APC Benue Disqualifies 20+ Aspirants for 2027 House Primaries

BENUE—The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has announced that more than twenty aspirants have been barred from contesting the party’s primaries for the 2027 State House of Assembly elections. The decision was disclosed in a report issued by the State Assembly Screening Committee, which said the disqualifications resulted from failure to comply with the party’s guidelines and constitution. The screening panel, chaired by Dr. Auwalu Ishiye and assisted by Secretary Barr. Tijani Abdullahi, released the names of the aspirants who did not meet the required standards. Among those excluded are Shio Keghnen Ephraim of Katsina‑Ala East, Smith Enyi of Oju II, and Uhimbir T.T. of Makurdi South. Other notable names include Isaac Aondohemba Kyan, Dugha Mark of Gboko East, Adikpe Ojoi of Oju I, Victor Johnson of Okpokwu, Iyua Samuel of Makurdi South, and Varvar Titus of Ukum. The list also features Ubii Abraham from Gboko West, Mannaseh Kwaghlu, Elias Odoba of Apa, Iorshase Barnabas of Gboko West, Nyitse James of Ukum, and Willaum Terhide of Buruku. Additional aspirants barred from the process are Adakole Sale of Agatu, Obor Onor, Odeh Aaron and Tamenor Emmanuel, all from Oju II, as well as Kundan David, Iko Benjamin and Richard Saidu of Buruku, Kwande West’s Anyor Justice, and Andrew Tyonongo Mbagwa. The committee’s report further named Timothy Cherem Tiev, Akumbur Peter of Gboko West, Nyiongu Innocent of Makurdi North, Terkula David of Katsina‑Ala West, and Sebastin Ugba of Gwer West as part of the disqualified cohort. The comprehensive list underscores the party’s strict enforcement of internal regulations ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. In a statement released shortly after the report’s publication, the Benue State APC urged the affected aspirants to respect the outcomes of the screening exercise. Party officials emphasized the need for unity as the organization prepares for the nationwide general elections slated for 2027. “We trust that all members will accept the decision of the Screening Committee and continue to work together for the party’s success,” the statement read. Party leaders also called on members to focus on the upcoming primaries, stressing that adherence to procedural standards is essential for credibility and electoral competitiveness. The APC’s stance reflects a broader effort across Nigerian political parties to tighten internal democratic processes and avoid legal challenges that have plagued previous election cycles. The disqualifications come at a time when political parties are intensifying grassroots mobilization and candidate selection ahead of the next general elections. Observers note that the Benue APC’s move may influence similar screening exercises in other states, where compliance with party constitutions is increasingly scrutinised. As the primaries approach, the remaining aspirants will vie for tickets in contested constituencies, while the excluded candidates may seek legal redress or explore alternative political platforms. The developments in Benue are likely to shape the APC’s performance in the state, a key battleground in Nigeria’s highly contested legislative landscape.