..As incumbent Senators fall in Benue primaries
Former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam has secured the All Progressives Congress ticket for Benue North East (Zone A) after defeating the incumbent Senator, Emmanuel Udende and other aspirants in the party’s primary election.
Announcing the results on Tuesday at the APC secretariat in Makurdi, Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Benue State, Sabiu Mahuta, said Suswam polled 131,083 votes, while Udende received 1,364 votes.
Other aspirants recorded the following votes: Takula D. Pepe- 7,304; Cephas Tushima-4,424; Fidelis Unongo-865; Mlanga Ayum-588 while Uta Stephen polled 138.
“I, Sabiu Mahuta, chairman of the Senatorial Primary Election Committee, hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the Benue State Senatorial Primary Election held on the 18th day of May, 2026.
“Gabriel Suswam, having satisfied the requirement of APC constitution and the guidelines, and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and is returned nominated as a party senatorial candidate for Benue North East. This declaration is dated today, Tuesday 19th day of May, 2026, signed by me, the Electoral Returning Officer”, he said.
In Benue North West, Aber Benjamin, a retired customs officer and husband of the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Deborah Aber, emerged winner. He defeated the serving Senator representing the zone, Titus Zam and other contenders to clinch the ticket, polling 93,412 votes against Zam’s 2,763. Others include, Dave Awuna, 21,731; Votes Emmanuel Jime, 5,435 votes; while Raymond Anger scored 1,527 votes.
“I, Sabiu Mahuta, Chairman of the Senatorial Primary Election Committee, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer of the Benue States Senatorial Primary Election held on the 18th day of May, 2026.
“Aber Benjamin, having satisfied the requirement for APC constitution and guidelines and having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and returned nominated as the APC Senatorial Candidate for Benue Northwest Senatorial District. This declaration is dated today, Tuesday 19th day of May, 2026, signed by me, the Electoral Returning Officer”,
For Benue South, former House of Representatives member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu, Francis Ottah Agbo, won the senatorial primary with 58,760 votes. He defeated Daniel Onjeh, who scored 5,570 votes; Joseph Ojobo, 6,782; Gabriel Oloche, 5,246; Nelson Alapa, 4,312; and Patrick Idoko, 2,732.
“I, Sabiu Mahuta, chairman of the Senatorial Primary Election Committee, hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the Benue State Senatorial Primary Election held on the 18th day of May, 2026.
“Francis Ottah Agbo, having satisfied the requirements of APC constitution and guidelines, and having scored the highest number of votes in the primary election for Benue South Senatorial Zone, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and the return nominated as All Progressive Congress Senatorial Candidate for Benue South District. This declaration is dated today, Tuesday 19th day of May, 2026, signed by me, the Electoral Returning Officer”,
The results mark the conclusion of the APC senatorial primaries in Benue State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking shortly after declaring all the results, Mahuta described the exercise as an internal party affair and urged members to see the outcome as a step toward strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. He reminded aggrieved aspirants that an Appeal Committee has been inaugurated to address petitions arising from the primaries. “Petitions must be submitted within 24 hours of the declarations.
“This is a home affair, a family affair. Nobody is a winner, nobody is a loser. Whoever emerges is simply representing the party and all its members,” Mahuta said.
He expressed optimism that the primaries would make the party more united and focused, and prayed that APC candidates would secure victory across all levels in the upcoming elections and serve both the party and the nation effectively.
In his remarks, APC State Chairman Dr. Benjamin Omale praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for fostering an environment that ensured a smooth and hitch-free process.
He also congratulated President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, and the election committee. Dr. Omale urged aspirants who were unsuccessful to remain within the party and work toward securing its victory in Benue State and across the country in 2027.
