Benue APC Primary: Gov Alia secures landslide victory, clinches 2027 governorship ticket

Governor Hyacinth Alia has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State after recording a decisive victory in the party’s primary election held across the state.

The incumbent governor polled 367,786 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Terwase Ornunde, who secured 3,247 votes, while Jeffrey Kuranun garnered 2,923 votes.

The result was announced on Friday at the APC State Secretariat in Makurdi by the Returning Officer, Mohammed Isah, following the collation of results from the 23 local government areas of the state.

According to Prof. Isah, Governor Alia overwhelmingly won the exercise after results had earlier been declared at the local government level before final collation at the state headquarters.

“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,” he announced.

Reacting to the outcome, Governor Alia expressed gratitude to God and APC members for what he described as a renewed vote of confidence in his administration.

“I am an uncommon ideologist. I am for the masses, and I will remain with the masses,” the governor said.

He also commended his fellow aspirants for participating in what he described as a peaceful and democratic process, urging them and their supporters to unite behind the party ahead of the next governorship election.

“I appeal to everyone who participated in this process to join hands with us to ensure the continued growth and development of Benue State,” he stated.

The governor further highlighted achievements recorded by his administration over the past three years and pledged to continue implementing policies aimed at improving infrastructure, governance, and the welfare of the people of Benue State.