By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Benue State have produced major political upsets, with at least five serving lawmakers failing to secure return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Peoples Daily reports that results from the primaries showed a mix of victories for some incumbents and shocking defeats for others in fiercely contested races across the state’s federal constituencies.
Among the prominent winners was serving lawmaker Austin Asema Achado, who retained influence in the Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency after emerging victorious in the APC primary election.
The party also produced several other candidates for the National Assembly race, including Livinus Tsar for Vandeikya/Konshisha, Shadrack Kohol Iormem for Kwande/Ushongo, and Christopher Ikper for Makurdi/Guma.
Others are Solomon Wombo for Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo, Ojotu Ojema for Apa/Agatu, Blessing Onuh for Otukpo/Ohimini, and Regina Akume for Gboko/Tarka.
The primaries, however, dealt heavy blows to several sitting lawmakers.
In Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, incumbent representative Terseer Ugbor lost the APC ticket to Shadrack Kohol Iormem.
Similarly, Dominic Dickson Tarkighir was defeated in the Makurdi/Guma contest by Christopher Ikper.
Another serving lawmaker, Sesoo Ikpacher, also lost his bid for re-election after Livinus Tsar clinched victory in the Konshisha/Vandeikya primary.
In Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, incumbent lawmaker David Ogewu lost the APC ticket to Peter Egbodo.
Meanwhile, in Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, serving lawmaker Philip Agbese did not participate in the APC primary after defecting to the Labour Party, leaving Anthony Agom to emerge as the party’s candidate unopposed.
