The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Benue state chapter, Sir John Ngbede, has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) to channel their frustration and anger on its members that failed to deliver during the last general elections in the state.
Ngbede was reacting to a report by the Middlebelt Vanguard for Democracy and Good Governance alleging that some Benue leaders have concluded plans to use the judiciary to deliver judgments that would uphold what it described as ‘heavily rigged’ elections in the state.
But in a statement he signed Wednesday, Ngbede slammed the APC for failing to campaign and rally supports for its candidates before the general elections.
He lambasted the APC for relying mainly on federal might to manipulate the result of the elections, adding the main opposition party in the state failed woefully because Benue electorate rejected the party and its candidates.
“The APC presented a poor, ill-researched and drafted skeletal petition before the Governorship, National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal the result of which is the affirmation of the PDP’s victory.
“The APC should vent their frustration on their members who could not campaign and convince the electorates to come out en mass and vote for their party rather than the PDP.
“We advise the APC and the Middle Belt Vanguard for Democracy and Good Governance not to drag our beloved judiciary into the murky waters of politics”.
“We wish to inform the public that the press release is borne out of malice and is an attempt to create mischief and disaffection targeted towards the PDP family and the good people of Benue state”.
The chairman gave the group twenty-four hours to retract the offensive statement it released, noting that it was not offensive to the PDP but Benue electorate that voted massively for Governor Samuel Ortom and all the other PDP candidates in the last general elections.
The Middle Belt Vanguard Democracy and Good Governance had among others listed former President of the Senate, David Mark, and Governor Samuel Ortom, as those involved in the manipulation of the judiciary saying ‘a plot to plunge Benue into violence was uncovered.
