Chief Titus Zam, his former Special Advisor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Issues.

The governor filed a petition with the tribunal shortly after the election to protest the outcome.

Ortom told journalists shortly after meeting with his campaign team at Government House in Makurdi that he withdrew the case for the sake of peace.

Ortom said, “Though there was glaring evidence of malpractice, including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North West senatorial election, I have withdrawn my case from the tribunal.”

“Let me add that the decision to withdraw my case from the court is in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of our party, PDP.”

He thanked God and the Benue people, as well as the PDP in the state, for their support for him to serve in various capacities throughout his over 40-year sojourn in politics.

The governor added that “As a leader of PDP, I will continue to support the party in collaboration with other leaders to enable it to bounce back from the mistakes and drawbacks that are affecting it at the moment.”