Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has directed that only individuals with a legitimate assignment at the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal be allowed access to the venue.
The tribunal proceedings are taking place in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kula Tersoo, the directive aims to enhance security within the tribunal venues.
The governor, who warned against protests within the tribunal premises, emphasized that only judges, counsels, petitioners, and witnesses should be granted access.
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The statement read in part:
“Recognizing the time-bound nature of election petitions, His Excellency has directed that only the Election Petition Tribunals be allowed access to the designated court premises where they are sitting.
“To ensure the safety and security of all concerned, His Excellency has implemented necessary security measures to protect members of the tribunals, petitioners, respondents, their legal representatives, witnesses, and the tribunal secretariat.
“In the interest of maintaining law and order, His Excellency has banned any form of protest, unauthorized gathering, or commercial activities such as hawking within and around the court premises. Anyone found violating this directive will face legal consequences.
“His Excellency guarantees a peaceful atmosphere for the continued sittings of the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in the open court, ensuring that due process is followed without any form of interference.”
The governor further urged members of the public to remain calm and patient as they await the tribunal’s decisions. He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace among the people.
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