By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Friday declared Governor Hyacinth Alia winner of the party’s governorship primary election in Benue State.
Chairman and Chief Returning Officer of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Kabiru Mohammed who announced the result at the party secretariat in Makurdi, said Alia polled 367,786 votes to defeat his challengers, Jeffrey Kuraun who secured 2,923 votes, while Terwase Orbunde scored 3,247 votes respectively.
The declaration ended days of speculation over Alia’s participation after rumours circulated on social media that his name was missing from the list of screened aspirants; a development the APC primary electoral committee later clarified that the governor had been duly cleared for the election.
After the announcement, Solomon Wombo, member representing Katsina-Ala/Logo/Ukum Federal Constituency and representative of Benue North-East Senatorial District, moved a motion for the affirmation of the result in line with APC guidelines.
The motion was seconded by former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and former ambassador, Terhemen Tarzoor, who said the outcome reflected the will of APC members across the state.
Wilfred Adagene who spoke on behalf of Benue South Senatorial District also known as Zone C, equally affirmed the motion, describing the declaration as a true reflection of what transpired during the primary.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Alia thanked God and the people of Benue for giving him another opportunity to serve.
“I am grateful to God for His benevolence and for the opportunity to continue serving Benue State,” he said.
He commended the other aspirants for participating and thanked President Bola Tinubu and the APC national leadership for ensuring a transparent process, stressing that the result had laid to rest all anxieties and disputes around the contest.
Alia noted that his administration’s investments in roads, hospitals, and other infrastructure had not gone unnoticed, adding that he was encouraged by the support shown by the people.
“When we were building hospitals and constructing roads, I did not know the people of Benue were watching and appreciative,” he said.
He assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens and create employment opportunities, noting that many young people were already benefiting from companies established under his government.
The governor who described Benue as a stronghold of the APC, called the people to keep supporting his administration and President Tinubu to remain in power in order to consolidate on their achievements.