APC Primaries: Benue South Senatorial Aspirant Withdraws, Alleges Manipulation

An aspirant for the Benue South Senatorial District seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has withdrawn from the race, alleging irregularities and undemocratic practices in the conduct of the party’s primary process.

Onjeh, who was the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South in the 2015 and 2023 elections, said his decision followed deep reflection and consultations, as well as concerns over the management of the primaries in Benue State.

Addressing a news conference in Makurdi, he alleged that there were widespread concerns among party members over the custody of sensitive electoral materials and result sheets.

He claimed that such materials were not in the transparent control of official party structures but were instead allegedly handled by individuals operating outside recognised procedures.

According to him, these individuals were widely perceived within the party as “anti-democratic elements” who had allegedly taken control of key party processes.

“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 said.

Onjeh stressed that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as weakness, but as a principled stand against actions capable of undermining internal democracy and public confidence in the party.

He further alleged that, despite a general timetable for primaries, there was no clear schedule for Benue South, particularly regarding ward-level commencement and the publication of returning officers.

He added that many stakeholders believed established democratic procedures and party guidelines were being disregarded without accountability.

Onjeh also claimed that influential individuals within the party structure appeared to wield excessive control over operations, allegedly weakening internal governance.

He said even the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, appeared constrained in managing the situation due to the influence of such actors.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from officials of the Benue State APC chapter were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.