Polls Reflect People’s Will, Benue Elders Declare

A group, Benue Elders Defending Democracy in Nigeria (BEDDING), has said except in a few voting units in Benue State, the elections reflected the true will of the people of Benue State.

The elders also said the polls also reflected a regime and generational change in the politics of Benue State.

Chairman, BEDDING, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher who disclosed this in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja also commended INEC in Benue under the leadership of Prof. Sam Egwu for successfully, impartially, and efficiently carrying out its mandate in Benue State through the enfranchisement of the people of Benue State.

He said during the polls most Benue votes mattered.

The statement reads in part: “We congratulate the newly elected and re-elected Senators and National Assembly members.

“We congratulate the newly elected Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC and State Assembly Members elect.  The Benue people have opted for a new political order with high expectations.

“We call on those that lost in the elections to exercise a deep sense of patriotism, humility, maturity, and self-control. Winning and losing elections make politicians stronger and are both sides of the political coin. We are brothers and sisters.”

He, however, cautioned against the resort to the courts and lawyers after the electorates have spoken.

He said the Elders can no longer tolerate the wasteful spending of Benue’s meagre resources at Election Tribunals and advise that we scale down quickly the spate of litigations associated with the elections.

“We congratulate the APC Party for fighting a good fight and for its resounding victory. We caution the victors to commence the act of rebuilding Benue State by celebrating the victory in moderation without hubris, triumphalism, or taunt.

“We have all won and lost and must now clean the political Augean Stable in order to douse the political tension and heat generated by the campaigns and elections,” he said.

He added that all abusive political songs, videos, and jingles should be stowed away for another four years or forever.