There was no substitution of APC candidates in Benue State – Group

A social political group under the aegis of United Ogbadibo Initiative has refuted claims making the rounds that the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, substituted names of elected candidates at APC primaries in Ogbadibo State House of Assembly and other Federal and State Constituencies.

Describing the reports as malicious, untrue and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the minister, the group said said that what transpired during the APC primary election in Benue State was a free and fair process.

The group in a statement signed by the Owukpa wing coordinator, Ogbe Samuel explained that in Owukpa, Orokam and Otukpa local government area of the state, the leaders unanimously agreed that zoning of the position should be upheld in Otukpa district.

“Chief Ogbe and other leaders in their wisdom after it was confirmed there was no election agreed that zoning should uphold which they all agreed that it was Otukpas turn,” he added.

Describing the publications as an attempt by some mischievous elements to throw the peaceful people of Ogbadibo local government into mayhem, Samuel said, “The Honourable minister in his reputable history took the most acceptable decisions of the Ogbadibo elders and stakeholders in total to avoid any further political crisis in Ogbadibo.

Insulting the minister is highly disrespectful and unacceptable. We warned the group and their sponsors to desist from such acts.

“It is important to note also that a vote of confidence was passed on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development by the APC leaders of Zone C on Wednesday 17 2018.

“In that view the elders and stakeholders of Zone C met to determine in strategy who out of the aspirants will represent the people in areas where election did not hold òn October 6, 2018 and to also refute any imposition of candidate by some elders outside the zone” he added.

The group however urged the general public especially the Ogbadibo extraction to refute any notice contrary to the allegation as it is misleading and tantamount to cause disunity among the people.

It could be recalled that a National Daily not the Daily had reported last week that there was palpable tension in the rank and file of members of the APC in Benue State.

A group under the platform of Benue South APC Justice and Equality Movement had taken a peaceful protest to the headquarters of the party, asking the NWC to call the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh to order for allegedly substituting the names of elected candidates with those who did not participate at the primary.

But the United Ogbadibo Initiative has urged indegenes of the state to disregard the reports as malicious, false and a deliberate attempt to drag the name of the minister to the mud.