By Amos Aar
THE LABOUR Party (LP) in Benue State has rejected the judgements of the Benue State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal, labelling them as inconsistent and politically influenced.
The party insists its candidates should be declared winners, having secured the second-highest votes in the disputed areas.
The LP State Executive Committee voiced its grievances during a press briefing on Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre in Makurdi, following the tribunal’s decisions on the October 5, 2024, local government elections.
State Chairman of LP, Comrade Ibrahim Itodo, speaking on behalf of the party, raised concerns over the participation of two rival factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the polls.
He accused the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) of unlawfully recognizing both the Benjamin Omale-led caretaker committee and the Austin Agada-led faction despite pending litigation.
“Despite our warnings, BSIEC accepted candidate lists from the caretaker committee. Our candidates fulfilled all necessary procedures — purchasing forms, undergoing screening, and securing voter endorsements as stipulated by the 2024 election guidelines,” Itodo stated.
He noted that LP candidates emerged as runners-up in all contested local governments, with some results challenged at the tribunal.
However, the tribunal’s decision to declare both APC factions winners in different councils — nine for the Agada group and 14 for the Omale faction — drew sharp criticism.
Itodo described the verdict as a “political power-sharing deal” that violates legal principles, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in C.P.P v. Ombugadu (2013), which bars candidates from being declared winners if they did not fully participate in the electoral process.
“It is unacceptable that candidates who neither bought nomination forms nor underwent screening were declared winners,” he said, referring to alleged non-compliance by the Agada faction.
He also referenced similar cases in Zamfara and Plateau states, where courts invalidated outcomes due to intra-party disputes and awarded victories to the second-placed parties.
Expressing optimism in the Election Appeal Tribunal, Itodo urged for a reversal of the judgments to uphold justice.
“We remain steadfast in our pursuit of fairness and democracy in Benue,” he said, thanking supporters for their solidarity.
When questioned, Itodo clarified that the LP did not present candidates in only three LGAs: Tarka, Ushongo, and Katsina-Ala.
The party has vowed to continue legal efforts to reclaim what it calls its “rightful victories.”
