Benue: SGF’s Wife, Mark’s Daughter Secure Tickets as Seven Incumbents Lose

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Benue State recorded major upsets on Saturday as seven serving lawmakers failed to secure tickets for the 2027 general elections.

Results from the primaries conducted across the state’s 11 federal constituencies showed that only four incumbent members won renomination tickets.

Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Alhaji Sabiu Saidu Mahuta, announced the results on Sunday.

In Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Regina Akume, emerged victorious with 19,638 votes, defeating former Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Alomo Orpin, who scored 2,779 votes.

In Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, secured the APC ticket with 17,451 votes, defeating Lawrence Onoja, who polled 974 votes.

Solomon Wombo won the Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency primary with 64,274 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asom Julius, who scored 611 votes.

For Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, Peter Oko Ogbodo polled 12,993 votes to defeat incumbent lawmaker David Ogewu, who garnered 120 votes.

In Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency, David Nongo defeated serving member Asema Achado by 17,421 votes to 729.

Similarly, in Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency, Livinus Tsar defeated Sesoo Gboko with 28,549 votes against 693 votes.
Incumbent lawmaker Ojema Ojotu retained the APC ticket for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency after polling 11,305 votes, while Danladi Ochekpe secured 934 votes.

However, Dickson Tarkighir lost the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency ticket to Christopher Ikper, who polled 37,844 votes against Tarkighir’s 1,746 votes.

In Buruku Federal Constituency, Gideon Inyom defeated incumbent member Sekav Iortyom with 10,470 votes to 1,396 votes.

Former Benue State House of Assembly member for Ado Constituency, Anthony Agom, won the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency primary with 19,124 votes, defeating his rival, Innocent, who scored 884 votes.

Also, Kohol Iornem emerged victorious in Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency with 40,672 votes, defeating former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Terkimbi Ikyange, who polled 1,785 votes.

The exercise was, however, marred by incidents of violence and snatching of electoral materials in Mbanyesi and Gbemacha council wards in Gwer East, as well as Mbantyo and Mbayaca wards in Buruku Federal Constituency.

The party’s Senate primaries are scheduled to hold on Monday.