BENIN- National/ State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin, Edo State, ended its primary assignment in the state, weekend, when it upheld the election of Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Ebea representing Esan South-East Constituency, as winner of the April 24 election.

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Mr. Victor Emuakhagbon and his party had challenged the results and the victory of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and its candidate.

They had prayed the tribunal to nullify the election and declare Emuakhagbon winner.

The tribunal, in its judgment, held that the salient question that needed to be asked was whether or not the election of the said wards and units were substantial in compliance with Electoral Act, adding that in any criminal cases, there must be substantial proof of the allegations and cited the case of Fayemi vs. Obi.