The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urgently requested the cancellation of the recently held Local Government elections in Benue State.
Mr. Joseph Ogli, the Chairman of APGA in Benue, made this demand during a press conference in Makurdi on Monday. He expressed dismay at the results, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning all 23 local government areas, calling it a disgrace to both the state and Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Ogli highlighted that over N6 billion was allocated to the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) for the elections, which, according to him, ultimately did not take place as anticipated.
He further alleged that candidates were coerced into paying additional fees ranging from N250,000 to N500,000, aside from the standard screening fees required by various political parties.
“APGA encouraged its members to participate in the local government elections, believing that with a clergyman as governor, there would be a fair environment for all parties to compete,” Ogli stated. “We are disheartened to find that under his leadership, not a single councillor from APGA or any other political party could emerge victorious in areas where we had significant support.”
He described the situation as a setback for democracy and a failure for the third arm of government. “We urge all advocates for democracy to denounce this ‘afternoon robbery’ that the BSIEC chairman has perpetrated, undermining the governor’s integrity,” Ogli added.
Furthermore, he announced that the party’s candidate for the Agatu Local Government chairmanship, Mrs. Winifred Azumi, plans to pursue legal action regarding the election results and encouraged party supporters to remain calm during this process.
