Victory for APC as Appeal Panel Upholds Elections of All 23 Benue LG Chairmen
In a landmark judgment that is already stirring discussions across Nigeria's political landscape, the Appeal Panel on Local Government Election Petitions for Benue State has upheld the election victories of all 23 Local Government Chairmen who contested and won under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. This major decision was delivered on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja.
This verdict not only cements the APC’s control across Benue State’s grassroots political structure but also overturns a significant number of earlier rulings by the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals, which had previously nullified APC’s wins in nine local government areas. These affected LGAs include:
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Vandeikya
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Konshisha
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Kwande
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Ushongo
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Otukpo
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Agatu
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Ado
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Apa
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Ohimini
Let’s break down what this means for the people of Benue, the APC, the opposition parties—particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—and Nigeria’s evolving democratic process.
Background: Controversial LG Elections in Benue State
The original elections in question were held in October 2024 and conducted by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC). While APC candidates were declared winners in all 23 local governments, the results were quickly challenged by opposition parties, mainly the PDP.
The PDP and other opposition parties alleged widespread irregularities, claiming that the elections were marred by:
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Voter suppression
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Non-compliance with electoral guidelines
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Result manipulation
As a result, the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals took up the petitions and in an unprecedented move, nullified the APC’s victories in nine local councils.
This tribunal ruling was celebrated by the opposition as a step toward restoring electoral justice. However, the APC immediately appealed the decision, arguing that the Tribunal's ruling was flawed and unsupported by concrete evidence.
Appeal Panel's Judgment: APC Victories Stand
Fast forward to June 3, 2025, the Appeal Panel sitting in Abuja released its final judgment. After thoroughly reviewing the petitions, responses, and submitted evidence, the panel ruled in favor of the APC.
In its verdict, the Appeal Panel dismissed all the petitions filed by the PDP and other opposition groups, declaring them “lacking in merit” and “not supported by sufficient evidence of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.”
This decision effectively restores APC’s full control across all 23 local government councils in Benue State.
Legal Significance and Democratic Implications
This ruling carries significant legal and political implications:
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Legal Clarity: The panel’s ruling helps to clarify the standards of evidence required to overturn election results in local government elections. It reinforces the idea that allegations must be supported by concrete, verifiable evidence.
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Strengthening Electoral Institutions: The Appeal Panel’s decision signals a growing institutional strength and independence of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial bodies, showing that due process still plays a critical role.
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Victory for Grassroots Democracy: For APC supporters, the ruling is being seen as a victory for grassroots democracy. Many believe the initial tribunal ruling disrupted the democratic process by nullifying victories without enough proof.
Reactions: APC Celebrates, Opposition in Disbelief
Melvin Ejeh, Agatu LG Chairman, Reacts
One of the most vocal responses came from Melvin Ejeh, the elected Chairman of Agatu Local Government. Ejeh expressed his satisfaction with the appellate ruling, calling it a “triumph of justice and democracy.”
“This decision confirms what the people of Agatu already knew—that they voted freely and fairly. This is not just a personal victory, but a victory for democracy in Nigeria,”
— Melvin Ejeh, Chairman, Agatu Local Government
Ejeh went further by extending a hand of reconciliation to the opposition, urging political unity for the sake of development and good governance.
“I appeal to my brothers and sisters in the opposition to put aside politics and join hands with us to develop Agatu and other parts of Benue. The time for politicking is over. Now is the time for leadership and progress,”
— Melvin Ejeh
This spirit of reconciliation could prove pivotal in calming political tensions in the state and fostering collaboration across party lines.
The Road Ahead: What This Means for Benue and Nigeria
1. APC’s Strength in Benue Solidified
With this ruling, the All Progressives Congress has now solidified its control of the entire local government administrative structure in Benue. This will significantly enhance the party’s grassroots influence, particularly ahead of future state and national elections.
2. PDP’s Setback and Strategic Rethink
For the Peoples Democratic Party, this is a clear legal and political setback. However, it also presents a chance for the party to re-evaluate its legal strategy and reconnect with grassroots supporters.
The PDP will need to engage more deeply with voters, improve its internal cohesion, and perhaps most importantly, strengthen its evidence-gathering mechanisms before challenging election outcomes in court.
3. Legal Precedent Set
The ruling could serve as a precedent for other election petition cases across Nigeria, especially concerning what constitutes “sufficient evidence” in proving electoral misconduct.
This precedent may discourage frivolous petitions in the future and push political actors to ensure greater transparency during elections.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in Local Governance
The decision of the Appeal Panel on Local Government Election Petitions to uphold APC’s victories across all 23 LGAs in Benue State is not just a political win for the ruling party—it is a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
It emphasizes the importance of following due process and providing concrete evidence when challenging electoral outcomes. It also encourages elected officials like Melvin Ejeh to seek inclusive governance, where even the opposition has a role to play in the development of local communities.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: grassroots governance in Benue State is now firmly in APC’s hands, and the focus must now shift from politics to performance.
Stay tuned to NaijaRush for more updates on this and other critical political developments in Nigeria.
