The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Dennis Guda as Chairman of Vandekiya Local Government Area, delivering a scathing rebuke of judicial disobedience and electoral interference.
In a landmark ruling, the tribunal condemned the actions of Justices Igoche and Kume, accusing them of grossly defying court orders and undermining the authority of the judiciary. The tribunal described their conduct as a “gross affront to judicial authority,” warning against a pattern of disregard for lawful rulings.
The tribunal also sharply criticized the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), describing it as a “meddlesome interloper” with no legal basis to interfere in party affairs. The court held that BSIEC overstepped its bounds in matters concerning the internal structure of political parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reaffirming the leadership of Austin Agada as the lawful head of the APC in Benue State, the tribunal declared that only candidates produced under his leadership were validly nominated for the local government elections. Consequently, all actions taken by the government-installed Caretaker Committee were declared null and void.
The tribunal ordered Governor Hyacinth Alia to swear in the legitimate chairman within 14 days. Should the governor fail to act within the stipulated time, the Chief Judge of Benue State has been directed to appoint any High Court judge to carry out the swearing-in.
Once installed, the new chairman is also expected to swear in all duly elected councillors aligned with the lawful APC structure.
Additionally, the tribunal imposed a N2 million cost against BSIEC and the second respondent for their unlawful involvement in the electoral process. It further ordered that the judgment be officially served on the governor to ensure full compliance with the directive.
The ruling marks a significant moment in Benue’s local government politics, reinforcing the supremacy of court orders and reasserting judicial oversight over political and electoral processes.
