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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The political camp of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, suffered a major setback in the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primaries in Benue State as six of his loyalists lost their re-election bids.
The primaries, conducted across the state on Saturday, exposed the deepening power struggle within the Benue APC between supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Akume political bloc.
Results announced by the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee in Makurdi showed that candidates aligned with Governor Alia dominated most of the contests, defeating several serving lawmakers believed to be loyal to the SGF.
Among the notable casualties were Austin Achado of Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Dickson Tarkighir of Makurdi/Guma, Terseer Ugbor of Kwande/Ushongo, David Ogewu of Oju/Obi, and Sekav Iyortyom of Buruku Federal Constituency, all of whom failed to secure return tickets.
Despite the losses suffered by Akume’s camp, his wife, Regina Akume, retained the APC ticket for the Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency after emerging victorious in her primary contest.
Also emerging successful was Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, who won the APC ticket for the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.
Other winners in the primaries included Ojotu Ojema for Apa/Agatu, Gideon Inyom for Buruku, Terhemba Nongo for Gwer East/Gwer West, Peter Ogbodo for Oju/Obi, and Anthony Agom for Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency. Most of the victorious candidates are believed to be loyal to Governor Alia.
The outcome is seen as a major political triumph for the governor’s camp and a significant weakening of Akume’s influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The primaries also appeared to put to rest earlier claims that President Bola Tinubu had approved automatic tickets for serving lawmakers. Governor Alia had publicly insisted that no aspirant would receive an automatic ticket, stressing that all candidates must go through the primary process.