2027: ADC declares Apa/Agatu primaries invalid over alleged violence, hijack of materials

The Benue State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has declared the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency primary election invalid following allegations of violence and the hijacking of electoral materials.

State Chairman of the party, Samson Okwu, made the declaration on Friday while addressing journalists after receiving a petition from one of the House of Representatives aspirants, Joy Okpainmo.

According to Okwu, the circumstances surrounding the exercise made it impossible for the party to recognise the process as a legitimate primary election.

“There was no primary election in Apa/Agatu,” he stated, adding that a fresh date would be announced for a new exercise.

The development followed claims by Joy Okpainmo that the primary election could not hold because electoral materials were unavailable at the venue.

She alleged that suspected thugs disrupted the exercise, assaulted party members and supporters, and took control of the venue.

Okwu assured aspirants and party supporters that all complaints arising from the failed exercise would be addressed, while promising a transparent and credible process when the election is rescheduled.

The controversy comes amid mounting tension over the conduct of the ADC primaries in the constituency.

Earlier, Benue South senatorial aspirant of the ADC, David Olofu, also condemned the alleged hijacking of electoral materials meant for the Apa/Agatu primary election.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the David Olofu Campaign Council, Friday Adakole Elijah, the campaign alleged that armed men intercepted a vehicle conveying electoral materials alongside the Apa Local Government ADC Chairman, Hon. Sharon Adokpe.

The statement further claimed that the attackers forced the party chairman out of the moving vehicle before escaping with the electoral materials to an unknown destination.

The campaign council insisted that no legitimate primary election took place under such circumstances and urged the state and national leadership of the party to reject any result that may emerge from the disputed exercise.