The All Progressive Congress must hold new primaries in 11 local government areas of the state to select its nominee for governor in the upcoming general election, according to an order from the Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, on Monday.
Judges Mohammed Danjuma, Justice Abraham Biobelle, and Justice Ibrahim Jauro were present during the decision-making process.
The court agreed with Prof. Shija’s claim that there was no valid primary held on May 27, 2022, by the APC for the nomination of its governorship candidate, in which Alia was declared the winner, according to Justice Danjuma, who read the judgement in the appeal filed by one of the governorship candidates, Professor Terhemba Shija.Information Guide Nigeria
The appeal panel report, which met after the primary to hear the candidates’ concerns, was among the materials Professor Terhemba Shija submitted for evaluation, according to Justice Danjuma, who made recommendations that the primary election was invalid.JAMB portal
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However, the court agreed with the APC that the June 9, 2022 rerun, which was held in 12 LGAs of the state, was still very valid.
“Yes, I have seen that the APC did not conduct a valid primary on May 27, 2022, for reasons the appeal panel ordered a fresh election that was conducted on June 9, 2022, in some local government.
“In the interest of justice, I can not allow those voters in the remaining 11 local government areas to be disenfranchised, therefore, the APC should go back and conduct an election in eleven local government areas within 14 days and the Independent National Electoral Commission should recognise the winner after adding both earlier primary results,” the ruling read.NYSC portal
Gboko, Gwer- East, Gwer-West, Guma, Katsina, Logo Makurdi, Otukpo, Ukum,Tarka, and Vandeikya are the local government areas where the court ordered new primary elections.
The rerun was held in the local government areas (LGAs) of Buruku, Kwande, Agatu, Konshisha, Ogbadibo, Ushongo, Oju Okpokwu, Ado, Ohimini Obi, and Apa.
The APC governorship candidate, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, urged supporters to maintain their composure and said that he was respecting the court’s decision in his response.
“We are law-abiding citizens and respect the judgment of the court. We appeal to our teeming supporters to remain calm, we are still going to be on the ballot. We are all in this for the greatness of our state and God.
Also reacting the state chairman of the party, Austin Agada, urged the supporters to remain calm, saying the people had already spoken, “we believe that the voice of people is the voice of God.”JAMB Result
