The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal affirming the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP made this known hours after the tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the state capital, upheld Alia’s election and dismissed its petition for lack of merit.

In a statement Saturday by its state Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the party said it would seek legal redress at the Court of Appeal.

The PDP said a review with its team of lawyers indicated that the judgment did not meet the requirements of substantive justice.

It further argued that the verdict was not in alignment with extant electoral laws, guidelines and regulations

The party said it has accordingly directed its lawyers to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja within the timeframe specified by law.

The statement reads: “Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects the judgment passed by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal dismissing the party’s petition and that of its Governorship Candidate, Engr. Titus Tyoapine Uba, challenging the return of Hyacinth Alia as Governor of the state at the 2023 elections.

“After a review of the judgment with its team of lawyers, PDP believes that it does not meet the requirements of substantive justice and is not in alignment with extant electoral laws, guidelines and regulations.

“The party has accordingly directed its lawyers to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja within the timeframe specified by law.

“Our great party urges its teeming supporters across the state to be calm and of good cheer in the faith that though the walk to justice may be long, the goal of reclaiming the Governorship mandate will surely be achieved in the end.”