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Governor 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, the 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 the party’s governorship post.
According to him, Alia got 367,786 votes to defeat Kuranun, who got 2,923 votes, while Orbunde secured 3,247 votes.
He subsequently declared Alia the winner, having obtained the highest number of votes cast and satisfying all the requirements for holding the elections.
The committee chairman described the operation as smooth and praised party members across the state for their large turnout.
Earlier, the state chairman of the party, Benjamin Omale, commended members for their cooperation and peaceful conduct during the primaries.
Omale also commended the electoral committee for what he described as a transparent and fair process.
In her acceptance speech, Alia pledged to work closely with her co-contestants and promote unity within the party.
The governor said the outcome of the primaries resolved anxieties within the APC in the state.
He congratulated his fellow aspirants, pointing out that there was neither a winner nor a loser in the competition.
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“I hope your support continues. As I have already promised, we will continue to bring progress, development and advancement of human capabilities to our people.
“For those who may feel offended following the recently concluded House of Representatives, Senate, State Assembly and governorship primaries, I sincerely urge you to examine your hearts.
“Let us find common ground to support each other and continue to serve the people of Benue State,” he said.
Alia said his administration has embarked on massive road construction projects and improved healthcare, education, infrastructure and employment opportunities across the state.
He also pledged to hire more teachers in the final year of his first term.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s appointment was later confirmed by party leaders of the three senatorial districts of the state.(NAN)
