The Appeal Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State has approved the return of 11 aspirants who were previously barred from taking part in the party’s House of Assembly primaries.
This decision followed the panel’s review of 50 appeals submitted by dissatisfied aspirants after the initial screening results were released.
In a statement on Thursday, APC State Organising Secretary, James Ornguga disclosed that 11 appeals were successful, allowing those aspirants to move forward to the primaries.
The remaining 39 aspirants, however, were not cleared, as the committee upheld their disqualification due to non-compliance with party guidelines.
The statement noted that the panel thoroughly assessed written petitions, relevant documents, and oral evidence before arriving at its decisions.
Abubakar Lawal led the appeal committee, while Ade Adetimehin served as secretary alongside Ahmed Murtala.
Earlier in Makurdi, the APC screening committee had disqualified around 50 out of 148 aspirants contesting for seats in the Benue State House of Assembly, citing breaches of party rules and constitutional requirements.
Reports indicated that several incumbent lawmakers successfully passed the screening process.
Among those initially disqualified were Wisdom Dominic (Otukpo/Ohimini), Ndiisaa Terhemen (Logo), Ologbo Edwin (Oju II), John Ogbu (Oju I), Patrick Ogwuche (Okpokwu), Ezekiel Elaigwu (Agatu), and Dr. Ukan Emmanuel (Gwer East).
Others included Stephen Abanga (Ukum), Aondover Utsaha (Guma I), Shawo Aondoana (Kwande East), Agana Raphael (Oju II), Odeje Okoh (Ohimini), Agbeje Martins (Oju II), and Uko Solomon (Gaav).
Meanwhile, Daniel Ihomun, a supporter of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stated that all aspirants aligned with his political group were cleared during the screening exercise.