The Appeal Tribunal on Local Government Election Petitions in Benue State, sitting at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja, has affirmed the election of all 23 local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major legal win for Governor Hyacinth Alia and the ruling party.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, reversed previous decisions by the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals, which had annulled APC victories in nine local government areas following the October 2024 polls conducted by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).

The nine affected LGAs in the initial tribunal rulings included Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, Ushongo, Otukpo, Agatu, Ado, Apa, and Ohimini.

The appellate panel, however, dismissed the appeals—mainly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties—on grounds of lacking merit and failure to provide sufficient evidence of electoral malpractice or violation of electoral laws.

Reacting to the ruling, Melvin Ejeh, Chairman of Agatu Local Government, described the judgment as a victory for justice and democracy. He called for unity and urged the opposition to work together with elected officials to promote grassroots development and effective governance.