Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has withdrawn the petition he filed against the outcome of the Benue North West senatorial election held on February 25.
Ortom of the PDP lost his bid to clinch the Benue North West senatorial seat to his former Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Titus Zam, of the APC.
Shortly after the election, the governor filed a petition at the tribunal to challenge the result.
Addressing journalists shortly after meeting with his campaign team at the Government House, Makurdi, Ortom said he decided to withdraw the case in the interest 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 taken the decision to withdraw 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.”