Benue APC Primaries: Governor Alia’s Camp Triumphs Over Akume’s Faction; Wives and Daughters of Political Heavyweights Secure Tickets
The political landscape in Benue State has been dramatically reshaped following the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday. In a decisive outcome, the camp loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia has emerged victorious over the faction aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. This internal party contest, marked by high stakes and intense lobbying, has not only determined the party’s standard-bearers for the upcoming general elections but also exposed deep fissures within the state’s ruling party.
Key Winners: The Alia Faction Dominates
The chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee in Benue State, Alhaji Sabiu Mahuta, announced the results on Sunday at the party secretariat in Makurdi. The list of winners reads as a clear endorsement of Governor Alia’s political machinery. Among the successful candidates are:
- Ojotu Ojema (Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency) – A serving member who retained his ticket.
- Terfa Ikper (Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency)
- Gideon Inyom (Buruku Federal Constituency)
- Engr. Terhemba Nongo (Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency)
- Professor Kohol Iormem (Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency)
- Solomon Wombo (Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency) – Another incumbent who successfully defended his seat.
- Livinus Tsar (Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency)
- Dr. Peter Ogbodo (Oju/Obi Federal Constituency)
- Anthony Agom (Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency)
All of these candidates are publicly known as supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia, signaling a consolidation of his influence over the party’s legislative ticket distribution.
High-Profile Casualties: Akume’s Loyalists Defeated
The primaries were not without significant upsets. Several prominent figures aligned with the SGF, George Akume, lost their bids for re-election. Notable losers include:
- Dzua Yortyom (Buruku Federal Constituency)
- Dickson Tarkighir (Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency)
- Austin Achado (Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency)
- Sesoo Ikpacher (Konshisha/Vandeikya Federal Constituency)
- Terseer Ugbor (Kwande/Ushongo) – A serving member who lost his seat.
- David Ogewo (Oju/Obi Federal Constituency) – Another incumbent who failed to secure the ticket.
This outcome represents a significant political setback for Senator Akume, who had been leveraging his position as SGF to influence the primaries. The defeat of his loyalists underscores the growing rift between the governor and the SGF, two of the most powerful political figures in Benue State.
Notable Survivors: Akume’s Wife and Mark’s Daughter Secure Tickets
Despite the overall defeat of the Akume faction, two high-profile women with strong political dynasties managed to secure their tickets:
Mrs. Regina Akume (Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency)
The wife of the SGF, Mrs. Regina Akume, who is also a serving member of the House of Representatives, won her primary. Her victory is a testament to her personal political strength and the enduring influence of the Akume name in the Gboko/Tarka area. It also provides a lifeline for the Akume faction, ensuring they retain a voice in the National Assembly.
Blessing Onuh (Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency)
Blessing Onuh, the daughter of former Senate President David Mark (who is the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC), also won her primary. She contested alongside three other aspirants and emerged victorious. Her win highlights the cross-party influence of the Mark family and the ability of political dynasties to transcend party lines. It also demonstrates that while the Alia camp dominated, they could not completely erase the influence of established political families.
The ‘Automatic Ticket’ Controversy: A Battle of Directives
The primaries were overshadowed by a heated dispute over the issue of automatic tickets. Senator George Akume had, during a peace and reconciliation meeting held in Makurdi a few weeks prior, claimed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all serving members of the state and National Assembly, including the governor, be given automatic tickets. This directive, if implemented, would have effectively canceled the primaries and protected incumbents from challenges.
However, Governor Hyacinth Alia swiftly countered this claim. In a public response, the governor stated that the issue of automatic tickets was beyond him and the SGF. He stressed that both President Tinubu and the national chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, had insisted there would be no automatic ticket for any aspirant in the primary election. This contradiction exposed a clear power struggle between the governor and the SGF, with the governor ultimately prevailing by forcing open, competitive primaries.
Deeper Analysis: What This Means for Benue Politics
This primary outcome is more than just a list of winners and losers. It signals a fundamental shift in the balance of power within the Benue APC. Governor Alia, who has been in office for less than two years, has successfully asserted his authority over the party machinery, defeating the more established Akume faction. This victory will likely embolden the governor as he seeks to implement his agenda and consolidate his control ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For Senator Akume, the loss is a major blow. As SGF, he is the highest-ranking Benue indigene in the federal government, but this result shows that federal influence does not always translate to local control. The defeat of his loyalists may force him to recalibrate his political strategy, possibly seeking alliances with other factions or focusing on retaining his influence through his wife’s seat and other indirect channels.
The success of Regina Akume and Blessing Onuh also underscores the enduring role of political dynasties in Nigerian politics. While the Alia camp won the battle, these two women represent the resilience of established political families. Their victories ensure that the Akume and Mark names will continue to resonate in the National Assembly, even as the governor’s camp celebrates its broader triumph.
Practical Implications for Voters
For the average voter in Benue State, these primaries mean that the APC candidates for the House of Representatives are now largely aligned with Governor Alia. This could lead to a more unified legislative agenda at the state level, but it also raises questions about internal democracy and the influence of money and power in the selection process. Voters should pay close attention to how these candidates perform in the general election and whether they will prioritize constituency development over party loyalty.
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