AKUME & ANOR
V.
LIM & ORS
UZO NDUKWE-ANYANWU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Elections into the Senate were held nationwide on the 21st April, 2007. Seven (7) candidates sponsored by various Political Parties contested the election into the Benue North West Senatorial District. At the conclusion of the election, George Akume who was sponsored by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) herein after referred to as the 1st Appellant was declared winner on 22nd April, 2007 having scored a total of 532,671 votes and was returned.
Being dissatisfied Chief Dr. Simon Azeghedse Lim sponsored by Action Congress (AC) hereinafter referred to as 1st Respondent filed a petition before the National Assembly/Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal holden at Makurdi Benue State on 22nd May, 2007.
(2) ISSUE TWO
Whether the refusal of the Tribunal to dismiss the petition is valid in law when the Petitioners failed to comply with paragraphs 3, 6(2) and (4) of the Election Tribunal and Practice Directions, 2007. (…