Announcing the result at the party secretariat on Friday in Makurdi, 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 for the party’s governorship ticket.

According to him, Alia polled 367,786 votes to defeat Kuranun, who scored 2,923 votes, while Orbunde secured 3,247 votes.

He subsequently declared Alia the winner, having scored the highest number of votes cast and met all requirements for the conduct of the election.

The committee chairman described the exercise as hitch-free and commended party members across the state for their large turnout.

Earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Mr Benjamin Omale, commended members for their cooperation and peaceful conduct throughout the primaries.

Omale also praised the election committee for what he described as a transparent and fair process.

In his acceptance speech, Alia pledged to work closely with his co-contestants and promote unity within the party.

The governor said the outcome of the primaries had settled anxieties within the APC in the state.

He congratulated his fellow aspirants, stressing that there was neither a victor nor a vanquished in the contest.

“It is my hope that your support will continue. As I have already pledged, we will continue to bring progress, development, and human capacity advancement to our people.

“For those who may feel aggrieved following the recently concluded House of Representatives, senatorial, state assembly, and governorship primaries, I sincerely appeal to you to search your hearts.

“Let us find common ground to support one another and continue serving the people of Benue State,” he said.

Alia stated that his administration had embarked on massive road construction projects and improved healthcare, education, infrastructure, and employment opportunities across the state.

He also pledged to employ more teachers in the final year of his first term.

Our correspondent reports that the governor’s nomination was subsequently affirmed by party leaders from the three senatorial districts of the state.

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In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it viewed the ruling as vindication of its objections to key aspects of the electoral body’s guidelines at the time they were issued.

The party also recalled its specific objections to the strict timelines on membership registration as well as the conduct of party primaries.

“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” it said.

ADC said that the ruling, which removed the impediment placed by the guidelines on politicians who wished to seek alternative platforms to contest elections, was a positive development that would promote freedom of association.

“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC.

“Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” the party added.

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Hayatu-Deen spoke on Thursday during a youth town hall held in Abuja, ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for Monday, May 25.

“The only way to defeat APC is with a fresh candidate. I carry no baggage and owe no allegiance to political godfathers,” he said.

He said the 2027 general election must become a defining moment for a new generation determined to reject recycled politics and recycled promises in Nigeria.

The presidential aspirant challenged the ADC leadership to present a fresh candidate capable of defeating the ruling party in 2027.

According to him, the party must decide whether it is truly prepared to offer Nigerians a credible alternative capable of restoring confidence in governance.

Addressing hundreds of young Nigerians, Hayatu-Deen, a technocrat and administrator, blamed poor leadership, weak governance, and economic neglect for the country’s challenges.

“The problem has never been the Nigeria’s young people. The problem has been leadership that failed to plan, invest, and address the hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen described Nigeria’s rising unemployment, insecurity, and cost of living as threats to youths’ future.

“Two-thirds of Nigeria’s population is under 35 years. Whenever politicians discuss Nigeria’s future, they are discussing young Nigerians,” he said.

He added that the country’s worsening conditions showed that the future of young Nigerians was undermined by years of poor governance and policy failures.

Hayatu-Deen lamented that more than 18 million Nigerian children remained out of school, while millions of graduates struggled to secure employment opportunities nationwide.

He noted that his campaign remained focused on jobs, security, and the future of young Nigerians through policies aimed at reducing poverty and insecurity nationwide.

He unveiled proposals guaranteeing 100 days of public work annually for low-income Nigerians and tax incentives for businesses employing NIN-verified workers from vulnerable communities.

“Jobs are not only economic policy; they are also security policy. Every employed young Nigerian reduces recruitment into crime, banditry, extremism, and violence,” he added.

Speaking on insecurity, Hayatu-Deen disclosed that his sister was abducted and held captive for three years, describing the experience as deeply traumatic for his family.

“My sister was abducted and held for three years. This issue is personal to me in ways very few public officials can understand,” he stated.

He pledged that his administration, if elected president, would designate bandit groups and kidnap syndicates as terrorist organisations.

The aspirant also promised to pursue financiers of violent crimes aggressively and strengthen regional security cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle cross-border criminal activities effectively.

“These are not second-term promises. They are priorities that will begin from the first day in office,” Hayatu-Deen declared.

Hayatu-Deen described the ADC as a party founded with citizens’ welfare at the centre of its political vision and programmes.

He concluded by urging young Nigerians and ADC members to mobilise massively ahead of the party’s presidential primary election

“Vote for jobs, safer communities, disciplined leadership, and competence. Vote for a Nigeria that places young people first,” the presidential aspirant appealed.

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Abaribe, who has represented Abia South Senatorial District since 2007, said this on Thursday in Abuja during the screening of LP aspirants from Abia.

According to him, the administration in the state has demonstrated capacity through people-oriented projects and quality representation.

“We are here to be screened as the constitution requires and we trust the judgment of the screening committee whose responsibility is to select qualified candidates,” he said.

The senator said the Labour Party-led government in Abia had continued to deliver democratic dividends to the people, thereby strengthening public confidence in the party.

“Abia State is for Labour Party and Labour Party is Abia State,” he said.

Also speaking at the screening, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT Judiciary, Hon. Ibe Osonwa, attributed the peaceful conduct of the party’s political process to dialogue, consensus and inclusiveness among stakeholders.

According to him, political leaders must prioritise unity and consultation to avoid rancour during party primaries and other political activities.

“As a state, we do not want rancour. Nobody is blind to what is happening across the country with the ruling party and the confusion that exists,” he said.

Osonwa said the party leadership adopted a consensus approach in selecting candidates and party officials in the interest of peace and stability.

He explained that stakeholders were brought together to deliberate on issues, adding that agreements were reached after extensive consultations.

“The magnanimity and statesmanship of our governor is that peace must prevail, unity must prevail and interaction among the people must prevail,” he said.

On his part, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, dismissed claims of a lingering leadership crisis in the Labour Party.

Ikwechegh insisted that Sen. Nenadi Usman remained the party’s national chairman, adding that former chairman Julius Abure’s tenure had expired.

He said the party had extended an olive branch to Abure and other aggrieved members to return, expressing confidence that reconciliation would further strengthen the party.

Ikwechegh also expressed confidence ahead of the Labour Party primaries in Abia, stating that no aspirant had purchased nomination forms to challenge him for the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency seat.

He attributed the development to his performance in office and growing support for the party in the state.

The lawmaker praised Abia Governor Alex Otti for his exceptional leadership, saying the governor’s achievements had boosted the party’s popularity in the state.

He said both the state and the party were witnessing steady progress under Otti’s leadership.

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Sanwo-Olu, who arrived at the polling venue with his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the direct primary process allowed party members at the ward level to freely participate in the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate.

Speaking after casting his vote, the governor commended the conduct of the exercise and the turnout of party faithful.

“This process shows that our party believes in democracy and inclusiveness.

“Party members have come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility and elect their preferred aspirant.

“We have seen electoral officials and party representatives carrying out their duties professionally, and I am impressed with the level of participation at the grassroots,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu declared support for the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who is the sole aspirant in the primary at the ward.

The governor expressed confidence that Hamzat would emerge as the party’s flag bearer and eventually win the governorship election.

“I have confidence in Dr Hamzat’s capacity, competence and understanding of governance in Lagos State.

” He has contributed immensely to the progress we have recorded as an administration.

“I believe he will sustain and build on the developmental strides achieved over the years,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr Alade Folawiyo, described the turnout as impressive and expressed optimism that Hamzat would consolidate on the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration if elected governor.

Folawiyo said the deputy governor possessed adequate experience and understanding of Lagos governance, adding that continuity in leadership would sustain ongoing infrastructural development and security improvements across the state.

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The party’s National Chairman, Sen. Nenadi Usman, made the allegation while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the party’s screening of aspirants for primaries on Thursday in Abuja.

Usman said that copies of the petitions written to the IGP and the DSS had also been forwarded to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She described the alleged circulation of the forms as unlawful, insisting that the leadership elected at the party’s Umuahia convention remained the recognised one.

“We received the news surprisingly. It was a big surprise because after the court said his (Abure’s) tenure was over, we went to Umuahia, held a national convention and elected new leaders.

“INEC was there and recognised what we did. The names on INEC’s website are those voted for in Umuahia, and then he comes and starts distributing forms,” she said.

Asked if the party had been served with any notice of the appeal, the LP chairman said that the party had yet to be served with any, regarding Abure’s alleged appeal to the Supreme Court.

Usman maintained that the Supreme Court would likely uphold its earlier position on the party’s leadership dispute.

“My take is that the Supreme Court will maintain its stand. If a court says my tenure is over tomorrow, I cannot go back to say it is not over,” she said.

She alleged that some aspirants had been misled into purchasing unauthorised forms.

“One man came here to tell me his wife was contesting, and when I looked at the form, it was not the form we issued.

“They are deceiving people and it is not right at all,” she said.

On preparations for the 2027 elections, Usman expressed confidence in the strength of the party, citing the number of aspirants showing interest in contesting on its platform.

“Judging from the number of people indicating interests to use the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong,” she said.

The national chairman disclosed that three aspirants had so far purchased presidential nomination forms.

Usman, however, reiterated the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

“We have decided that our next candidate or flag bearer should come from the South. Anybody from the North who wants to buy forms should not even bother,” she said.

Usman further stated that the party was considering a consensus arrangement, assuring Nigerians, however, that the eventual primaries would be transparent.

“We are hoping for consensus, but we are going to screen really well because to lead this great country, we need the best.

“Whoever emerges after the screening and primaries, I assure you it will be free and fair,” she said.

Usman also expressed confidence in Nigerians’ ability to choose credible leaders during the 2027 general elections.

On whether she had any misgiving about the party’s success at the 2027 general elections, Usman said: “I am not afraid because I know power belongs to God, and Nigerians will come out to choose who they want to lead them.”

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Hamzat spoke with newsmen after participating in the APC governorship primary election conducted through the Option A4 voting system at his Ward A4, situated at AUD Primary School, Oke-Balogun, Epe.

“Democratic competition is not a war, it is a competition of ideas on how to we move our people forward.

“If our intention is to move people forward and develop the state,why do we need to fight.

“Our party has never been involved in conflict or war, we do things peacefully. As we can see, peaceful people are in joyous mood. That is the momentum we are taking to the elections,” he said.

He said the party would approach the 2027 election with programmes and policies aimed at promoting the progress of the state.

The deputy governor said the APC would focus on presenting its manifesto and vision for sustainable development to residents instead of engaging in hostilities.

“It is not about fighting. We will come out with our manifesto, we will come out with our programmes and what we want to do to elevate our state.

“We will tell Lagos residents that we understand history, issues and the geography of our state and that we are the best party to deliver in building the state.

“We are committed to building a state that can last, to build a state that our children and grandchildren can all be proud of.

“So it is a competition of ideas, we are not fighting, it is not war,” he said.

Hamzat also commended members of the party’s electoral committee and loyalists for ensuring what he described as a peaceful, fair and transparent primary elections across the state.

He added: “Everybody stood up and waited to be counted and at the end of the day, we have seen the numbers in the ward.

“We must thank all the party members for coming out en masse to vote and for believing in the party and the democratic credentials we are trying to build which Mr President is building for this country.”

According to him, reports from across the 245 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wards in Lagos State indicated that the exercise was conducted peacefully.

“This process is happening across all the 245 INEC wards in Lagos State.

“The reports we are getting is that it is peaceful all across the state and we are grateful,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that APC members in Epe Division trooped out en masse at the ward to endorse Hamzat for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.

Party leaders, youths, women groups and ward executives from Epe in separate interviews with NAN described Hamzat as experienced, loyal and capable of sustaining ongoing infrastructural and economic development across the state.

Speaking, a party leader, Alhaji Adekunle Kila, described the process as fair and transparent, saying party members had freely chosen Hamzat as their preferred governorship candidate.

“We have made our choice known by voting for the present Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, to be our next governor,” Kila said.

In his remarks, Mr Olasupo Moshood-Giwa, representative of Dr Obafemi Hamzat Youth Ambassador in Lagos State, said the group mobilised coordinators across Epe Division in support of the deputy governor.

“Today, we have come to show our solidarity to our own son of the soil in Epe.

“We have seen it loud and clear that the entire youths of Epe Division are behind Dr Obafemi Hamzat,” he said.

Declarating Hamzat as the winner at the ward after the Primary, the APC Governorship Primary Returning Officer for the ward, Mr Kayode Eleshin, said that the ward had 2, 720 registered party members out of which 2,432 were accredited.

Eleshin declared that three governorship aspirants were contesting but one Dr Samuel Ajose had withdrawn, remaining Hamzat and Mr Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal.

At the end of the exercise, Eleshin said that Hazmat polled a total of 2,210 votes as against zero votes polled by his opponent.

“As the returning officer of this ward, I declare Dr Obafemi Hamzat as the winner of the primary,” Eleshin said.

Speaking with our correspondent, the agent of Hamzat, Mr Agoro Musbau, who expressed excitement about the turnout of party members, described the exercise as being credible and transparent.

Earlier, Retired General Jonathan Temlong, the Chairman of the seven-member 2026 APC Governorship and House of Assembly Primaries for Lagos State ,said that the democracy had taken deep root in the state, considering the peaceful and orderly manners party members conducted themselves.

Temlong commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the state.

He said the process complied with the guidelines issued by the APC National Headquarters, as well as the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that democracy had “truly taken root” in the state.

“We want it to remain a peaceful process because it is the people who are giving their mandate to whoever will lead them from 2027.

“There should be no coercion, while everything must be done according to the rules of the game,” he said.

The committee chairman, who also monitored the exercise in Epe, said officials deployed for the primary had been provided with the necessary materials and directed to conduct the election in line with laid down procedures.

Speaking, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, saying the process complied with APC guidelines, electoral laws and democratic principles.

Ojelabi urged members to remain orderly and avoid violence, noting that the election was meant to allow party faithful freely choose leaders for the 2027 governorship election without intimidation.

He said the committee visited Epe to monitor the process firsthand and expressed satisfaction with the conduct of members, while praising ongoing infrastructural development in the area.

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The National Publicity Secretary, LP, Ken Asogwa made this known in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that the party had fixed the governorship and state Houses of Assembly primaries for May 27 and Presidential and National Assembly for May 29.

“Consequently, all primaries for the offices of President, Governor, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly will now hold simultaneously on Saturday, May 30.

“This decision became necessary, following the coincidence of the earlier dates with two important national events.

“The May 27 date coincides with the 2026 Eid-el Kabir (Eid al-Adha) celebration, while May 29 marks the third anniversary of the inauguration of elected public office holders across the country.

“In consideration of the spiritual significance of the Sallah celebration and the national importance of the May 29 anniversary, the Labour Party has rescheduled these dates.

“As a people-oriented and responsive political party, we deemed it appropriate to adjust the schedule in order to enable members, aspirants, supporters and Nigerians generally to fully observe these important occasions,” Asogwa stated.

He expressed regrets for any inconvenience the adjustment might cause the aspirants, stakeholders, supporters and members of the public, while appreciating their understanding and cooperation.

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The party also said that with no option left, it might have to mobilise for protest against the commission in Abuja.

Recall that the party shelved its planned protest against INEC over delays in uploading the authentic leadership of the party to its website, following appeals by well meaning Nigerians that it might be hijacked by hooligans to cause mayhem.

However, in a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi stated that INEC is again, pushing the NNPP to the wall with inexplicable delays that might deny the party its rights to fully participate in the 2027 general elections.

“We used all legal means via the courts to get the commission to comply with Court orders and stop the unnecessary delays which we believe, is linked and masterminded by those who left the NNPP.

“The meeting between NNPP leadership and the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan and his management team at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on May 19, gave us an insight of what we suspected may be causing the delay.

“The INEC chairman said the commission will revert soon and till date, it is yet to comply with the court order that gave it 72 hours to upload the NNPP National Working Committee (NWC) led by Dr Agbo Major.

“It is most unfortunate that lNEC have refused to obey court orders, which sends a very wrong signal ahead of the election. INEC do not have the powers to disobey court orders.

“In every instance of any order of the court, the only option available to INEC is to obtain a stay of execution or to secure an appeal from a higher court to set aside the judgment or order of the court, which it has not done.”

According to Olaposi, it is most unfortunate and surprising that a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja issued a compelling order to INEC to deregister the Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso led Kwankwasiya Movement, claiming to be a faction of the NNPP and the commission refused.

“The court also directed INEC to replace the Kwankwaso group with the authentic Agbo led NWC and to also revert to the original logo, colour and symbol of the NNPP within 72 hours, and file an affidavit of compliance within 14 days.”

According to Olaposi, 60 days after, the commission is yet to comply with the order of the court. The Owerri Appeal Court followed suit and yet, INEC leadership is adamant.

“As a regulatory agency of government, INEC must be seen to remain neutral at all times.

“How will a commission continue to uphold the leadership and logo of the Kwankwasiya movement, even when Nigerians know that Kwankwaso and his supporters are members of another party,” he stated.

According to Olaposi, the issue is not just about NNPP at the moment but the constitution of Nigeria and the judiciary to protect and guard their jurisdiction jealously.

” Kwankwaso is now in NDC with Buba Galadima, Dr Ahmed Ajuji, and even their spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson and others.

“We keep wondering who is left from the group to still be claiming NNPP members and causing confusion that INEC has failed to see.

“Our right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution. We can’t sit back and watch INEC continue to deny us the right to participate in an election as a duly registered political party in Nigeria.

“We have missed opportunities to participate in some off cycle elections due to delays by the commission. We won’t let it happen again.

“This injustice must be corrected as we press for enforcement of court orders of the trial court of Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.”

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Our correspondent reports that police officers, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and other security operatives mounted surveillance around the secretariat.

A good number of security vehicles with fully armed personnel were strategically positioned around the Secretariat as materials and personnel moved out of the party office.

Vehicles conveying ballot papers, result sheets and electoral officers to various local government areas to various voting centres in the state were seen leaving the secretariat.

Party officials and electoral officers arrived at the secretariat as early as 6:00 a.m. for sorting and distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.

Speaking with our correspondent Mr Sesan Daini, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Primaries Local Organising Committee, said the party had improved logistics to ensure a smooth exercise.

“We have learnt a lot in the course of these primaries. That is why we deployed early today to avoid delays at the various centres,” Daini said.

According to him, the party wants electoral officers to conclude the exercise early and ensure timely declaration of results across the state.

“We want our election officers to go and return early. We want to ensure the winner emerges today and is declared today,” he said.

Daini expressed optimism that the governorship primary would be peaceful, noting that the APC had adopted a consensus candidate for the election.

“We expect a peaceful exercise because the party has gotten a consensus candidate. We believe members will conduct themselves responsibly,” he said.

He said that some electoral officers had already arrived at their assigned locations.

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