Benue APC Primaries: David Mark’s Daughter, SGF’s Wife Secure Return Tickets as Six Reps Lose Out

By Benjamin GBOR

Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also retaining the party’s ticket is Mrs Regina Akume, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, for the Gboko/Tarka federal constituency seat.

The APC conducted direct primary elections on Saturday across the 11 federal constituencies in Benue State’s 23 local government areas.

The exercise produced major upsets as six serving members of the House of Representatives lost their bids to return to the National Assembly. Five of the affected lawmakers are said to be allies of SGF Senator George Akume, while many of the victorious candidates were reportedly backed by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Among those who failed to secure the party’s ticket were Dickson Tarkghir (Makurdi/Guma), Sesoo Gboko (Vandeikya/Konshisha), Asema Achado (Gwer East/Gwer West), Ugbor Terseer (Kwande/Ushongo), Sekav Iortyom (Buruku), and David Ogewu (Oju/Obi).

However, some lawmakers successfully retained their tickets. They include Regina Akume for Gboko/Tarka, Blessing Onuh for Otukpo/Ohimini, Ojema Ojotu for Apa/Agatu, and Solomon Wombo for Katsina-Ala/Logo/Ukum federal constituency.

In Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency, Anthony Agom secured the APC ticket after the incumbent lawmaker, Philip Agbese, defected from the party to the Labour Party shortly before the primaries.

Elsewhere, Engr. Terfa Ikya defeated incumbent Dickson Tarkghir in Makurdi/Guma, while Engr. Terhemba Nongo emerged victorious in Gwer East/Gwer West, unseating Asema Achado.

Prof. Kohol Iornem won the Kwande/Ushongo contest ahead of serving lawmaker Ugbor Terseer, while Engr. Livinus Tsar defeated Sesoo Gboko in Vandeikya/Konshisha.

In Buruku federal constituency, Gideon Inyom defeated incumbent Sekav Iortyom to clinch the ticket. The exercise in the area was reportedly disrupted by the snatching of result sheets in one ward, although security operatives later restored calm and arrested a suspect. There were also allegations that a presiding officer failed to submit results from another ward.

At the Oju/Obi primary, former Benue State Commissioner for Information, Dr Peter Egbodo, defeated incumbent lawmaker David Ogewu. Egbodo recently resigned from Governor Alia’s administration before joining the race.

Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Benue State, Alhaji Sabiu Saidu Mahuta, declared the winners after the collation of results and urged all contestants to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith, stressing that the party remained united despite the contest.

 THE BEAGLE NEWS