The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja Thursday affirmed the election of Samuel Ortom as governor of Benue State, dismissing an appeal by Emmanuel Jime, candidate of the APC in the last Benue State governorship election challenging the outcome.

Galaxy’s Godfrey Eshiemoghie reports that the appellate court further awarded the cost of N150, 000 against the appellants, Jime and his party, the APC.

The appeal is a fallout of the judgment of the Benue State Election Petition Tribunal decision of 7^th October declaring the incumbent state governor as the winner of the elections.

However, the appellate court dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Ortom, awarding the cost of N250, 000 against him.

The appeal in question had been from the election Tribunal stage, challenging the initial petition.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of PDP politicians present at the court for the hearing has hailed the judgment