No ill-feeling over my sacking, says ex-Benue SIEC boss

The sacked chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr John Chen, on Friday said his efforts to do the right thing as electoral body caused his removal.

Recall that the ruling All Progressive Congress in the state has been divided into two factions, one belonging to Austin Agada-led executive which is recognised at the national level, and Governor Alia’s faction with Benjamin Omakolo as the acting chairman.

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia had earlier approved the removal of the chairman of the SIEC, Dr John Chen.

The state House of Assembly on Wednesday recommended the removal of the SIEC chairman after members accused him (chairman) of poor judgment.

According to the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Friday, the governor had accepted the resolution.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Chen said due to an internal crisis in the ruling APC in the state, he decided to seek clarification from the national secretariat of the party to know who was the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

According to the sacked SIEC boss, in line with constitutional provision, the electoral body does not deal with a faction of a political party.

Chen buttressed his argument with the letter he forwarded to the national secretariat dated on July 29, 2024, and titled, ‘Request for submission of the list of executive members of APC in Benue State’, and addressed to the national chairman of APC.

He said, “The problem is that I sought to know from the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressive Congress who is the authentic chairman so that the body could relate with the person as we are preparing for local government election

“I decided to do that to work by the constitutional provision because I didn’t want to be entangled with the internal politics of the party. The electoral process does not deal with a faction of political party.”

When asked if he felt bad about his removal, Chen said, “I don’t feel bad because my integrity is intact. I prefer to have my integrity intact rather than get entangled with their internal politics.