The Appeal Panel on Local Government Election Petitions for Benue State, sitting at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja, has upheld the elections of all 23 local government chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant victory for Governor Hyacinth Alia and the ruling party.
The panel’s verdict, delivered on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, overturned earlier decisions by the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals, which had nullified APC victories in nine local government areas following the October 2024 elections conducted by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).
The affected local councils included Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, Ushongo, Otukpo, Agatu, Ado, Apa, and Ohimini.
In its ruling, the appellate panel dismissed the petitions filed primarily by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition groups, citing a lack of merit and insufficient evidence of non-compliance with electoral laws.
Reacting to the judgment, Chairman of Agatu Local Government, Melvin Ejeh, described the outcome as a triumph of justice and democracy. He extended a hand of reconciliation to the opposition, calling on them to work collaboratively with elected leaders to deliver good governance and development at the grassroots level.
