Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has recorded a massive win in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election held across the state on Thursday ahead of the next governorship race.
The governor secured a total of 367,786 votes, defeating his closest rival, Mr. Terwase Ornunde, who polled 3,247 votes. Another aspirant, Mr. Jeffery Kuranun, came third with 2,923 votes.
The results were officially announced on Friday at the APC State Secretariat in Makurdi by the Returning Officer for the exercise, Prof. Mohammed Isah, who declared Alia the winner of the keenly watched primary election.
The outcome confirms Alia’s dominant position within the party structure in Benue State as preparations continue for the next general election cycle.
Prof. Isah explained that results from the primary election had earlier been declared in all the 23 Local Government Areas, or LGAs, of the state before the final collation at the state level.
According to him, “What we are declaring here is a summary of the entire results as recorded in the various LGAs of the state.”
The Returning Officer stated that Governor Alia, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast during the exercise, was duly returned as the winner in line with the constitution and electoral guidelines of the APC.
He said, “Governor Hyacinth Alia, having satisfied the requirements of the party and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the election and stands nominated as the APC governorship candidate.”
Reacting to his victory, Governor Alia thanked God and members of the APC for what he described as a renewed expression of confidence in his administration and leadership style.
The governor said, “I am an uncommon ideologist. I am for the masses, and I will remain with the masses.”
Governor Alia also commended other aspirants who participated in the primary election, describing the contest as peaceful and democratic.
He urged those who lost in the exercise to close ranks with him in the collective interest of the state, saying, “I appeal to everyone who participated in this process to join hands with us to ensure the continued growth and development of Benue State.”
The governor further highlighted some of the achievements recorded by his administration in the last three years across different sectors, assuring the people that his government would continue to pursue policies and programmes aimed at transforming the state and improving the welfare of the people.
