Akume loses senatorial seat to PDP candidate

A former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, who represents Benue North West Senatorial District, has lost his seat in the Nigerian Senate to a member of the House of Representatives member, Emmanuel Orker Jev.

Senator Akume contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and polled 115,422 votes in the election held on Saturday, February 23. Jev of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 157,726 votes.

INEC’s returning officer for Benue North-West senatorial district, Nicodemus Ochani declared the candidate of the PDP, Orke Jev winner of the contest.

Also the PDP candidate, Benjamin Mzondu won the Guma/Makurdi House of Representatives ticket with 50,454 votes cast while the APC candidate Terhide Utaan polled 37,743 votes.

Commenting on Jev’s victory, Benue State governor Samuel Ortom said he has fulfilled his promise to Benue people to retire Senator Akume, noting what happened is the will of God.

According to him, “Have I said anything and not done it. I work with God and He has always seen me through. Anyone who plays God, is bound to end in doom. God can’t share His glory with anyone.”

“This is how it would be during the Governorship Election. The tenure of a Governor is eight years and I will have my eight years. Just watch and see,” Governor Ortom said.