Group Calls For Cancellation Of APC Primary In Benue

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been called for the cancellation the National Assembly primary election for Vandeikya/Konshisha, Federal Constituency of Benue State over irregularities.

The Coalition of Civil Societies and Journalists Independent Monitoring Group for Good Governance (CCSJIMG3) made the call while addressing newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday.

The group, which described the primary election as a charade, stated that while the delegates’ list was doctored, the election was characterised by violence.

Chairman of the Group, David Atonza, and Secretary, Pascal Unogwu, noted they came to the conclusion after leading a monitoring team to the constituency for the primary.

The group observed with dismay that the primary election, which took place on October 4 in Vandeikya/Konshisha, Federal constituency was marred by violence and malpractices.

According to him, “What we saw in the APC primary election in Vandeikya/Konshisha federal constituency, fell short of acceptable standards and norms in the conduct of such (primary) elections.

“We observed that the electoral officers who conducted the exercise were not genuinely delegated from the national headquarters of the party to conduct the exercise.

“Moreover, we also gathered that the venue of the election which was not conducive, was rented by one of the contestants.

“We also observed that the delegates’ list used to conduct the exercise was doctored as it excluded six council wards which were believed to be the stronghold of one of contestants.

“The election was marred by threats and arousing chaos which made one of the contestants to walk away and therefore its outcome should be voided and declared a nullity by the NWC of the party in the interest of fair play.”