APC Lawyers Urge Postponement of Benue Election Tribunal Over Security Fears
Lawyers representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing Local Government Election Tribunals in Benue State have raised serious security concerns regarding the safety of tribunal proceedings. In three separate letters, addressed to the tribunal chairmen, the APC legal team has formally requested the adjournment of the tribunal’s sitting scheduled for February 24, 2025, due to escalating security issues.
The letters, signed by Matthew Burkaa, Mohammed Ndarani, and Sunday Ameh—representing the senatorial districts of Zones A, B, and C respectively—detailed their concerns, citing the volatile security situation surrounding the tribunal venues.
In the letter from Burkaa, representing Zone B, the lawyer emphasized that he was handling 294 petitions in the 104 cases pending before the tribunal in the zone. He explained that, despite initial notifications from the tribunal indicating no sitting would occur on February 21, 2025, they were taken by surprise when they received notices indicating that proceedings would resume on February 24.
Burkaa described the growing security tension around the court premises and the state as a whole, expressing fear for the safety of both the legal team and their clients. The letter implored the tribunal to adjourn the sitting until proper security measures could be arranged to ensure the safety of all parties involved.
Unified Stance from Other Lawyers
Following Burkaa’s lead, both Ndarani and Ameh—representing Zones A and C—expressed their full agreement with Burkaa’s request. They echoed the concerns raised in the petition, further amplifying the call for the tribunal to prioritize security before proceeding with any hearings.
The APC lawyers emphasized that the safety of all tribunal participants, including the legal teams and clients, should be the primary concern. They urged the tribunal to take immediate and proper measures to address the security risks before continuing with the hearings.
Awaiting Tribunal’s Response
The tribunal’s response to these security concerns remains to be seen, as lawyers and political stakeholders in the state closely watch how the panel will proceed amidst these mounting security issues. The APC lawyers hope for swift action to ensure a safe and fair environment for the continuation of the election petitions.
