APC Clinches Victory in All 23 Benue LG Election Petitions at Appeal Tribunal

The Appeal Tribunal on Local Government Election Petitions in Benue State has upheld the victories of all 23 local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), delivering a significant win for Governor Hyacinth Alia and the ruling party.

The panel, sitting at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja, delivered the unanimous judgment on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. It overturned earlier decisions by the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals, which had nullified APC victories in nine local government areas following the October 2024 elections conducted by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).

The affected LGAs in the earlier rulings included Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, Ushongo, Otukpo, Agatu, Ado, Apa, and Ohimini.

The tribunal dismissed all petitions—mostly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties—for lacking merit and failing to prove substantial non-compliance with electoral laws.

Reacting to the development, Hon. Maurice Orwough, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State chapter, and Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government, described the judgment as a resounding victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the people’s will. He called on all political actors to put the elections behind them and work collectively for grassroots development.

Similarly, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government, Melvin Ejeh, hailed the verdict as a triumph of justice. He extended an olive branch to opposition members, urging them to partner with elected leaders to advance governance at the local level.

The ruling has further solidified the APC’s control of the grassroots political structure in Benue State, setting the tone for future political dynamics in the state.