MAKURDI – Senator representing Benue South senatorial district, who is also the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro has drawn flakes from the State Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode, over his statement describing last Saturday’s election in the state was a ‘charade.’
Recall that the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of all the 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship positions in the elections.
But in a statement made available to Daily Independent in Makurdi on Monday, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary (D-CPS), in the office of the Deputy Governor, Ior Ikyereve said Barr Ode, described the remarks by Moro, as “uncomplimentary.”
In the statement earlier signed by Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader and issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday, Moro who rejected the outcome of last Saturday’s polls described the election as a sham and an insult to democracy.
He alleged that reports from polling units across Benue South senatorial district, indicate that election did not hold as election materials and officials of BSIEC were no where to be seen, except in the premises of APC leaders where ballots were thumb-printed for their candidates.
Moro expressed disappointment in the governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for not standing by the truth and due process as promised during his electioneering campaign, adding that he expects “the governor, as a priest, to push for a paradigm shift by doing what’s right, and not referencing and copying what was wrongly done in the past.
“Democracy was fiercely fought for, with some people paying the supreme price, and states that anti-democratic forces will not be allowed to destroy the system.
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Therefore, he enjoined members of the PDP to “remain calm as everything legally possible would be done to challenge the charade in a court of competent jurisdiction and ensure that a free, fair and credible election that will afford the electorate the opportunity to choose their leaders at the local government level is conducted.”
But in his reaction, to the statement by Moro, Ikyereve said, “Our attention has been drawn to the recent uncomplimentary remarks credited to the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, regarding the LG elections held in Benue State on the 5th of October, 2024. In light of the above it is important to set the record straight and highlight the remarkable achievements of the process, as well as the positive changes ushered in by the current administration under Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“Contrary to Senator Moro’s claims, the elections to the Local Government Councils were conducted transparently and in strict accordance with democratic principles and extant electoral laws. The conduct of these elections reflects the commitment to uphold the integrity of our democratic institutions, ensuring that the voices of the people were heard loud and clear.
“It is noteworthy that Senator Moro’s party has had its own history of hijacking local government elections in the past. It is surprising that he would expect the current administration, under Governor Hyacinth Alia, to engage in such undemocratic practices.
“The Alia administration is committed to a foundational transformation of governance in Benue State, moving away from past injustices towards a more honourable political culture.
“Furthermore, we call on Senator Moro to refrain from politicizing the divine calling of our esteemed Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
“The overwhelming support exhibited by the people of Benue South for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent local government elections underscores the electorate’s happiness with the direction of the state. Voters in Benue South have chosen quality candidates who truly represent their interests – moving away from a historical pattern where individuals installed loyalists to the detriment of the community’s welfare.
“We therefore, call on Senator Moro and his party to join us in this progressive journey towards a more democratic and prosperous Benue State, rather than resorting to undue rhetoric that seeks to undermine the positive strides we have collectively made in a short span of time,” Ikyereve advised.
