By Andrew Oota
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria(ALGON) Benue state chapter have commended the Supreme Court for awarding victory to Rev.Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia as dully elected Governor of Benue State.
The association, in a statement signed by its chairman Honourable Phillips Achuwa further commended the spirit of the petitioners for their faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man as against resorting to self-help.
Honourable Achuwa who doubles as caretaker chairman for Konshisha local Government of Benue State described the verdict of the apex court as true reflection and endorsement of the people’s will ,adding that “the people of Benue State, across all works of life trooped out , defied all forms of intimidation and casted there votes in favour of Rev. Fr. Haycinth Iormem Alia to be there Governor and they did that because they had the firm believe that he has the capacity , maturity ,competence and world-view to address there challenges,yearnings and aspirations ; so we commend the elections tribunal for doing the needful, the Appeal court for staying with the tribunal and now the supreme court for putting a seal of authentication on that four-year mandate “.
The ALGON chairman expressed confidence that despite a few disgruntled elements seeking selfish benefits , the state Governor will remain focused on delivering on his mandate to lift the people of the state out of the muld and return the state to it’s lost glory ,especially now that the supreme court has validated his mandate .
According to him, “what the apex court did was expected ,because the people of Benue spoke loudly through the ballot, but of course you will always find people who will never be satisfied with the outcome of such a process for whatever reasons and to that extent, we commend the PDP and it’s sponsors for seeking judicial redress . Today this matter has been permanently put to rest and we call on all Benue sons and daughters to support the Governor for the good of all Benue citizens and those living in Benue state.
“This is a victory for democracy , a victory for the All Progressives Congress, a victory for Benue state which yearns for liberation and a victory for Nigeria .
“As ALGON and council chief executives ,we are the closest to the grassroot, we feel their pulse and we shall do all within our reach to ensure that this government succeeds at all levels , we will help our amiable Governor deliver good governance encapsulated in quality development , accountability and transparency at all times .
“As far as the constitution and constitutional democracy is concerned, elections are over and all hands must be on the deck to support our Governor to succeed . He assumed office on May 29th ,2023 and the evidences of his pragmatic, purposeful and result-oriented administration are everywhere for all to see and ,it is just proper that we all join him in fixing our beloved state and purge ourselves of canvassing self interest and tendencies that have become responsible for the backwardness of Benue state over the years , the days when financial sleaze and malfeasance attained a geometric progression are over . This is a new dawn and we cannot fall to the antics of unpatriotic elements throwing tantrums and making provocative comments and behaviour that serves them and their tasty-interests at the expense of the majority of the Benue people”.
The supreme court has dismissed the appeal brought to it by the candidate of the People’s Democracy Party ,PDP Honourable Titus Uba challenging the election of Governor Haycinth Iormem Alia of the All Progressives Congress in the March, 2023 governorship elections in Benue state.
Both the elections tribunal and Appeal courts had awarded victory to the APC candidate.
