The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, which convened at the Nigerian Bar Association building in Abuja, has deferred its decision on the petitions contesting the results of the local government polls in Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Otukpo Local Government Areas.
According to the Tribunal, the decision will be announced on dates that will be communicated to all the parties concerned.
On April 5, 2025, during the session of Zone A Panel 1 chaired by Justice Ityonyiman, the proceedings concerning appeals from Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Logo Local Government Areas were finalized with the acceptance of the concluding written submissions presented by each party’s legal representatives.
In like manner, the Benue South (Zone C) committee accepted the finalized written submissions from the Otukpo LGA petition, thereby concluding the hearing stage for that particular case too.
These events occur alongside ongoing disputes surrounding the October 5, 2024 Benue local government elections and the subsequent tribunal hearings.
The transfer of the tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja in March 2025, due to concerns over safety and a judges' strike, led to demonstrations and legal opposition.
Although the Federal High Court in Makurdi first suspended the tribunal’s sessions in Abuja, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory subsequently granted an interim directive permitting the hearings to proceed.
Benue Local Government election: Tribunal retains decision on petitions concerning Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Otukpo