Bye-election: APC kicks as Alia suspends party’s primary in Benue

Controversy has trailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Benue State after Governor Hyacinth Alia suspended the exercise intended to pick a candidate for the February 4 by-election to fill a vacancy in the State House of Assembly.

Our correspondent reports that the vacancy for the seat of Guma 1 state constituency was created by Dr. Yamar Ortese who was appointed Commissioner for Health and Human Services in the state.

Alia, however, at a press conference in Makurdi om Saturday claimed that the exercise could not hold because it was marred by threats and hijacked by some party stakeholders who were neither from Guma LGA or expected to participate in the election.

But spokesman of APC in the state, Morgan Ihomun, said the governor cannot suspend an exercise already carried out by the party “in an orderly manner.”

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Earlier, the governor flanked by security chiefs in the state said Saturday was actually set aside to conduct a delegate primary but was marred by threats from irate youths.

“Security of state remains paramount to us. Today (Saturday), the APC is to conduct primary but it was marred by misconduct and this posed insecurity in Guma. It became imperative to calm the irate youth.

“Party stakeholders felt disenchanted. I would not want any semblance of insecurity in the state. I suspend the delegate primary. Sad enough the party faithful came out but were stopped at the gate by people who do not belong to the local government; all stakeholders were locked out and youths became angry. Party faithful must help keep the peace in the state.

“I do not want any bloodshed as people get sensational and sentimental about politics. I have asked the security operatives to ensure that there is no break down of law and order. I know that the national working committee of our party will do all to ensure that the right thing is done,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, the APC spokesman, Morgan, insisted that the primary election had held and a candidate emerged to fly the party ticket during the forthcoming by-election.

He said, “The question we should be asking is that, does the governor have the power to suspend the primary election?”