‘I built this party’ — Dan Onjeh withdraws from Benue South APC primary

Former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and APC chieftain, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has announced his withdrawal from the Benue South APC Senatorial Primary ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Onjeh made the announcement in a video statement on Sunday, where he cited the alleged undemocratic conduct of the primary process and expressed disappointment over what he described as the party’s disregard for his sacrifices and contributions over the years.

The former senatorial aspirant, who described himself as one of the founding members of the APC in Benue South, said he played a major role in building the party from its formative stage when it evolved from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

“You all can bear witness that I have been in the party as one of the founding members of the APC in Benue South. You can attest to the sacrifices and commitment I have made towards building this party,” Onjeh said.

According to him, he personally funded the membership registration booklet used during the ACN era before the party transformed into the APC.

“In fact, the membership registration booklet used to register members of the ACN, the party that later metamorphosed into the APC, was paid for by me,” he stated.

Onjeh further recalled how he moved across communities mobilizing support for the party among grassroots members, including farmers and commercial motorcycle riders.

“I moved from one community to another, speaking to okada riders, farmers, and ordinary people. I went about evangelizing the party like a Jehovah’s Witness. That was how we built the APC in Benue South,” he added.

The APC chieftain lamented that despite remaining loyal to the party through difficult moments and alleged internal conspiracies, his sacrifices appeared to have been ignored.

“Despite the conspiracies and machinations against me in the past, I remained in the party because of my commitment to its growth and development. Unfortunately, it appears that all these sacrifices have been taken for granted,” he said.

He subsequently announced his withdrawal from the senatorial primary, citing irregularities in the process.

“I humbly wish to announce my withdrawal from the Benue South Senatorial Primary due to the undemocratic conduct of the process,” Onjeh declared.