All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has vowed to ensure the nine local government chairmen sacked by the Tribunal are brought back.
The APC caretaker chairman, Dr. Benjamin Omale, disclosed this during a press conference in Makurdi in reaction to the judgement of the Local Government Election Tribunal Sitting in Abuja which sacked nine out of the 23 APC council chairmen.
The council chairmen sacked by the Tribunal include Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, Ushongo, Otukpo, Agatu, Ado, Apa, and Ohimini.
Omale assured that the party will pursue the reinstatement of the council chairmen through constitutional and legal means.
He said the APC strictly adhered to all electoral guidelines as stipulated by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), and fully complied with the Local Government Electoral Law as amended by the Benue State House of Assembly in conducting the LG elections.
According to him, “due process was followed in nominating our candidates, which led to the overwhelming victory recorded across the state and as a party, we assure you that we will exhaust every constitutional and legal avenue available to seek redress for the judgement.
“We view the judgments against our Nine elected Council Chairmen as a Clear miscarriage of justice. Because those whom the Tribunal declared winners of the said election in the affected LG were not even cleared by BISEC to participate in the election. However, we are confident that the appellate process will correct these wrongs”
He said the party’s legal department has commenced the process of filing appeals, and the team’s seasoned legal experts will present compelling arguments before the Benue State Local Government Elections Appeal Panel.
“We remain optimistic of victory for all our duly elected chairmen. In the meantime,we urge all our Council Chairmen to remain focused and continue to discharge their responsibilities diligently in their respective Local Government Secretariat.
“Continue to prioritize the welfare of our people, ensure the security of lives and property, and align with the developmental strides of our visionary Governor, whose laudable projects are transforming our local government areas.
“We want to also appreciate some of the Chairmen of the Local Government Election Tribunal especially those of Zone A and B for doing a thorough Job by their judgements. Even with the threats in their lives they remained courageous and refused to be compromised,” he said.
