Benue APC Otukpo/Ohimini Reps primary election rocked by crisis as aspirants reject results, allege “hotel election”

By Johnson Arua

The All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives primary election for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in Benue State has been thrown into controversy as aggrieved aspirants rejected the outcome of the exercise, alleging massive irregularities, diversion of electoral materials and imposition of a preferred candidate.

Two aspirants in the contest, Lawrence Onoja Jnr and Andrew Agbo Abu, insisted that no valid primary election was conducted in the constituency, describing the process as a “selection” carried out in private.

Speaking on the disputed exercise, Onoja Jnr alleged that electoral materials meant for the primary election never reached the designated voting centres across Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas, LGAs.

According to him, the figures eventually announced by the returning officials did not reflect realities on ground.

“I was allocated 925 votes whereas in my ward alone, even with the mock activities that took place because materials did not arrive, I scored 975 votes. I got far more than that in my ward alone,” he said.

He further questioned the credibility of the results announced for the declared winner who he alleged was handed the election materials and she dished out scores to aspirants.

“At the end of the day, from the result she wrote, she gave herself 17,000 votes. But the registered APC members in both Otukpo and Ohimini are just a little above 15,000. So how did she score 17,000 votes?” he queried.

The aspirant maintained that no election took place in the federal constituency.
“I want to say categorically that there was no election whatsoever in Otukpo and Ohimini. The materials never came.

“I want to put it on recored that the materials were taken to the Deputy Governor’s house and handed over to Blessing,” he alleged.

Onoja Jnr explained that his protest was aimed at protecting democratic principles within the ruling party and not driven by personal grievances.

“We are not here out of bitterness. We are here to ensure that internal democratic processes within our party are respected.
“I have been in this party for 27 years and I have been in APC from inception. Even if there were plans for consensus or any arrangement, the leadership should have called us and discussed with us instead of allowing this kind of fraudulent process,” he said.

The aspirant also argued that the long-standing zoning arrangement between Otukpo and Ohimini for the House of Representatives seat was ignored.

“The people are angry. There was even a protest in Otukpo because many believe it is the turn of Ohimini. If Blessing is highly favoured, there are other appointments she can be given. But to shortchange Ohimini entirely in a position we rotate among ourselves is unfair,” he stated.

Onoja Jnr disclosed that he had formally petitioned the party leadership, insisting that the conduct of the exercise violated both APC and INEC regulations. “This is gross misconduct and a clear violation of APC and INEC rules. You cannot change the venue of an election without informing people. You cannot deny members their right to vote.

“Conducting primaries in a private residence or hotel makes whatever result announced null and void,” he added.

He urged the APC national leadership in Abuja to intervene and ensure justice was done. “We are appealing to the leadership in Abuja to take this matter seriously. Zoning should be respected. If zoning is respected elsewhere, why should our case be different?” he asked.

Also reacting, another aspirant, Andrew Agbo Abu, described the conduct of the exercise as a dangerous assault on democracy.

“What happened on Saturday was an aberration of democracy. Some people think they are too powerful and can take election materials to private hotels while supporters wait from morning till evening without voting,” Abu said.

He warned that such actions could negatively affect the fortunes of the APC in future elections.

“My appeal to the APC National leadership and Mr. President is that this kind of injustice cannot be sustained. We have lived peacefully over the years with an understanding that the House of Representatives seat rotates between Otukpo and Ohimini. For somebody to suddenly hijack the process midway is not healthy for democracy and not healthy for APC,” he said.

Abu further cautioned that imposition of candidates through alleged manipulation could trigger resentment among party members at the grassroots.

“You cannot hijack election materials and destroy the aspirations of many people because of one preferred person. That will be resisted.

“There is a general election ahead. If the party continues like this at the grassroots, APC may suffer serious setbacks in the election,” he warned.

He insisted that what took place could not be regarded as a legitimate primary election. “As far as we are concerned in Otukpo/Ohimini, there was no election. What happened was an illegal selection.
“I urge all party faithful and supporters to ensure that what happened in Otukpo and Ohimini is never repeated again,” Abu stated.