Incumbent Representatives Loyal to Akume Lose APC Primaries in Benue

Several incumbent members of the House of Representatives who are known to support former Benue State Governor and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, were defeated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections for the House of Representatives that took place across parts of Benue State on Saturday.

In Konshisha Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Engr. Livinus Tsar—identified as the preferred candidate of Governor Hyacinth Alia—won a decisive victory over incumbent lawmaker Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher, an ally of Akume. Results from Mbavaa Ward in Konshisha LGA showed Tsar receiving 1,542 votes, while Ikpagher secured only five. A separate APC Federal Constituency primary in Konshisha recorded Tsar with 9,261 votes, ahead of Ikpagher’s 473, with other candidates obtaining markedly lower totals.

In Makurdi Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikper Terfa Christopher dominated one of the wards, receiving 1,802 votes, while other contenders garnered only marginal figures.

In Gwer Federal Constituency, results from several wards indicated setbacks for another serving House member and Akume loyalist, Hon. Achado. In Mbabur Ward, Nongo polled 988 votes against Achado’s two, with Usar receiving 11. At Mbasombo Ward, Nongo secured 732 votes while Achado collected 53. In Ikwe Ward, Nongo obtained 668 votes, with Achado recording 59.

The APC primary in Oju/Obi Federal Constituency was marked by tension, with concerns about parallel declarations of winners from rival party factions. Similar tensions were reported in Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, where Hon. Ikper Terfa Christopher again emerged dominant in one ward with 1,802 votes, while other candidates recorded minimal votes.

In Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, the exercise was disrupted by protests following the alleged disappearance of the three local government APC chairmen from Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo with the election results. Eyewitnesses claimed that heavily armed men stormed the venue and dispersed party members and supporters, creating confusion at the collation centre. The situation reportedly allowed suspected political thugs to conduct extensive thumb‑printing around the Okpoga Roundabout area under the watch of security personnel.

In Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, Regina Akume—wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation—won after her opponent reportedly withdrew from the race.

Other reported winners include:

Buruku Federal Constituency – Alex Adding

Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency – Regina Akume

Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency – Orwough Maurice

Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency – Engr. Terhemba Nongo

Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency – Prof. Kohol Iornem

Katsina‑Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency – Solomon Wombo

Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency – Chief Engr. Livinus Tsar

Despite the results, supporters of the SGF reportedly insisted on the reinstatement of sitting lawmakers, arguing that such a move would align with President Bola Tinubu’s alleged directive on continuity for National Assembly members.