The Benue State Local Government Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja, has delivered judgment on ten petitions challenging the outcomes of the 2024 local government elections.
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In a ruling today, the tribunal upheld the elections of various council chairmen across the state, dismissing all petitions filed against the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) and the elected local government chairmen.
The judgment, read by Honourable Justice Ityoynyiman of the Zone A Panel and Honourable Justice Igyoh of the Zone B Panel, underscored the inviolability of statutory requirements governing electoral disputes. The tribunal stressed that the payment of security costs is a mandatory legal condition for the validity of petitions and cannot be waived under any circumstance.
The justices advised that any request for leniency regarding security costs must be directed to the Benue State House of Assembly through the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, as only legislative amendment can alter the current legal framework.
In addition, the tribunal ruled that the failure of the petitioners to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a necessary party in the proceedings was a fatal flaw. It also found that several petitioners failed to file their pre-trial notices within the stipulated timeframe, a breach considered fundamental to electoral litigation procedures.
On the substantive issues, including claims of unlawful exclusion from the election, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove valid nominations by their respective political parties or demonstrate meaningful participation in the electoral process.
Consequently, the tribunal dismissed all petitions filed against the election of the following chairmen: Hon. Maurice Orwough (Guma), Hon. Joseph Keffi (Makurdi), Raymond Zege Aondoakura (Buruku), Ormin Torsar Victor (Gwer West), Timothy Nyiakura Adi (Gwer East), Barr. Elias Torsar Yina (Gboko), Jonathan Modi (Ukum), Yenge Raphael (Tarka), as well as the elected chairmen of Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas.
Reacting to the judgment, Maurice Orwough, Chairman of Guma LGA and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State Chapter, hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy.
He called on the petitioners and political actors to put aside their differences and work in synergy with the elected officials to deliver good governance and democratic dividends to the grassroots.
“The time for elections is over. It is now time for service and development. I urge all stakeholders to join hands with us to build a better Benue,” Orwough said.
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