The outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries in Benue State has further exposed the lingering political rift between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and Governor Hyacinth Alia.
While Mrs Regina Akume, who represents Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, secured a return ticket, several other loyalists of the SGF failed to clinch the party’s tickets.
Among those affected were Dickson Tarkghir of Makurdi/Guma, Sesoo Gboko of Vandeikya/Konshisha, Asema Achado of Gwer East/Gwer West, Ugbor Terseer of Kwande/Ushongo, Sekav Iortyom of Buruku, and David Ogewu of Oju/Obi Federal Constituencies.
The primaries also dealt a major blow to Akume’s camp in the Senate contests, as two serving senators lost their bids to secure APC tickets for the next general elections.
Senator Emmanuel Udende, representing Benue North East (Zone A), and Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West (Zone B), both lost to candidates believed to be loyal to Governor Alia.
The APC adopted the direct primary option for the exercise conducted on Monday across the three senatorial districts in the state.
Udende was defeated by former governor and senator, Gabriel Suswam, while Zam lost to retired senior Customs officer, Teseer Benjamin Aber, who is also the husband of the current Secretary to the Benue State Government.
Chief Returning Officer for Zone B, John Hembe, declared Aber winner with 93,412 votes, defeating Zam, who polled 2,763 votes, and Padopads Awunah, who scored 21,731 votes.
Similarly, the Chief Returning Officer for Zone A, Michael Tyo, announced that Suswam secured 131,083 votes to defeat Udende, who scored 1,364 votes, while Fidelis Unongo polled 865 votes.
In Benue South (Zone C), former House of Representatives member, Francis Agbo, emerged winner of the APC senatorial ticket after polling 58,760 votes.
Agbo defeated five other aspirants, including Daniel Onjeh, who scored 4,570 votes.
Chairman of the Senatorial Primary Election Committee for Benue South, Saidu Sabiu, disclosed that Joseph Ojobo scored 6,782 votes, Nelson Alapa got 4,312 votes, Gabriel Oloche polled 5,246 votes, while Patrick Ojeche secured 2,732 votes.
Sabiu congratulated the winners and urged aggrieved aspirants to channel their complaints to the Appeal Committee within 24 hours of the declaration of results.
He said, “Like I said the other time, this is a home affair, a family affair. I don’t see anybody winning and I don’t see anybody losing. This is an internal process.
“Whoever has represented the party and all members of the party, we pray our party will win all elections from the presidential to the state House of Assembly elections.
“May we continue to be as united as we are. This process of primary election will only make the party to come out stronger, more united and focused with all the elections, including the elections that comes next year. May almighty continue to support us.
“May God make those we put forward to win the election to the benefit of the party and also the country at large.”
The Benue APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, commended members of the committee for conducting what he described as a “free, fair and credible” exercise.
He also praised Benue residents for their peaceful conduct throughout the primaries and commended Governor Alia for providing what he called an enabling environment for the exercise.
Omale further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, for deploying “credible, transparent and professional” party officials to oversee the primaries.
He congratulated the winners and urged party members to remain loyal and united ahead of the general elections.