The National Assembly primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have triggered fresh controversy within the party, with allegations of electoral manipulation, imposition of candidates, and “allocated results” deepening internal divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The crisis emerged despite earlier reconciliation efforts among party stakeholders, with conflicting interpretations of agreements reached during a peace meeting in Makurdi.
While the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reportedly insisted that President Bola Tinubu’s directive favoured consensus-based automatic tickets for some serving lawmakers and the governor, Governor Hyacinth Alia countered that no such arrangement was approved by the party leadership.
According to Alia, both the APC national leadership and the President had clearly ruled out automatic tickets for any serving elected official, stressing that all aspirants must participate in competitive primaries.
The disagreement was further worsened by a leaked communiqué from a reconciliation committee, which allegedly suggested the possibility of automatic tickets. However, the committee’s deputy chairman, Sam Ode, dismissed the report, insisting that no such resolution was ever adopted.
The fallout from the primaries has continued to generate tension across the state, with reports of dissatisfaction among aspirants and party members over the conduct of the exercise.
Some stakeholders alleged that election materials were diverted and results predetermined in favour of selected candidates, with claims that figures were “allocated” rather than voted for in certain locations.
A commercial driver involved in logistics for the exercise also alleged that materials were distributed at local government secretariats where outcomes were allegedly pre-decided.
Political analysts in the state described the process as flawed, warning that the controversy could weaken the APC’s chances in the forthcoming general elections if not properly addressed.
Despite the allegations, some party officials loyal to the state leadership maintained that the primaries were peaceful, transparent, and conducted in line with party guidelines, attributing the calm atmosphere to Governor Alia’s leadership.
However, multiple aspirants have reportedly petitioned the party’s appeal panel, citing irregularities and demanding review of the process.
As tensions persist, observers say the outcome of the primaries has exposed deeper cracks within the Benue APC, raising concerns about unity and electoral strength ahead of future contests.
