Mathias Terwase Byuan, the Labour Party’s sole gubernatorial aspirant in Benue State has distanced himself from the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries.
Byuan also strongly rejected the inclusion of his name on the APC’s list of gubernatorial aspirants, describing it as mischievous, false, misleading, and unauthorised.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 21, 2026, Byuan clarified that he had officially resigned his membership of the APC and withdrawn his aspiration under the party before the primaries process began.
“I, Mathias Terwase Byuan PhD, wish to state without any iota of ambiguity that I am no longer a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and I am not an aspirant for the office of Governor of Benue State under the APC,” Byuan said.
He explained that he formally resigned his APC membership on May 7, 2026, and notified his Ward Chairman in writing the same day.
He transmitted a copy of the resignation letter to the National Chairman of the APC on May 8, 2026, and the letter was duly received and acknowledged. To ensure proper service, he also sent a copy via DHL.
He added that he executed a Notary Public attestation of his voluntary withdrawal and submitted it to the APC Screening Committee. He also formally withdrew his candidacy in writing to the Chairman of the APC Screening Committee.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any list, publication, or circulation bearing my name as an aspirant cleared to contest for the APC Governorship ticket is false, misleading, and unauthorised. I am not bound by any resolution or process relating to the said primaries,” Byuan declared.
To buttress his position, Byuan attached copies of his APC resignation letter, the notarised voluntary withdrawal, his formal withdrawal of candidacy to the Screening Committee, and the Labour Party Screening Certificate to the press statement.
He urged the general public, party members, media organisations, and his supporters to disregard any contrary information concerning his alleged participation in the APC primaries.
Meanwhile, Byuan reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, calling on the people of Benue to come out en masse and vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He also solicited the support of Benue people for his own gubernatorial ambition on the Labour Party platform and for all other LP candidates in the state.