A former Caretaker Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area in Benue State, Douglas Onyilo, has hailed the recent verdict of the Benue State Local Government Election Appeal Panel, which reversed the controversial removal of duly elected Chairmen and Councillors across the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Makurdi, Onyilo described the judgment as not just a legal milestone, but a significant act of political preservation. He said the ruling serves as a strong reaffirmation of democratic principles, the supremacy of the constitution, and a timely safeguard against attempts to subvert the will of the people and the mandate of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“At a time when grassroots democracy is under siege from desperation and manipulation, this judgment has rekindled public faith in the rule of law and the resilience of our institutions,” Onyilo stated.
He lauded the Appeal Panel for what he termed a “judicious blend of legal insight and political conscience,” noting that the panel courageously resisted forces attempting to undermine democracy and governance in Benue State.
“The Constitution guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected councils,” Onyilo noted. “That guarantee came under direct threat in Benue State.”
Citing activist and former Senate aspirant Dan Onjeh, Onyilo described the abrupt removal of elected council officials as more than a legal blunder, calling it “a calculated plot by enemies of the state—those bent on destabilizing Governor Alia’s administration, sabotaging grassroots governance, and ridiculing the people’s votes.”
He emphasized that the panel’s verdict is a powerful reminder that local government administration must be rooted in the will of the people, not political scheming. According to him, the disruption nearly paralyzed development and service delivery at the grassroots level.
“The judgment has acted as a necessary corrective,” Onyilo said. “It restores constitutional order and protects the credibility of the current administration.”
He further called on all democratic stakeholders in Nigeria to take note of the broader significance of the ruling, saying it reaffirms that Benue belongs to its citizens, not political cabals.
“This is a clear signal that Governor Alia’s administration is not up for hijack by enemies disguising themselves as stakeholders,” Onyilo said.
He concluded by congratulating the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the State Caretaker Committee Chairman for what he called a resounding democratic victory.
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