Benue APC Crisis: State Assembly Tickets Split Between Akume, Alia Camps

Amid the protacted crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume’s camps have shared the 37 State House of Assembly nomination tickets.

Governor Alia got 24 APC state Assembly candidates, while Akume clinched 13 for his loyalists.

According to the official list released by the APC, 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 Benue North West Senatorial District and got a few slots from the other two zones.

Presenting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to 24 APC State House of Assembly candidates loyal to him, Governor Alia urged them to remain true ambassadors of the party.

Taking to his verified facebook page yesterday, 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” Alia said.

On his part, in a statement issued by the state publicity secretary of APC, Benedict Yawe indicated that 24 of 37 candidates received their INEC nomination forms from Governor Alia.

He called on the 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 its 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.