As APGA Calls For Cancellation
..APC Did Not present Sworn In Candidates To The People For Election- Ihomun
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State has rejected the outcome of the Saturday’s Local Government elections in the state and called for its outright cancellation.
The PDP in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tim Nyor, alleged that the election was characterized by irregularities, such as the non-deployment of election officials or electoral materials to polling units across the state.
The party said it is saddened at what it described as brazen display of lack of integrity by the State Governor and the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, alleging that it reneged on its earlier promises to guarantee the electorate their right to exercise their franchise.
The PDP further alleged that both the Governor and BSIEC have failed the Benue people and violated their sworn oath to uphold the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
The party posited that there was no local government polls held in the state, alleging that what transpired was a mockery of democracy, a charade arranged to deceive the people.
PDP posited that the abuse of power and the manipulation of the electoral process cannot be tolerated in any democratic setting, and demanded that what it described the sham exercise be cancelled by Governor Hyacinth Alia and a fresh exercise be conducted in line with extant electoral laws and in conformity of integrity of the electoral process, failing which it will explore legal options available to the party.
The statement emphasised that the PDP is the party of choice for the Benue electorate and under a free and fair contest, the people will choose the PDP over the APC, adding that it remains committed to fighting for democratic processes that uphold the values of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Also, a chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Saturday’s local government election in Benue State, Ben Ebije, has rejected the result declared for his Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, Ebije, insisted that the election was not held in his local government and called on the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll.
He expressed disappointment after visiting all 13 council wards, where he had campaigned vigorously and felt confident of victory based on the strong turnout of voters.
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“He called on the Benue State Government and the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission to adequately prepare and reschedule the election.
Also the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called for the immediate cancellation of the just concluded Local Government (LG) polls in Benue.
The Benue Chairman of APGA, Mr. Joseph Ogli, made the call in an interaction with newsmen on Monday in Makurdi.
Ogli said that APC winning all 23 local government areas in the election was an embarrassment to the state and to Gov. Hyacinth Alia.
He said over N6 billion was released to the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) for the conduct of the election that did not hold.
According to him, candidates were forced to pay between N250, 000 and N500, 000 outside screening fees, which different political parties paid.
“APGA in the state encouraged its’ members to contest for the local government election on the ground that Benue has a clergy and a priest as Governor.
“We believed that he would provide a level playing field for all political parties to contest in state.
“We were shocked that a clergy can conduct an election that APGA or any other political party cannot win a councillorship slot even with our popularity.
“This is purely a setback for our democracy and a miscarriage for the third arm of government.
“We are calling on all lovers of democracy to speak against this “afternoon robbery” called an election by the BSIEC chairman who has succeeded in destroying the integrity of the Governor,” Ogli said.
Ogli said the party candidate, Mrs. Winifred Azumi, the chairmanship candidate for Agatu Local Government area, would seek legal redress in court and called on their supporters to remain calm.
Meanwhile, the state publicity secretary of the Agada led faction of the party, Daniel Ihomun says the candidates Governor Alia Has sworn in were not presented to the people for election by the party and wondered where the governor got them.
He also faulted the hesty manner which the alleged elected chairman were sworn in stressing that it called for suspicion that something was wrong.
He stated this Monday on Agate Radio audience participatory program, perspective.
But Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has described the outcome of the Saturday’s local government elections as a testament to the political maturity and democratic values of the people of the state.
The Governor’s reaction followed the announcement by the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Richard Tombowua, on Sunday, that the All Progressives Congress won all 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship positions in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, Governor Alia expressed his appreciation to the people of Benue for their alleged peaceful conduct, active participation, and overwhelming support for the APC candidates.
Commending the orderly conduct of the polls, the Governor remarked, “The successful conduct of these elections, free from violence, is a testament to our collective resolve to uphold the values of peace and unity that are crucial to our progress as a state.”
He emphasized that the support given to the APC reflected the people’s trust in his administration’s direction and their alignment with his vision for the future of Benue.
He also assured residents of his government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises, building a prosperous state where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.
Governor Alia congratulated the winners of the election and called on those who did not succeed to support his administration’s efforts to advance the state.
