The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue Tuesday threatened legal action against the Middle Belt Vanguard for Democracy and Good Governance for accusing Governor Samuel Ortom and former President of the Senate, David Mark of manipulating the judiciary behind the scene.
The party, in a press statement issued by the state chairman of the party, Mr John Ngbede, described the comment by the group which was released on its behalf by its president, Chief Justus Obekpa, as “offensive and condemnable”.
The party said the press release was borne out of malice and an attempt to create mischief and disaffection targeted towards the PDP family in the state.
The statement said majority of the candidates featured by PDP in the 2019 election in the state won their elections and cases brought against them at the election tribunal.
The PDP also said even on appeal decided so far, “the appellate court has affirmed PDP and its candidates as winners of the elections.”
The party advised the APC, the Middle Belt Vanguard for Democracy and Good Governance not to drag the judiciary into the murky waters of politics.
“We the PDP in Benue believe in our members who stood resolute in the face of threat before, during and after the elections. They have also supported us to defend our God-given mandate at the election petition tribunal and appeals.
“We as a party advice the APC, that the appropriate forum to vent electoral grievances is in the law courts. The idea of causing to be made defamatory write ups; which even a kindergarten pupil can easily discern or glean that such write-ups are aimed at causing mischief and targeted to destroy the image of our great party.
“We therefore find this press release offensive and strongly condemn same as a party. We demand for the immediate retraction of this press release within 24 hours and the immediate arrest and prosecution of the author or we shall be compelled to proceed with any legal action at our disposal,” the party added.
