Crushing Defeat For PDP As APC Wins All 23 LG Appeals In Landmark Tribunal RulingThe Appeal Panel on Local Government Election Petitions in Benue State has affirmed the election of all 23 local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a sweeping legal victory for Governor Hyacinth Alia and the ruling party.
The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja, overturned previous decisions by the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals. Those tribunals had earlier annulled APC victories in nine councils after the October 2024 local polls conducted by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).
The local governments affected by the initial nullifications included Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, Ushongo, Otukpo, Agatu, Ado, Apa, and Ohimini.
However, the appellate panel dismissed the petitions—mostly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties—on the grounds of lacking merit and failing to provide convincing evidence of electoral malpractice or non-compliance with the law.
Reacting to the ruling, Agatu LGA Chairman, Melvin Ejeh, praised the judgment as a win for justice and democracy. He called for unity, urging opposition members to collaborate with elected officials in advancing grassroots development and good governance.
