By National Record
THE NIGERIA Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Benue, Makurdi chapel, on Tuesday honoured the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Mr Richard Terlumun Tombowua, with the ‘Defender of Democracy’ award.
Comrade Paul Mandeun, Chairman of Radio Benue NUJ Chapel, presented the award to Mr Tombowua on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the commission’s headquarters in Makurdi, with eulogies, saying the BSIEC boss offered “superlative conduct” at the recent local government council election.
This is despite complaints from across party divide, especially the state’s National Assembly members for regarding the lack of transparency and integrity of the October 5 council polls.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had also challenged the conduct of the election, alleging widespread irregularities.
“Let us remind you and your team that this recognition and honour for this uncommon performance would not be complete if you have not received this prestigious award from NUJ Radio Benue Chapel.
“The reasons are simple! We have been watching the Commission before you came on board, when this exercise could not hold after a long preparation.
“It is on record that you came on board on August 3 this year and it took you barely 3 months to settle down to conduct the most peaceful Local Government Polls since establishment of BSIEC.
“We are here to inform you that we have watched keenly all your electoral processes beginning with your stakeholders’ engagement, release of timetable and guidelines, regulation of political parties, recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff used in the election, distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials.
“It was under our watch that materials were deployed; we were at the Polling Units not just Local Government Areas with a critical eye looking out for compliance to standard of conducting election in an ideal democratic setting.
“The Union is here today to affirm and pass its verdict after monitoring all the processes before, during and after the Local Government Council Elections that you were not found wanting and also not short of best practices anywhere in the world,” Mr Mandeun, NUJ’s Radio Benue Chapel chairman, stated.
Tombowua expressed gratitude for the award, highlighting the commission’s commitment to transparency and independence, stressing that the election was conducted peacefully, with all processes placed in the open, and that journalists were actively involved throughout.
The BSIEC chairman also acknowledged the support of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the unwavering commitment of his team, reiterating his dedication to upholding democratic principles and ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
“As I assumed office here, I am telling you all, before you and God, that nobody has interfered in our processes. The successes, the governor has a hand because he gave us enormous support, and by His Excellency’s support, if there is any fault, we should be held responsible.
“The journalists who are on the ground in Benue State, who have been watching, who have been monitoring, who have been interveners, have just given us a good verdict that we have indeed done a wonderful job.
“So, I am surprised to hear some other people who are not here at home, before, during and after the elections, making some comments that elections were not held in Benue State.
“Elections were held in Benue State and as you are aware, the Benue State electoral law amendment 20 years ago has disqualified the Chairman and the Commissioners and the Secretary from participating in the election.
“On the day of the election, all that was required of us was to mobilise both the non-sensitive and sensitive materials and send them to the various local government areas through the electoral offices, make pumping of signatures, and that was done,” the BSIEC chairman stated while responding to his award.
