APC gives nod to 81 Benue House of Representatives hopefuls as key primary elections approach

A total of 81 aspirants from Benue State, seeking to run for House of Representatives seats on the All Progressives Congress, APC, platform, have been given the green light by the party's screening committee, ahead of today's congresses and primaries, with all serving members from the state successfully passing the screening process.

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The list of cleared aspirants, which was obtained in Makurdi, reveals that the current lawmakers will participate in the exercise, alongside other new aspirants vying to represent their respective constituencies under the APC banner.

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According to party sources, the screening exercise adhered to the APC's guidelines for candidate selection, in preparation for the upcoming elections, with the screening committee deeming the aspirants qualified to take part in the primaries.

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A party official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the screening process was both peaceful and transparent, with all serving lawmakers from Benue State, as well as fresh aspirants, being cleared to participate in the primaries.

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Despite the aspirants being cleared, the primaries are still surrounded by uncertainty, as essential materials had not arrived in several wards at the time of reporting, sparking concerns among party members in Makurdi LGA about the potential disruption to the congresses.

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Party members in parts of Makurdi LGA expressed concerns over the delay in material distribution, warning that it could hinder the smooth conduct of the congresses, while also voicing worries about the lack of consensus among aspirants and party leadership.

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Indications suggest that no consensus arrangement was reached between aspirants and the party leadership prior to the commencement of the exercise, paving the way for fiercely contested primaries in most constituencies, with no official reaction from the Benue APC leadership on the issues at the time of reporting.

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Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Benue APC leadership regarding the delay in material distribution and the absence of consensus arrangements were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.