APC Primaries: Benue South Senatorial Aspirant Withdraws, Alleges Manipulation

An aspirant for the Benue South Senatorial District seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has withdrawn from the race, citing alleged undemocratic conduct.

Onjeh, who was the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South in the 2015 and 2023 elections, said his decision to withdraw from the primary election followed deep reflection, extensive consultations, and growing concerns regarding the conduct and management of the primary process in Benue State, particularly in the South Senatorial District.

Addressing a news conference in Makurdi, Onjeh explained that more troubling was the widespread concern among party faithful that “sensitive electoral materials and original result sheets are allegedly not within the transparent custody of official party structures, but in the possession of certain individuals operating outside recognised party procedures.”

According to Onjeh, “These individuals are widely perceived by party members as anti-democratic elements who now operate like a cabal within the party structure in the state, having allegedly hijacked critical activities and processes of the party and reduced its operations to their personal whims and caprices.”

“I write to formally notify the national leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of my decision to withdraw from the Benue South Senatorial primary process ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he stated.

Onjeh, however, said his decision to withdraw should not be interpreted as weakness or surrender, but rather as a principled stand against actions and processes capable of undermining internal democracy, party unity, and public confidence in the party.

“Even as of this moment, although a general timetable for the primaries exists, there is still no clear schedule of primary election activities for Benue South, particularly the specific time for commencement of the exercise across the wards and the publication of returning officers and officials expected to supervise the process,” he said.

He added, “Sadly, many stakeholders believe that established democratic procedures, party guidelines, rules, and lawful internal processes are increasingly being disregarded or violated without accountability.

“Even the leader of the party in the state, the governor, appears helpless in their hands as these individuals continue to exercise enormous influence over the activities and operations of the party,” Onjeh added.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with officials of the APC Benue State chapter were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.