AKANBI, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Consequent upon the promulgation of the State Government (Basic Constitutional and Transitional Provision Decree 1991 No.50) hereinafter referred to as Decree 50) elections were held on 14th December 1991 throughout the Federation to elect the Governors and members of the various Houses of Assembly. In Benue State, the two contestants for the exalted office of the Governor of the State were Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu who contested on the platform of the Social Democratic Party and Professor Ignatius Ayua who was the nominated candidate for the National Republic Convention. When the result of the election was announced, Rev. Fr. Adasu emerged the winner and was accordingly declared the Governor of Benue State by the National Electoral Commission the body charged with the responsibility for conducting elections throughout the country.
Being dissatisfied with the result so declared, the unsuccessful candidate, Professor Ignatius Ayua, carried his …