Catholic Priest Again Beats Gemade, Lawani, Ode In APC Guber Rerun Primary
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has again won the governorship primary rerun election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 12 local government areas and 3 council wards in Benue State.
Announcing the results on Thursday, 9th June, 2022 at the APC State secretariat in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Chairman of the rerun committee, Mr Joel Omajali, said a total number of 366,546 voters were registered, 292,930 accredited, a total of 270,353 votes were validly cast while Rev. Fr. Alia polled 195,314 votes to come out victorious.
According to Omajali, Prof. Terhemba Shija scored 1,859, Terlumun Ikya 2,746, Bernard Yisa 338, Mathias Byuan 14,152, Sam Ode 21,698, Godwin Ityoachimin 860, Barnabas Gemade 3,831, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa 3,517, Herman Iorwase Hembe 720, Terwase Orbunde 1,393, Steven Lawani 23,925 and Ayom Mlanga, 0000.
The rerun was conducted in Ogbadibo, Ushongo, Konshisha, Oju, Apa, Kwande, Agatu, Ohimini, Ado, Obi, Okpokwu and Apa Local Government Areas.
Secretary of the Committee, Emma Maji, described the Rerun election as free, fair and credible.
Shortly after the declaration of results, State Deputy Chairman of the party, Hon. Stephen Tsav on behalf of the State Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, presided over a congress that affirmed the outcome of the rerun gubernatorial primary election.
The Benue APC had conducted its governorship primary election on the 27th May, 2022 with Alia as the winner. But some aspirants including Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Mike Aõndoakaa, Dr Mathias Byuan, Chief Stephen Lawani and Prof. Terhemba Shija wrote a petition to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, calling for cancellation of the election and pointed out various electoral malpractices. Consequently, the NWC ordered for a rerun in 12 local government areas which was accordingly held on the 8th and 9th June, 2022 with Alia maintained his landslide victory.- National Record.
