Governor Hyacinth Alia has strongly discredited a viral video circulating on social media, which claimed to show members of the Benue All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged in mass thumbprinting of ballots during the recent Local Government elections. He characterized the footage as a “stage-managed drama” aimed at tarnishing the integrity of the election process.
In an official statement released Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia asserted that the October 5, 2024, Local Government election was the most transparent in the state’s history. He expressed concern over the use of the video to undermine the credibility of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).
> “This video, which has been used to ridicule our administration, is nothing more than an unfortunate attempt by desperate individuals to score cheap political points,” stated Alia. “Upon thorough review, it is clear that this content is fabricated to discredit our efforts.”
The governor emphasized that prior to the elections, intelligence reports indicated that some opposition groups were planning to create disinformation to disrupt the electoral process. He highlighted that this election marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time in years that voters in Benue had access to ballot papers for local government elections.
Governor Alia noted, “For the first time since the resurgence of democracy in Nigeria, BSIEC meticulously trained all ad-hoc staff for the polls. This achievement should be celebrated rather than tarnished.”
He urged journalists and media outlets, particularly Arise TV, which aired the controversial video, to adhere to ethical journalism standards and verify facts before broadcasting.
> “As the light of society, it is crucial to cross-check facts and avoid being swayed by mere spectacle,” he added. “We remain committed to transparency and accountability in governance and will not be deterred by attempts to mislead the public.”
Like | share
Follow Morgan Freeman blog Related News
– Benue LG Poll: Allegations of Ballot Tampering Disputed by Gov Alia
– Benue: Gov Alia Encourages LG Chairmen to Collaborate with State Government
-APC Dominates Benue LG Poll, Securing All 23 Chairmanship and 276 Councillorship Seats
