The Labour Party governorship aspirant in Benue State, Mathias Terwase Byuan, has strongly rejected his inclusion in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary list, describing it as false, misleading, and unauthorised.
In a statement issued on Thursday and personally signed by him, Byuan said he is no longer a member of the APC and has fully withdrawn from any of its electoral processes. He insisted that his name being published among APC governorship aspirants was done without his knowledge or consent.
According to him, he officially resigned his membership of the APC on May 7, 2026, notifying his ward chairman in writing, and subsequently forwarded copies of his resignation to the party’s national leadership. He also claimed that he sent additional documentation through DHL and completed a notary public attestation confirming his voluntary withdrawal.
Byuan further stated that he had formally withdrawn his governorship aspiration under the APC and submitted relevant notices to the party’s screening committee, stressing that he is not bound by any APC primary process currently ongoing in Benue State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any list or publication bearing my name as an APC aspirant is false and unauthorised,” he said.
The APC had earlier on Thursday released a list of cleared governorship aspirants in Benue State, which reportedly included Byuan’s name. The party is currently conducting its governorship primaries across the state’s 23 local government areas.
However, Byuan maintained that he has fully aligned with the Labour Party and is now seeking the governorship ticket of the party. He disclosed that he has already been screened and is awaiting the party’s primaries scheduled for May 30, 2026.
He also attached documents including his resignation letter, withdrawal notices, and screening certification from the Labour Party to support his claims.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party aspirant reaffirmed his political support for President Bola Tinubu, commending his Renewed Hope Agenda and urging Nigerians to support it. He also called on supporters in Benue State to back his governorship ambition alongside other Labour Party candidates in the state.
The development adds another layer to the ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2026–2027 election cycle in Benue State, as parties intensify preparations for upcoming contests.
