Court Sacks Benue Speaker, Orders Fresh Election

Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi on Thursday, has sacked the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Justice Binta Nyako-led High Court in its verdict, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election for Ushongo and Mbagwa constituencies where IKyange represents within the next 90 days.

INEC has also been ordered to withdraw the certificate of return it issued to IKyange with immediate effect.

Justice Nyako, during the course of delivering judgment in the matter ordered the commission to respect the 2005 judgment that ordered the restoration of the Mbagwa state constituency to conduct election into Ushongo and Mbagwa state constituencies or any other names that it may be called.

The embattled APC speaker who contested the Ushongo state constituency won election and eventually emerged the speaker.

However, IKyange’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Bem Abunde, while reacting said that his principal’s seat was not threatened.

He added that Ushongo constituency remains while the judgment was meant for the restoration of Mbagwa constituency.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi upheld the election of Governor Ortom as the winner of the April 11 poll in the state.