From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State chapter of Labour Party, LP, has faulted the decision of the State Election Tribunal that sat in Abuja and declared two (2) factions of the All Progressives Congress, APC as winners of local government elections.
The party at a press conference held at the NUJ House, Makurdi on Thursday stated categorically that the two conflicting judgments delivered by the Election Tribunal differs all established legal precedents and appears more like a politically motivated power sharing deal by two factions of APC.
State Chairman of Labour Party Comrade Idoko Otene maintained that sequel to the LG Election which held on the 5th October, 2024, the party had raised concern over the fact that two factions of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Benue state presented two set of list to Benue state Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC.
He said the caretaker committee of APC led by Benjamin Omale presented a list of nominated candidates from their faction as well as a faction led by Austin Agada.
“As you are all aware, our great party, Labour Party also nominated and presented both councillorship and chairmanship candidates in the said election.
“Since there was a legal battle at High Court, Makurdi instituted by Austin Agada led state working committee of APC against the National Working Committee of the party which sought to dissolve them and constitute a caretaker committee, we called on BSIEC to proceed with the elections without candidates from APC who was yet to determine the legitimate and competent state EXCO to present lawfully nominated candidates for election. This early warning was however, ignored by BSIEC as they unilaterally accepted a list by the caretaker committee led by Benjamin Omale.”
