Judiciary Under Fire: Benue’s Election Chaos Sparks NJC Clash

A storm of controversy has erupted in Benue State as the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of Nigeria Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have fired a scathing petition at the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the Benue State judiciary of meddling in local government election tribunals. The explosive claims, announced on April 29, 2025, and amplified through posts on X, target Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese, alleging he manipulated tribunal rulings to undermine Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration. The groups are demanding swift NJC action, threatening mass protests if the judiciary’s integrity isn’t restored.The petition, signed by CNPP’s Comrade Mohammed Musa Lawal and CNCSOs’ Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, accuses Ikpambese of flouting electoral laws by waiving mandatory security deposits for petitioners and relocating the tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja’s NBA House, a move deemed illegal under Benue’s electoral laws. They claim these actions favored petitioners from the All Progressives Congress (APC) who didn’t contest the October 2024 local elections, aiming to unseat Alia’s elected chairmen. The groups argue that only candidates who ran in the polls have the legal right to file petitions, citing Supreme Court rulings on intra-party disputes belonging in regular courts.The backdrop is a fierce political tug-of-war. Alia, a priest-turned-governor, swept the 2024 local elections for the APC, but internal party rivals, allegedly backed by powerful figures, are challenging the results. The CNPP and CNCSOs allege a plot to destabilize Alia’s government, pointing to the tribunal’s April 12 rulings that dismissed 10 petitions for procedural errors, like unpaid deposits. Critics, including APC chieftain Daniel Onjeh, have linked the judicial saga to rising insecurity, suggesting orchestrated attacks aim to discredit Alia. Protests erupted in March when Ikpambese relocated the tribunal, prompting a Federal High Court in Makurdi to order it back to Benue, only for an FCT court to countermand it.The NJC, tasked with disciplining judges, faces mounting pressure. Past inaction on petitions against Ikpambese, including a 2024 asset declaration scandal, fuels accusations of bias. The groups warn that the judiciary’s silence risks eroding public trust, with the Appeal Panel’s upcoming ruling set to shape Benue’s political future.What This Means for NigeriansThis drama is about more than courtrooms—it’s about who controls Benue’s local councils and their funds. For everyday Nigerians, especially in Benue, it’s a fight over whether elected leaders can deliver roads, schools, and security, or if political games will hijack progress. If the NJC doesn’t act, trust in justice could crumble, leaving voters wondering if their ballots even matter.