A former Caretaker Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, Douglas Onyilo, has described the recent verdict of the Benue State Local Government Election Appeal Panel as "a profound act of political preservation" after it reversed the unlawful removal of duly elected Chairmen and Councillors in the state.
In a statement issued in Makurdi on Thursday, Onyilo lauded the judgment as "a bold reaffirmation of the sanctity of democratic processes" and "a timely shield against those who sought to derail the will of the people and hijack the democratic mandate of Governor Hyacinth Alia."
Defending Grassroots Democracy
"At a time when grassroots democracy is threatened by desperation and manipulation, this judgment has rekindled public confidence in the rule of law and the resilience of our institutions," Onyilo stated.
He emphasized that the Appeal Panel demonstrated "a judicious mix of legal insight and political conscience" by standing firm against forces that sought to undermine both democracy and governance in Benue State.
Onyilo referenced the constitutional guarantee of democratically elected local government councils, noting that this guarantee had come under threat in Benue State.
Alleged Political Conspiracy
The former chairman cited Dan Onjeh, described as a respected activist and former Senate aspirant, who characterized the abrupt removal of elected council officials as "not just a legal misstep but a deliberate plot orchestrated by enemies of the state."
According to Onyilo, these individuals were "bent on destabilizing the administration of Governor Alia, disrupting governance at the grassroots, and mocking the votes of the people."
The ruling in favour of the elected officials is a sweeping reaffirmation of a truth that has too often been neglected: local government administration must be built on the will of the people—not political maneuvering.
He stressed that local government, being the closest tier to the people, suffered immediate consequences from this disruption, which "nearly crippled development and governance at the grassroots."
Restoration of Constitutional Order
Onyilo described the Appeal Panel's judgment as a corrective measure that returns Benue to constitutional order while protecting the administration's credibility.
"This ruling is not just a restoration of electoral mandates; it is a bold statement that Benue belongs to its people—not to political cabals," he declared. "It is a signal that Governor Alia's administration cannot be hijacked by enemies masquerading as stakeholders."
The former chairman concluded by extending congratulations to the Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and the State Caretaker Committee Chairman.
