Benue APC Crisis: Alia Gets 24 State Assembly Candidates, Akume Picks 13

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State may have taken a new dimension  as Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume’s camps shared thirty seven State House of Assembly nominations tickets.

Governor Alia got twenty four APC state Assembly candidates, while Akume clinched thirteen for his loyalists.

According to the official list released by the APC, governor Alia secured more tickets in Benue South senatorial district popularly known as Zone C followed by his Zone B Benue North East.

On the other hand, Akume’s APC camp dominated Zone B Benue North West senatorial District and got few slots from the other two zones.

Presenting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to twenty four APC State House of Assembly candidates loyal to him, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, urged them to remain true ambassadors of the party.

Taking to his verified facebook page on Sunday, Alia said, “Today, I officially presented INEC Nomination Forms to our APC candidates for the Benue State House of Assembly at the APC Secretariat, Makurdi.

I congratulate all our candidates and urge them to remain true ambassadors of our great party by engaging our people with humility, integrity, and a clear vision for effective representation in the pursuit of a better Benue”

On his part, in a statement issued by State Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State Chapter, Benedict Yawe, indicated that only twenty four out of thirty seven received their INEC nomination forms from Governor Alia.

The statement, however, called on party members to work together for APC victory, “This is the time to close ranks, strengthen our bonds, and intensify efforts toward securing overwhelming victories for all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections”

“Their emergence is a clear reflection of the confidence reposed in their capacity to provide purposeful representation, uphold the ideals of the APC, and advance the collective aspirations of the people of Benue State and Nigeria at large” Yawe stated.

Confirming the development within the APC with LEADERSHIP on telephone, the spokesperson of Akume’s APC camp, Dan-Morgan Ihomun, stated, “The APC national secretariat in his wisdom gave INEC nomination forms for those who won the State Assembly primaries in Benue State. Those who are loyal to SGF George Akume received their INEC forms from the SGF, while those loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia received their INEC nomination forms from the governor” he said.

Recall that, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had recently overturned the results of some National Assembly primaries conducted in Benue State, replacing candidates believed to be loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia with aspirants aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),George Akume.
The development followed petitions submitted to the party’s appeal committee by aggrieved aspirants who had challenged the outcome of the primaries conducted earlier by the party.

Among the major changes, the APC reversed the results of the Benue North-East and Benue North-West senatorial primaries, restoring the tickets of incumbent senators, Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam, both Akume’s allies.

The party had also made changes in some House of Representatives contests, with candidates backed by the Akume political camp replacing those initially declared winners during the primaries.