Regina Akume and Blessing Onuh clinch tickets amid an intensifying internal power struggle.
The internal power struggle within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reached a fever pitch over the weekend as six serving members of the House of Representatives lost their re-election bids in the party’s primaries.
The outcome is widely seen as a major political victory for Governor Hyacinth Alia in his prolonged supremacy battle with his predecessor and current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. Most of the defeated incumbents are staunch allies of the SGF.
The results, announced Sunday in Makurdi by the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee Chairman, Sabiu Mahuta, also signaled a rejection of the SGF’s recent proposal for “automatic tickets” for serving lawmakers.
### High-Profile Casualties
The primary elections, conducted across the state on Saturday, saw several heavyweights fall to challengers reportedly backed by the Governor.
Among those who failed to secure return tickets are:
Austin Achado Gwer East/Gwer West): Lost to Terhemba Nongo (17,429 to 729 votes) David Ogewu Oju/Obi): Defeated by Peter Ogbodo, a former commissioner in Alia’s cabinet, Dickson Tarkighir Makurdi/Guma): Lost to Christopher Ikper, who polled 37,844 votes.
Sekav Iyortyom ( Buruku): Lost to Gideon Inyom Sesoo Ikpagher( Vandeikya/Konshisha): Lost to Livinus Tsar, Terseer Ugbor** (Kwande/Ushongo): Defeated by Professor Kohol Iormem.
Akume’s Wife, Mark’s Daughter Secure Victories
Despite the setbacks for the SGF’s camp, his wife, **Regina Akume**, successfully retained her ticket for the Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency with 19,638 votes.
Also securing a victory was **Blessing Onuh**, the daughter of former Senate President David Mark. Mrs. Onuh clinched the ticket for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency with 17,451 votes.
Other incumbents who survived the wave include Ojotu Ojema (Apa/Agatu) and **Solomon Wombo** (Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo). In the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu constituency, **Anthony Agom** emerged as the winner following the defection of the incumbent, Philip Agbese, to the Labour Party.
Automatic Ticket Controversy
The primaries have effectively neutralized a recent push by SGF George Akume for incumbents to be granted automatic return tickets. During a reconciliation meeting weeks ago, Akume claimed President Bola Tinubu had directed that all elected officials be allowed to retain their tickets.
However, Governor Alia had publicly countered this, insisting that both the President and the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, favored an open, democratic process. The weekend’s results appear to have reinforced the Governor’s position and consolidated his influence over the party structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Allegations of Irregularities
The process was not without friction. Committee Chairman Sabiu Mahuta noted that while the winners satisfied party guidelines, security concerns and logistics delayed the collation process.
Reports of disruption surfaced in several areas. In Buruku and Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu, party members alleged that election materials and results were snatched by armed men. In Oju/Obi, tension remained high as rival camps reportedly attempted to make parallel declarations.
Despite these skirmishes, the committee maintained that the declared results reflect the will of the party members in the state.
