‘Totally unacceptable,’ APC rejects outcome of Benue rerun election

The emergence of the incumbent, Governor Samuel Ortom as the winner of the governorship election rerun in Benue State has been rejected by the Benue chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The party in a statement signed by Prof. Eugene Aliegba, Secretary Jime/Ode Campaign Organisation, said the election outcome did not reflect the wishes of the people.

The party also noted that it will retrieve its mandate as it would challenge the governorship results in court.

The statement declared that the outcome of the poll was “totally unacceptable to the APC”.

“When we embarked on this journey many months ago, it was to translate to reality the dreams of a better future for our suffering people.

“We toured the entire state and made our case for wealth creation through agriculture, education reforms, infrastructure development and a welfare package for our senior citizens.

Read also: PDP rejects Kano results, says rerun polls ‘a national disgrace’

“We told our people of our plans for improved capacity and welfare for civil servants, and a health policy that covers all Benue residents,” it said.

“Our messages resonated with the electorate because they could tell that our projects were about service, not hinged on intent to occupy office for the sake of it.

“But, even as the results declared did not appear to reflect the will of most of these same people, we call on our supporters to remain calm and law abiding as they had been throughout the campaigns and electioneering period.

“They have our full assurance that as a party that believes in democracy, we will not accept a stolen election,” the statement added.

According to results released by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ortom polled 434,473 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Jime, who got 345,155 votes – a margin of 89,318.

The result which returns Ortom for a second term in office was announced by INEC’s Returning Officer in the state, Professor Maimako Sebastian.

Before the rerun, Ortom was leading Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressive Congress with 81, 264 votes and with results announced by INEC, Ortom will remain in office for another four years.

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