Benue South APC Primaries: How Ottah defeated rivals amid controversy, power play

Former lawmaker, Francis Ottah Agbo, has emerged winner of the APC senatorial primary election in Benue South Senatorial District after defeating five other aspirants in a contest trailed by allegations of imposition and internal disagreements within the party.

Final results released at the end of the exercise showed that Ottah polled 58,760 votes to secure victory in the keenly contested primary.

Hon. Joseph Ojobo came second with 6,782 votes, while Engr. Oloche Agidani secured 5,246 votes.

Former APC senatorial candidate, Hon. Daniel Onjeh, who had earlier announced his withdrawal from the race over alleged irregularities and claims of imposition, polled 4,570 votes to finish fourth in the contest despite pulling out before the exercise.

Hon. Nelson Alapa scored 4,312 votes, while Patrick Ojechema Idoko polled 2,732 votes.

Before the primaries, the contest was widely seen as a major battle among political blocs within the APC in Benue South, particularly between supporters of Ottah and Onjeh.

IDOMA VOICE reports that Ottah’s victory was strengthened by his grassroots network, political experience as a former federal lawmaker and alleged backing from influential forces within the party structure.

Onjeh, despite remaining one of the most visible political figures in the district and a former APC senatorial candidate, was said to have lost momentum after withdrawing from the race over concerns about the conduct of the process.

In a statement announcing his withdrawal before the election, Onjeh alleged that there were indications the process had been compromised and tilted in favour of a preferred aspirant.

Despite his withdrawal, his name remained on the ballot and he still secured 4,570 votes in the exercise.

Joseph Ojobo’s performance was also viewed by many party members as one of the surprises of the primary after he emerged second with 6,782 votes, while Oloche Agidani attracted support from professionals and younger party members despite limited grassroots penetration.

Governor Hyacinth Alia remained a central figure throughout the APC primary process in the state, with several stakeholders alleging that some aspirants enjoyed the backing of forces within the state leadership structure.

Though the governor did not publicly endorse any aspirant in the Benue South race, party insiders claimed political alignments linked to the government influenced the outcome of the exercise.

The role allegedly played by key mobilizers and political coordinators around the governor, including Prince Moses Ternenge, also became a subject of discussion among party members during and after the primaries.

While supporters of Ottah described the outcome as a reflection of popular support and political acceptance, Onjeh’s camp insisted the exercise was characterized by favoritism and internal manipulation.