By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—The defeated All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate during the Benue South Senatorial District election, Mr. Daniel Onje has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of allegedly denying him the right to inspect the materials used in the conduct of the election, thereby frustrating his petition against the election of the Senate President, Senator David Mark..

Onje is challenging the re-election of  Senator Mark at the Legislative Houses Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi.

At the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, his counsel,  Adetunji Oso told the tribunal that, “we had applied since April 14, 2015 for inspection of materials used during the election, but regrettably, INEC has not given us the desired cooperation.”

He sought the court’s order  to compel the commission to allow his client access to the materials.

In his response, counsel to INEC, Godwin Manswa,  complained that owing to the enormity of the materials involved, it had been hectic to make them available to the petitioner but promised that the  commission would avail the petitioner with the needed materials.

In her ruling, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu  adjourned further hearing on the matter to June  12, 2015.

Meantime, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam has withdrawn his petition challenging the election of Senator Barnabas Gemade.

Counsel to Suswam, Mr Andrew Wombo who sought the withdrawal through an application told the court that,  “my client has decided to withdraw the case in the interest of peace and harmony of the society.”

Wombo then prayed the tribunal to grant the request without any costs