The member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Pastor Ojema Ojotu, has said the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Benue State have been peaceful, transparent, and in line with the wishes of party members.
Ojotu made the remarks while speaking with journalists at the APC Secretariat in Makurdi during Saturday’s presidential primary election.
He noted that the entire primary process—from the House of Representatives to the Senate, House of Assembly, governorship, and now the presidential primaries—had been largely orderly across the state, describing it as a departure from the violence often associated with party elections in Nigeria.
According to him, the exercise has so far recorded no incidents of violence, ballot snatching, or destruction of property, adding that the atmosphere at various voting centres reflected growing confidence in the process.
“In the history of primary elections, this is the first time an election of this magnitude will be conducted in this state without hearing that somebody’s head was broken or any serious incident,” Ojotu said. “Everywhere is quite peaceful, and the excitement on people’s faces shows that the outcome reflects their aspirations.”
The lawmaker, who is also seeking re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections, maintained that the APC remains the dominant political force in Benue State, arguing that securing the party’s ticket places candidates in a strong position ahead of the polls.
He also drew a comparison between the APC primaries and those of opposition parties in the state, which he described as often chaotic and crisis-ridden.
Ojotu commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for providing leadership that, according to him, helped ensure smooth conduct of the primaries across the state.
Speaking on his own re-election bid, he expressed confidence in his support base in Apa/Agatu, saying the turnout during the primaries was a clear indication of strong backing ahead of the general election.
He further dismissed concerns about the strength of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, describing it as a divided opposition with limited capacity to challenge the APC.
“When I left the PDP, I left with all the structures in my constituency,” he said. “When you combine that with the strength of the APC as the ruling party, it becomes difficult for any opposition to withstand it.”
The lawmaker maintained that the APC’s growing cohesion in Benue State would play a key role in determining the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
