Elections: Ex-Governor Suswam wins Benue North senatorial seat

Senator-elect, Benue North Senatorial District, Hon. Gabriel
Suswam, of the PDP has appealed to one of his opponents, Sen.
Barnabas Gemade, of the SDP to stop whining and accept defeat in
good faith.

Suswam told Journalists on Monday at the INEC office in Makurdi
that Gemade had no basis to complain against him as he was not even
his closest rival in the contest.

“Gemade was not even the one that came next to me according to
the result. He came a distant third. I congratulated Gemade when he
defeated me in 2015. So, I expect him to follow suit by
congratulating me, ”he said.

Gemade, who was also at the INEC office earlier, told
Journalists that he was there to complain against the conduct of
the elections.

He said the polls were marred by irregularities and accused
former Gov. Gabriel Suswam of allegedly using thugs to manipulate
the process.

He alleged that the former governor resorted to the use of
militia groups to rig the elections allegedly supported by
government officials.

”It was only in Konshisha and Ukum Local Government Areas that
they were unable to perpetuate the act of rigging.

”They were unable to carry out the act in those places because
our supporters prevented them from achieving their aim.

”But in other places they had a field day. I came to lodge my
petition with the INEC,” he said.

It was gathered that INEC had earlier announced Suswam of the
PDP as winner, over senator Gemade of the SDP and two others.