On Friday, May 15, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, will vote to nominate their candidates for the January 2027 National Assembly election. The exercise will be conducted concurrently across the 11 Federal Constituencies of Benue State.
The tenure of the current elected officials will expire between May 29 and June 8 next year. By the operation of Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2), and 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, it is mandatory that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts elections for executives and the legislature not later than 30 days, before the expiration of the term of office of the holders.
In compliance with these provisions, INEC activated its enabling Act, the Electoral Act (2026 as amended), which requires political parties to present candidates for the said elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) starts with the House of Representatives this Friday. Senate, May 18, State House of Assembly, May 20, Governorship, May 21, and Presidential, May 23. The conduct of the primaries, including the resolution of any disputes arising from them, is expected to conclude on May 30.
Mr Agwa is of the view that, now that the Electoral Act (2026 as amended) has done away with delegates, it is incumbent on party members to nominate only candidates who align with the progressive ideals of the Fr. Alia administration. Doing otherwise, Mr Agwa says, would be counterproductive, as evidenced by the outgoing electoral cycle.
According to Mr Agwa, the APC primaries in Benue State should not be about loyalty to XYZ; they should be about preparedness and capacity for service and the actualisation of the Benue dream.
“Let me give you a few examples of aspirants to look out for,” Mr Agwa told TNT.
“Look at Prof Kohol Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo, for instance. Sir Alex Addingi in Buruku, and Dickson Tarkighir in Makurdi/Guma. These are aspirants whose antecedents are known. Aspirants whose capacity is not in doubt.
“So my advice as the party goes to primaries is for those who are going to vote to critically examine the aspirants and not just vote because someone is seeking reelection, or it is our turn, and so this one is closer to me. Vote pedigree. Vote capacity. Vote for a greater and prosperous Benue,” he counselled.
Mr Agwa was particular about those seeking reelection. He contends that they alienated themselves from the people who voted them into office, only to come back at the eleventh hour, seeking their mandate again.
