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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has described the outcome of 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 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 emphasised 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.
However, the results of the election have sparked criticism from opposition leaders. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP/Benue South), rejected the outcome, calling it a “rape of democracy.”
Moro argued that reports from his senatorial district indicated that the election did not hold, with no election materials or BSIEC officials present in many areas.
Moro, in a statement through his Media Adviser, Mr. Emmanuel John, expressed disappointment with Governor Alia, accusing him of failing to uphold transparency and due process, contrary to his campaign promises.
“I expected the governor, as a priest, to push for a paradigm shift by setting a standard for credible elections, rather than copying the flawed practices of the past,” Moro said. He urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party to remain calm, assuring them that all legal avenues would be explored to challenge the election results in court.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of BSIEC, Richard Tombowua, while announcing the results at the commission’s headquarters in Makurdi, stated that the election was free and fair, with no major incidents reported. He noted that five political parties participated in the election, including the APC, PDP, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council and Labour Party Chairman, Ibrahim Idoko, commended BSIEC for its efforts to conduct a peaceful election.
He also acknowledged Governor Alia’s role in providing a level playing field for all parties.
However, he indicated that his party would review the election’s outcome before taking a final position.
Governor Alia, in his statement, urged all stakeholders to work together, stating, “The support for the APC is a clear endorsement of our commitment to progress. Now is the time for all parties to put aside their differences and join hands to build a better Benue.”
