By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
About seven serving members of the House of Representatives from Benue State, North Central Nigeria, have reportedly lost their return bids in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections conducted across the state last Saturday.
Most of the affected lawmakers were said to be loyalists of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, as the primaries appeared to favour candidates believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
According to results announced by the Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Electoral Committee and Returning Officer, Mr. Sabiu Saidu Mahota, the wife of the SGF, Mrs. Regina Akume, and the daughter of former Senate President, Hon. Blessing Onuh, secured the party’s tickets among candidates linked to the Akume political camp.
In the Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency, the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher, reportedly lost to Engr. Livinus Tsar, who is believed to be aligned with Governor Alia.
Similarly, in the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Engr. Christopher Ikper emerged victorious over a two-term House of Representatives member and other contenders who were said to have polled fewer votes.
The outcome was also unfavourable to another serving lawmaker and Akume loyalist, Hon. Asema Achado, who suffered an upset defeat in the Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency contest.
Tension, however, trailed the conduct of the primaries in some areas. In Oju/Obi, Kwande / Ushongo and Buruku Federal Constituencies, disputes reportedly arose over the alleged diversion of sensitive election materials by rival political groups.
In Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, the exercise was disrupted by protests following allegations that the APC chairmen of the three local government areas disappeared with the election results.
Other candidates declared winners by the electoral committee include Gideon Nyam for Buruku Federal Constituency; Mrs. Regina Akume, who polled 19,638 votes in Gboko/Tarka; Prof. Kohol Iornem for Kwande/Ushongo; Solomon Wombo for Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo; and Hon. Blessing Onuh, who secured 17,451 votes to emerge flag bearer for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.
Despite the outcome of the primaries, some loyalists of Senator Akume are reportedly demanding the return of sitting lawmakers, insisting that the arrangement was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s alleged directive supporting continuity for National Assembly members.
At least, no fewer than 81 aspirants contested in the APC House of Representatives primaries held across Benue State.
Speaking after the exercise, the Returning Officer, Mr. Sabiu Mahota, commended the aspirants for the peaceful conduct of the primaries and urged those who lost to support the party’s candidates ahead of the general elections.
He also appealed to APC supporters to view the outcome of the exercise as a family affair capable of strengthening party unity in the state.
