The State and National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of the member representing Bende Federal constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Kalu of the All Progressives Congress.
Delivering the judgement, the chairman of the panel, Hon Justice Samson Paul Gang said that the petitioner, Ifeanyi Frank Chinasa of the Labour Party failed to substantiate his claims of election irregularities and certificate racketeering levelled against the respondent.
According to the 3- man Panel, the Petitioner abandoned the prosecution of his claims half way while stressing that it is the responsibility of the Petitioner to follow his claims to a logical conclusion and consequently dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.
The Tribunal also refused the plea of the respondent”s counsel’s request of awarding the cost of 7millon naira against the petitioner. It could be recalled that the National House of Assembly election was held on the 25th of February, 2023.
