The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Benue State Chapter has given a group, Middle Belt Vanguard for Democracy and Good Governance, an ultimatum of 24 hours to retract their statements in the media or they will be forced to take legal action against them.
The State Chairman PDP, John Ngbede was reacting to a statement released on behalf of the group by its President, Justus Obekpa, which identified former Senate President, David Mark and Governor Samuel Ortom as those involved in the manipulation of the judiciary behind the scene.
Ngbede stated that the press release is borne out of malice and is an attempt to create mischief and disaffection targeted towards the PDP family, Benue State and an atempt to diminish the trust and confidence, which the public places on the judiciary.
“We therefore find this press release offensive and strongly condemn same as a party. We demand for the immediate retraction of this press release within 24 hours and the immediate arrest and prosecution of the author or we shall be compelled to proceed with any legal action at our disposal,” the Chairman said.
He recalled that the PDP family, Benue State Chapter and its candidates, campaigned during the electioneering period; won elections in majority, if not all polling units despite several attempts by APC and its leadership in the State to cause mayhem and breakdown of law and order in the State.
“The APC woefully lost and proceeded to the various Election Petition Tribunals that were setup in the State to challenge the victory and return of the PDP and her candidates.
“Our candidates and the Party have defended and are still defending their God-giving mandate legally at the Appellate Court after all the petitions were heard and determined by the respective Election Petition Panels.
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“As a party speaking from an informed position, election petition are sui generis (of a special class). Unlike other normal civil cases; one must plead and prove the allegation of irregularities enumerated in the petition and the infractions with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). The failure to prove same would amount to a dismissal of the petition.
“No reasonable Tribunal could have held that the elections conducted by the un-biased umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were not correct or authentic in Benue State. Even when witnesses were called before the Election Petition Panels to ascertain if the elections were conducted in line with the Electoral Act, many if not all chorused that the election was conducted peacefully and in accordance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).”
The PDP while noting that the APC in the state relied on federal might to win both at the polls and at the tribunal but failed, called on the APC to rather vent their frustration on their members who could not campaign and convince the electorate to come out en-mass and vote for their party.
“We advise the APC, the Middle Belt Vanguard for Democracy and Good Governance not to drag our beloved judiciary into the murky waters of politics.
“We, the PDP in Benue believe in our members who stood resolute in the face of threat before, during and after the elections. They have also supported us to defend our God-given mandate at the Election Petition Tribunal and appeals.
“We as a party advice the APC, that the appropriate forum to vent electoral grievances is in the law courts instead of making defamatory write-ups to destroy the image of our great party,” the party said.
