Isaac Samuel
Six members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have lost their bids to secure the party’s ticket for re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The affected lawmakers are believed to be loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, while most of the victorious candidates are said to align with Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Results announced on Sunday in Makurdi by the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee showed that only four incumbent lawmakers secured return tickets out of the 11 APC-held seats in the state, while another lawmaker had earlier defected to the Labour Party before the primaries.
Among those who lost their re-election bids are Austin Achado, representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency; David Ogewu of Oju/Obi Federal Constituency; Terseer Ugbor of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency; Sekav Iyortyom of Buruku Federal Constituency; and Dickson Tarkighir of Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.
The lawmakers were defeated by candidates believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Alia’s political camp.
Incumbent lawmakers who retained their tickets include Regina Akume of Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency; Solomon Wombo of Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency; Ojotu Ojema of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency; and Blessing Onuh of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.
Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Benue State, Sabiu Mahuta, said the winners fulfilled the party’s electoral requirements and guidelines and were duly returned as candidates.
Mahuta explained that although the primaries were conducted on Saturday, delays caused by distance and security concerns prevented some returning officers from arriving on time for collation.
According to him, the committee advised affected officials to stay in secure locations and return on Sunday for the announcement of results.
In Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Achado polled 729 votes, losing to David Nongo, who secured 17,429 votes.
Returning officer for the constituency, Demian Akpem, disclosed that elections in Gbemacha Ward were cancelled over alleged overvoting, while polls in two other wards were disrupted after electoral materials were snatched.
In Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, Peter Ogbodo defeated incumbent lawmaker David Ogewu after polling 12,993 votes against Ogewu’s 120 votes.
Christopher Ikper emerged winner of the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency primary with 37,844 votes, defeating Dickson Tarkighir, who polled 1,746 votes.
Similarly, Gideon Inyom defeated incumbent lawmaker Sekav Iyortyom in Buruku Federal Constituency after scoring 10,470 votes against Iyortyom’s 1,396 votes.
Mahuta also announced Anthony Agom as winner of the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency primary after polling 19,124 votes.
Ojotu Ojema retained the APC ticket for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency with 11,305 votes, while Regina Akume secured the Gboko/Tarka ticket with 19,638 votes.
Blessing Onuh also retained the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency ticket after polling 17,451 votes.
