The political atmosphere in Benue State has been tense over the possible outcome of the Governorship Election Tribunal set to deliver judgment on the 2023 governorship elections in the state today, Saturday, September 23.
Recall that, the three-member panel led by Justice Ibrahim Karaye had earlier adjourned the matter for judgment after final addresses by counsels.
The perceived tension is within supporters and members of the two main political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
It would be recalled that the candidate of the PDP, Titus Uba and the party filed a petition challenging the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC in the March poll.
They asked the tribunal to nullify the election, claiming the candidates did not comply with the electoral law and purportedly submitted false documents to Independent National Electoral Commission.
There is widespread hope within the camp of the opposition PDP as they have strong conviction that the tribunal will give them justice because of the tight evidence of wrongdoing they tendered against the candidates of the ruling APC.
According to Daily Post, on Friday in Makurdi, the State caital, most supporters of Uba were upbeat and confident of winning the case while many supporters of Alia were optimistic that APC would have a favourable judgement.
Many members of the opposition PDP have arrived in the state capital hoping their party will win its case at the tribunal while others are sceptical because of the reach and incumbent privileges of the ruling party in the state.
The security agencies in the state have restricted vehicular traffic around the court where the judgement will be delivered.
