The Benue State Local Government Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting at the NBA House in Abuja, on Sunday nullified the election of Melvin Ejeh as the Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area.
The tribunal instead declared Napoleon Otache as the duly elected chairman of the council.
The tribunal’s ruling followed a petition challenging the legitimacy of the local government election in Agatu, one of the 23 LGAs in Benue State.
In a statement issued shortly after the verdict, Ejeh described the tribunal’s decision as a “total miscarriage of justice” and reaffirmed his commitment to contesting the ruling through the legal process.
“My fellow citizens of Agatu Local Government, you are aware of the total miscarriage of justice done to me on a matter of the same facts and evidence across the 23 local government areas of Benue State at the tribunal,” Ejeh stated.
Despite the ruling, he maintained that he remains the legitimate chairman until the outcome of the appeal, urging residents to remain calm and united during this period.
“I want to emphasize the importance of staying calm and united. I have already mobilized my dedicated team of lawyers, who have proceeded on appeal.
“I want to assure you that the mandate you bestowed upon me will not be taken. My legal team is confident in the strength of our case, and we will prevail when we present it at the appeal tribunal,” he added.
