Makurdi, Oct. 7, 2024 (TheGavel) – The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called for the immediate cancellation of the recently concluded Local Government (LG) elections in Benue State. The state APGA Chairman, Mr. Joseph Ogli, made this demand during an interaction with newsmen in Makurdi on Monday.
Ogli expressed concern over the results, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all 23 local government areas. He described the outcome as an embarrassment to the state and to Governor Hyacinth Alia. Ogli alleged that over N6 billion had been allocated to the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) for conducting the polls, which he claimed were not properly held.
He further stated that political candidates were required to pay between N250,000 and N500,000 outside of screening fees, with the money collected from different parties. Despite initial confidence in the governor, who is also a clergy member, Ogli said APGA believed the elections would be fair and transparent, but was disappointed with the result.
“We were shocked that a clergy could conduct an election in which APGA, or any other political party, did not win a single councillor position, even in areas where we have significant popularity. This is a setback for our democracy and a miscarriage for the third arm of government,” Ogli remarked.
He accused the BSIEC chairman of conducting an election that undermined the governor’s integrity and called on all advocates of democracy to speak out against what he termed an “afternoon robbery.”
APGA’s chairmanship candidate for Agatu Local Government, Mrs. Winifred Azumi, plans to seek legal redress in court. Ogli urged the party’s supporters to remain calm while the legal process unfolds. (NAN)
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