Benue APC panel clears 11 of 50 disqualified candidates

The Appeal Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has reinstated 11 aspirants who had been previously barred from participating in the party’s House of Assembly primaries.

The decision came after the committee reviewed 50 appeals filed by candidates who were dissatisfied with the initial screening results.

In a statement released on Thursday, APC State Organising Secretary James Ornguga announced that 11 appeals were successful, allowing those candidates to advance to the primaries. The remaining 39 appeals were rejected, as the committee upheld the disqualifications for failing to meet party guidelines.

The panel said it carefully examined written petitions, supporting documents, and oral testimonies before reaching its conclusions.

Abubakar Lawal chaired the appeal committee, with Ade Adetimehin acting as secretary and Ahmed Murtala assisting.

Earlier in Makurdi, the APC screening committee had disqualified about 50 of the 148 aspirants contesting for seats in the Benue State House of Assembly, citing breaches of party rules and constitutional requirements.

Reports indicated that several incumbent lawmakers successfully passed the screening process.

Among those initially disqualified were Wisdom Dominic (Otukpo/Ohimini), Ndiisaa Terhemen (Logo), Ologbo Edwin (Oju II), John Ogbu (Oju I), Patrick Ogwuche (Okpokwu), Ezekiel Elaigwu (Agatu), and Dr. Ukan Emmanuel (Gwer East).

Other disqualified candidates included Stephen Abanga (Ukum), Aondover Utsaha (Guma I), Shawo Aondoana (Kwande East), Agana Raphael (Oju II), Odeje Okoh (Ohimini), Agbeje Martins (Oju II), and Uko Solomon (Gaav).

Meanwhile, Daniel Ihomun, a supporter of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said that all aspirants aligned with his political group were cleared during the screening exercise.