The Benue State All Progressives Congress, APC, has adopted direct primaries as its method to elect the party’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
The decision was a unanimous agreement taken by stakeholders of the party during a critical meeting held on Sunday in Makurdi, the State’s capital.
Stakeholders of the party drawn from Benue North East, Benue North West, and Benue South Senatorial Districts supported the option for the conduct of primaries in all positions in the party.
About eight governorship aspirants of the party, including the recently suspended Catholic Priest of Gboko Diocese, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, attended and endorsed abiding by the method.
However, the meeting was boycotted by four key governorship aspirants, including former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, Senator Barnabas Gemade, and a former Deputy Governor, Ochagu Steven Lawani, and a three-time member of the House of Representatives, Herman Hembe.
The Minister of Special Duties and Leader of APC in the State, Senator George Akume, promised not to interfere in determining who becomes a candidate, a situation he regretted affected the party in the past.
He assured that the people could choose the candidates they wanted.
“I made mistakes by interfering in choosing candidates for our dear party in the past, but I will never do it anymore,” Akume promised.
He expressed delight that the party had paraded the best aspirants qualified to lead in the various positions they are contesting.
State Chairman of the party, Comrade Austin Agada, maintained that they adopted the direct primaries to avoid crisis and litigations.
He emphasised that the direct primaries adopted were also to promote internal democracy in the State’s party and avoid internal wrangling among the contestants.
E/Suzan O.
