Senator-elect, Benue North Senatorial District, Mr Gabriel Suswam, of the PDP has appealed to one of his opponents, Senator Barnabas Gemade of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to stop whining and accept defeat in good faith.
Suswam told journalists on Monday at the INEC office in Makurdi that Gemade “has no basis to complain against me as he was not even my closest rival in the contest”.
“Gemade was not even the one that came next to me according to the result. He came a distant third. I congratulated Gemade when he defeated me in 2015. So, I expect him to follow suit by congratulating me,” he said.
Gemade, who was also at the INEC office earlier, told journalists that he was there to complain against the conduct of the elections.
He said the polls were marred by irregularities and accused former Suswam of allegedly using thugs to manipulate the process.
He alleged that the former governor resorted to the use of militia groups to rig the elections allegedly supported by government officials.
”It was only in Konshisha and Ukum Local Government Areas that they were unable to perpetuate the act of rigging.
”They were unable to carry out the act in those places because our supporters prevented them from achieving their aim.
”But in other places they had a field day. I came to lodge my petition with the INEC,” he said.
INEC had earlier announced Suswam of PDP as winner, over Gemade of the SDP and two others.
