The political landscape of Benue State is embroiled in controversy surrounding the relocation of the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal from Makurdi, the state capital, to Abuja. The decision, made by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese, citing security concerns, has ignited public outcry and protests, highlighting the intricate interplay of judicial processes and political tensions. The relocation order, issued on March 5th, 2025, affects the adjudication of disputes stemming from the local government elections held in October 2024, which saw numerous petitions filed by aggrieved candidates from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The relocation of the tribunal has become a focal point of contention between the judiciary and the executive branch. Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Attorney General, has questioned the Chief Judge’s unilateral decision, emphasizing the lack of formal notification to the governor’s office. While hundreds of protesters from Benue State demonstrated in Abuja, marching from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court to express their displeasure, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary distanced the administration from the protests, asserting the government’s focus on infrastructural development rather than political maneuvering. This denial of involvement underscores the delicate political balance the governor seeks to maintain amidst the growing controversy.
Further complicating the situation are conflicting court orders. While Justice Ikpembese ordered the tribunal’s relocation to Abuja, a Federal High Court in Makurdi issued a restraining order, directing the tribunal to remain in Benue State. Subsequently, the FCT High Court in Abuja, ruling in favor of the APC, directed the tribunal to continue its sittings in Abuja, thereby creating a legal logjam. This back-and-forth between different courts has injected uncertainty into the legal process, raising concerns about the potential for political influence on judicial decisions. The Chairman of the Makurdi branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) lamented the politicization of the tribunal case, highlighting the conflicting orders as a source of legal ambiguity and potential manipulation.
Adding another layer of complexity is the preexisting tension between Governor Alia and Chief Judge Ikpembese. Prior to the tribunal controversy, the Benue State House of Assembly, acting on a petition from Governor Alia, had initiated proceedings to remove the Chief Judge on grounds of misconduct and corruption. This attempt was met with resistance from both the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the NBA. The current dispute over the tribunal’s location thus unfolds against a backdrop of pre-existing animosity and distrust between the executive and judicial branches, raising concerns about the impartiality of the legal proceedings.
The protests in Abuja, organized by concerned citizens, brought further attention to the perceived irregularities surrounding the tribunal’s relocation. Protest leader Igwe Ude-Umanta criticized Justice Ikpembese for unilaterally waiving the constitutional requirement of a security deposit for petitioners, and also faulted Justice M.M. Adamu of the FCT High Court for issuing the order compelling the tribunal to sit in Abuja despite the existing restraining order. The protesters’ demands for the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene and for President Tinubu to address the crisis underscores the growing national concern about the integrity of the judicial process in Benue State. They argue that allowing such perceived manipulations to stand would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law and eroding public trust in the judiciary.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the Benue Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal encapsulates a complex interplay of legal procedures, political rivalries, and public perception. The conflicting court orders, accusations of political interference, and pre-existing tensions between the state government and the judiciary have created a volatile situation that threatens the integrity of the electoral process and the rule of law. The protests in Abuja, along with the calls for intervention from the highest levels of the judiciary and the executive branch, demonstrate the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and fairness. The long-term implications of this dispute could significantly impact the political landscape of Benue State and serve as a test case for the resilience of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
