Benue APC state assembly primaries: Shocks, premium tears await APC aspirants

Fresh political tension has gripped the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the party conducts its State House of Assembly primaries today amid fears that more serving lawmakers may lose their return tickets in the worsening political battle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume.

EXCLUSIVE findings by IDOMA VOICE indicate that no fewer than five serving House of Assembly members from Benue South Senatorial District, including principal officers, may not return to the Assembly barring any last-minute political intervention.

Among those jostling for the APC tickets in today’s assembly primaries are Samuel Awuchi Agada for Ogbadibo State Constituency, Hon. Michael Audu for Adoka/Ugboju State Constituency, Deputy Speaker Lami Ogenyi for Ado State Constituency, and Angbo Kennedy for Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency, among others.

Party insiders said the looming shake-up is closely connected to the ongoing supremacy war between Governor Alia and Senator Akume, which has continued to split the APC structure in the state into rival camps.

The development comes barely days after several serving House of Representatives members lost their tickets during the APC Reps primaries in what many party members described as a massive political takeover by forces loyal to Governor Alia.

Among those who lost their return tickets were David Ogewu of Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, Asema Achado of Gwer East/Gwer West, Sesoo Gboko of Vandeikya/Konshisha, Terso Ugbo of Kwande/Ushongo, Dickson Tarkighir of Makurdi/Guma, and Sekav Iortyom of Buruku Federal Constituency.

Most of the defeated lawmakers were believed to be politically aligned with the SGF’s camp.

Only a few prominent figures survived the political storm, including Mrs. Regina Akume, wife of the SGF, who secured victory in Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, and Mrs. Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, who emerged victorious in Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.

Sources within the APC disclosed that the battle for control of the party structure ahead of 2027 has now become more intense, with both camps fighting for dominance at the grassroots level.

“As the primaries hold today, more political casualties are expected,” a senior APC source told this medium.

“What happened during the Reps primaries was only a signal. The Assembly primaries may consume even more party members.”
Meanwhile, several defeated lawmakers are reportedly preparing to challenge the results of the primaries.

Party observers fear the internal crisis could worsen in the coming days, especially if more influential figures lose out in the Assembly primaries.
For many within the APC, the weekend exercise was more than an election, it was a public demonstration of the growing political cold war between Governor Alia and Senator Akume.

And with the 2027 general elections drawing closer, the battle for control of Benue APC appears far from over.