Alia’s Last-Ditch Move To Reverse APC Candidate List Hits Brick Wall
Governor Hyacinth Alia’s efforts to regain political influence in Benue State have reportedly suffered a major setback after his attempt to reverse the APC National Assembly candidates’ list failed.
According to findings, the Benue State governor held separate meetings on Monday with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, over the list of National Assembly candidates submitted by the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The meetings were said to be part of Alia’s attempt to challenge the candidates approved by the APC National Secretariat amid his ongoing political rivalry with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, over control of the party’s structure in Benue State.
Sources disclosed that the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by Professor Yilwatda, reviewed the outcome of the party’s National Assembly primaries in the state based on the recommendations of its Primary Election Appeal Committee.
As a result, Senator Gabriel Suswam and Benjamin Aber, who had initially emerged as candidates for the Benue North East and Benue North West Senatorial Districts, were replaced by Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam, both believed to be loyal to Senator Akume.
The revised nomination list, signed by Professor Yilwatda and the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, also replaced six House of Representatives candidates said to be allies of Governor Alia.
Those who eventually secured the party’s tickets include Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Sekav Iyortyom, Terser Ugbor, and Sesoo Ikpagher, all reportedly backed by Senator Akume.
Sources familiar with the development told Nigerian Tribune that Governor Alia visited the residence of the APC National Chairman after meeting with President Tinubu in a last-minute effort to seek a review of the list already forwarded to INEC.
However, the source said Professor Yilwatda responded diplomatically, promising to present the governor’s concerns before the National Working Committee while noting that the decision had President Tinubu’s backing and was unlikely to be changed.
The source further revealed that Governor Alia was expected to return to Abuja on Wednesday in another attempt to push for a reversal of the list.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Tribune reported that the APC National Working Committee held a meeting on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat ahead of the deadline for submitting its final list of candidates to INEC.
Author
About The Author
