At least 20 aspirants for the various seats in the Benue State House of Assembly have been disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Assembly Screening Committee from participating in the party’s primaries for the 2027 Assembly elections.
According to the committee, the affected aspirants were screened out over non-compliance with the party’s constitution and established guidelines guiding the exercise.
The report was jointly signed by the Committee Chairman, Dr Auwalu Ishiye, and the Secretary, Barr. Tijani Abdullahi.
The party urged all affected aspirants to accept the outcome of the screening exercise in good faith and called on members to remain united as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Among those disqualified from the exercise were: Shio Keghnen Ephraim (Katsina-Ala East), Barr. Smith Enyi (Oju II),
Uhimbir T.T. (Makurdi South),
Isaac Aondohemba (Kyan),
Dugha Mark (Gboko East),
Adikpe Ojoi (Oju I),
Victor Johnson (Okpokwu),
Iyua Samuel (Makurdi South),
Varvar Titus (Ukum),
Ubii Abraham (Gboko West),
Mannaseh Kwaghlu, Elias Odoba (Apa),
Iorshase Barnabas (Gboko West), Nyitse James (Ukum),
Willaum Terhide (Buruku),
Adakole Sale (Agatu), Obor Onor (Oju II), Odeh Aaron (Oju II), Tamenor Emmanuel (Makurdi South), Kundan David (Buruku), Iko Benjamin (Buruku), Anyor Justice (Kwande West), Richard Saidu (Ukum), Andrew Tyonongo (Mbagwa), Timothy Cherem ( Tiev), Akumbur Peter (Gboko West), Nyinongu Innocent (Makurdi North), Terkula David (Katsina-Ala West) and Sebastin Ugba (Gwer West).
Two of the disqualified aspirants, Hon. Terhemen Ndiisaa of Logo State Constituency and Hon. James Nyitse of Ukum State Constituency, are loyalists of former governor Gabriel Torwua Suswam, who followed him from PDP to ADC and now to APC.
Suswam is seriously eyeing the Benue North East Senatorial seat to unseat his brother, Senator Emmanuel Udende, who is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, and oversees the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Invariably, Governor Hyacinth Alia also hails from the senatorial district, and Suswam is unarguably banking on him (Alia) to realise his dreams.
New Telegraph gathered that the outcome of the screening exercise is generating heated tension within the party, as most aggrieved members are ruminating on a possible defection to other opposition parties to fulfil their dreams.
The APC in the state has pegged the total cost for State House of Assembly expression of interest and nomination forms at N5 million. It was learnt that the 20 disqualified aspirants have paid a whopping N100 million for their forms.
Investigation further revealed that about ten (10) members of the outgoing Assembly may not return for the 11th Assembly, some due to poor performance, with others due to the battle between them and Governor Hyacinth Alia, and some reportedly vying for higher positions.
New Telegraph reports that such lawmakers who may not scale through according to findings are: Hon. Saater Tiseer (Ushongo Constituency), Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua (Konshisha), and Aondona Dajoh (immediate past Speaker).
Others are: Hon. Abraham Ajabi, Hon. Peter Uche Terwase, Hon. Agbidye Jonathan, Hon. Dyako Cephas, Hon. Anyor Mato, Hon. Dugeri Thomas and Hon.Douglas Akya, among a few others.
