By Emmanuel Antswen
Governor Dr Hyacinth Alia of Benue has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.
Announcing the result at the party secretariat on Friday in Makurdi, Chairman of the primary election committee, Prof. Muhammad Isah, said Alia secured the highest number of votes cast in the exercise.
Isah said three aspirants, Alia, Jeffrey Kuranun, and Terwase Orbunde, contested for the party’s governorship ticket.
According to him, Alia polled 367,786 votes to defeat Kuranun, who scored 2,923 votes, while Orbunde secured 3,247 votes.
He subsequently declared Alia the winner, having scored the highest number of votes cast and met all requirements for the conduct of the election.
The committee chairman described the exercise as hitch-free and commended party members across the state for their large turnout.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Mr Benjamin Omale, commended members for their cooperation and peaceful conduct throughout the primaries.
Omale also praised the election committee for what he described as a transparent and fair process.
In his acceptance speech, Alia pledged to work closely with his co-contestants and promote unity within the party.
The governor said the outcome of the primaries had settled anxieties within the APC in the state.
He congratulated his fellow aspirants, stressing that there was neither a victor nor a vanquished in the contest.
“It is my hope that your support will continue. As I have already pledged, we will continue to bring progress, development, and human capacity advancement to our people.
“For those who may feel aggrieved following the recently concluded House of Representatives, senatorial, state assembly, and governorship primaries, I sincerely appeal to you to search your hearts.
“Let us find common ground to support one another and continue serving the people of Benue State,” he said.
Alia stated that his administration had embarked on massive road construction projects and improved healthcare, education, infrastructure, and employment opportunities across the state.
He also pledged to employ more teachers in the final year of his first term.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s nomination was subsequently affirmed by party leaders from the three senatorial districts of the state. (NAN)
