Benue ADC crisis: No primary election held in Apa/Agatu — Okwu

Samson Okwu, the chairman of the Benue State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announced that no valid primary election was held in the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency. He cited violence, disruption, and the alleged hijacking of electoral materials as the reasons for the failure.

Okwu made the statement to journalists in his office on Friday, after receiving a petition from Joy Okpainmo, a House of Representatives aspirant for Apa/Agatu. Okpainmo claimed that no electoral materials were available for the exercise and that suspected thugs had taken over the venue, assaulting and harassing party members and supporters.

In response, the party chairman said a new date would be set for a fresh primary in the constituency. He urged aspirants and supporters to remain calm and assured them that all grievances arising from the failed exercise would be addressed.

“There was no primary election in Apa/Agatu,” Samson Okwu said, adding that the leadership would ensure fairness and credibility in the rescheduled exercise.

This development follows growing controversy over the conduct of the party’s primaries in the area.

Earlier, David Olofu, an ADC senatorial aspirant for Benue South Senatorial District, condemned the alleged hijacking of electoral materials during the party’s primary in Apa/Agatu. A statement signed by Friday Adakole Elijah, Secretary of the David Olofu Campaign Council, alleged that armed men intercepted the vehicle carrying the materials and the Apa Local Government ADC Chairman, Hon. Sharon Adokpe. The attackers reportedly forced the chairman out of the vehicle before fleeing with the materials to an unknown destination.

“The David Olofu Campaign Council strongly condemns the alleged forceful snatching and diversion of electoral materials intended for the African Democratic Congress primaries in Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency,” the statement read.

The campaign council maintained that no legitimate primary election took place under the circumstances and urged the state and national leadership of the African Democratic Congress to reject any result that may emerge from the disputed exercise.