Viral video on LG poll made to ridicule my administration – Benue gov

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, said that the trending video on social media in connection with the just concluded local government election in the state was a tactic to cast a shadow over a transparent and violence-free election.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Thursday said that the video was to ridicule his government and the state electoral commission.

The said video saw people were thumb printing ballot papers during the local government election that held on Saturday.

The statement read in part, “This video, which has been used to ridicule the Government of Benue State and the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, is nothing more than an unfortunate attempt by desperate individuals to score cheap political points.

“The governor said that the video was a stage-managed drama, orchestrated by opponents to undermine good governance …

“We found no credible evidence linking this fabricated content to the governor or his administration.

“Prior to the elections, credible sources informed us of underhand plans by some opposition elements to discredit the electoral process.

“This video appears to be one of their tactics to cast a shadow over what was a transparent and violence-free election,” the statement further read in parts.

While stating that the achievement recorded during the election should be celebrated rather than tarnishing the  election, the governor said that the poll marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time in many years that voters in Benue had access to ballot papers for local government elections.

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