Following the Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, which reaffirmed the autonomy of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and prohibited state governors from dissolving democratically elected council officials or appointing caretaker committees, State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) have been conducting local government elections across various states since August.
On Saturday, October 5, local government elections were held in Benue, Rivers, Plateau, and Akwa Ibom states. While results have been announced and winners sworn in, Senator Abba Moro, the Minority Whip of the Federal Republic, has criticized the elections held in some states, particularly in Benue, labeling them as a “sham.”
In Benue, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Richard Tombowua, announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates won all positions in the October 5 local government elections. Tombowua reported that the election was conducted smoothly, stating, “From the results, the All Progressives Congress won all 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship positions contested in the state.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed his appreciation for the active participation of citizens in the elections, describing the outcome as a true reflection of the people’s will. He praised the conduct of the elections, emphasizing that they were free from violence and demonstrated the maturity of the state’s democracy. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, Governor Alia stated, “Your commitment to exercising your franchise in a peaceful and civil manner is commendable and reflects the maturity of our democracy.”
Despite these positive assertions, Senator Moro’s remarks cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process, highlighting ongoing concerns about transparency and fairness in local government elections across Nigeria.