By Ojima-ojo Abubakar
The results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Primaries for National Assembly Candidates in Benue State have shown that the rift between Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Governor Hyacinth Alia, is far from over.
While Mrs Regina Akume, who currently represents Gboko/Tarka federal constituency at the House of Representatives got a return ticket, five other loyalists of the SGF were not so lucky.
They are 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.
In the Senate, two incumbent senators loyal to the SGF lost their bid to clinch the tickets for the forthcoming general elections.
The two aspirants include Senator Emmanuel Udende representing Benue North East (Zone A) and Senator Titus Zam of Benue North West (Zone B) who both lost to Alia’s loyalists.
Our correspondent reports that the party adopted the direct primary option for the exercise conducted on Monday in the three senatorial districts across the state.
Udende was defeated by former governor and Senator, Gabriel Suswam, while Zam lost to a retired senior Custom officer and husband to the present Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teseer Benjamin Aber.
Chief Returning Officer of Zone B election, Chief John Hembe earlier declared Aber winner of the election with 93,412 votes against Zam who scored 2,763 and Padopads Awunah’s 21,731.
Similarly, the results as announced by the Chief Returning Office for Zone A, Barr. Michael Tyo showed that Suswam garnered 131,083 votes to defeat Udende who scored 1,364 while son of late elder stateman Paul Unongo, Fidelis Unongo got 865.
However, in the Benue South (Zone C) a former House of Representatives member, Dr. Francis Agbo clinched the party’s tickets after scoring the highest votes of 58,760 to defeat other five opponents including Daniel Onjeh who got 4570 votes.
Saidu Sabiu, Chairman of the Senatorial Primary Election Committee, who doubles as the General Officer for the Benue South Senatorial primaries disclosed that other aspirants to include Joseph Ojobo scored 6,782 votes, while Nelson Alapa got 4,312 with Gabriel Oloche having 5,246 votes and Patrick Ojeche left with 2,732 votes
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Saidu congratulated all winners in the election announced on Tuesday while urging all candidates who have grievances to write their position and address it to the Appeal Committee not later than 24 hours after the declaration.
He added, “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 to the party and also the country at large.”
The APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, appreciated members of the committee for conducting “free, fair and credible” elections; the Benue people for their maturity and peaceful conduct throughout the election and Governor Hyacinth Alia for providing enabling environment for all.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national party chairman, Nantawe Yilwatda, for sending “credible, transparent and professional” party men for the exercise, assuring that the people in the state would remain loyal to the party.
Omale also congratulated the winners, urging all members to continue to keep faith with the party.
