Supreme court affirms Hyacinth Alia as Benue state Governor

The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of Benue State after the Apex Court dismissed the appeal of Titus Uba of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal after counsel for the PDP governorship candidate, Sebastian Hon withdrew the appeal challenging APC victory in the March 18 governorship election.

Hon, a Senior Advocate, withdrew the appeal after getting a hint from the Apex Court panel that the matter before it was one bordering on nomination and as such a pre-election matter.

The PDP had faulted the nomination of Alia and his deputy, Sam Ode, stating that their names were not submitted to electoral body, INEC within the time required by law.

And the Apex Court panel said, in response, that it lacked jurisdiction to hear such a case, insisting it is a pre-election matter and doesn’t fall under the provision of Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which requires that a candidate be sponsored to run for election.