Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations accredited by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission,BESIEC as election observers in the last Local Government elections have landed the governor of the state, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia for conducting a free and fair election.
The CCSO official, Ada Onyeije while addressing a press conference in Makurdi said that the election was credible, peaceful, free and fair, adding that thr results as announced by the state electoral body expressed the will of the people and their general acceptance of the Alia-led administration.
The CCSO also condemned the Benue senators for calling for the cancellation of the exercise on floor of the Senate, saying that their actions was political which didn’t have the interest of the people of the state.
The group said: “The just announced results of the Chairmanship and the Councillorship elections that took place on the 5th of October 2024 at different Local Government Areas of Benue State was nothing but a clear manifestation of the will of the people as those that won the election did so with very clear margins.
“The men, women and youths all came out in their numbers to exercise their franchise and cast their votes for the candidate of their choice”
The CCSO official further appreciated the security personnel that were deployed in their numbers, saying that they gallantly ensured peace and security of lives and properties during the exercise. “There were no intimidations or violence from state actors and no one unleashed any form of terror and harassment on voters” she added.
While commending the Benue State Electoral Commission BESIEC for its commitment and manner in which it conducted the election, she appreciated the commitment of the electoral body towards ensuring a hitch free exercise.
She also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for executing one of the best and most peaceful elections in the state as she reiterated that his style of leadership in this present dispensation is worthy of emulation by all and sundry.
She commended Alia for impacting lives, engaging in divers infrastructural projects and ensuring the peace of the land.
She further observed that the only slight challenge noticed was with regards to logistics, as there was a slight delay in transportation and arrival of some materials to few polling units but the materials arrived immediately the issue was reported.
According to her, the CCSO observed that voters conducted themselves peacefully and the officers on duty ensured preference was given to the elderly at the polling units.
The CCSO official who represented the observers clearly stated that the election was peaceful, free, fair and credible. She however congratulated all the elected Chairmen and Councillors, encouraging them to remain focused and committed to the welfare of their people whom they represent as she wished them well in the cause of their duties.