Former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and member representing Gboko West Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, has announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the State House of Assembly seat.
The withdrawal was disclosed in a statement signed by his media aide, Agber Kulugh.
According to the statement, the decision was informed by what Dajoh described as alleged manipulation and lack of transparency in the conduct of ongoing APC primary elections across Benue State.
The statement claimed that reports and developments from some areas where primaries had already taken place suggested that the process had been compromised.
It further alleged that in certain locations, result sheets were reportedly completed before the commencement of voting exercises, while in other areas election materials allegedly did not reach designated voting centres despite winners being announced.
Dajoh reportedly stated that participating in the State House of Assembly primary under such conditions would amount to legitimising a process he believes lacks credibility, fairness and democratic integrity.
The former Speaker expressed appreciation to supporters, delegates, stakeholders, youths, women and party faithful across Gboko West Constituency and Gboko Local Government Area for their support and confidence in his leadership.
He also urged his supporters and political associates to remain calm and peaceful while awaiting further directives.
The development comes amid ongoing APC primary activities across Benue State, with concerns reportedly emerging from some stakeholders regarding the conduct of the exercises.
At the time of filing this report, there was no immediate official response from APC authorities regarding the allegations contained in the statement.