As the Benue APC’s primaries begin, a suspended Catholic priest takes the lead.

The All Progressive Congress’s gubernatorial and state assembly primaries in Benue State began peacefully on Friday. Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a suspended Catholic priest, was leading the gubernatorial primary early on.

Our reporter, who visited certain council districts in Makurdi, the state capital, reports that the procedure has been calm and without rancor.

Posters of three hopefuls were put in the Waliomayo, Ankpa, Fidi, and Bar council wards, with party members queuing behind their preferred candidate.

The suspended Catholic priest is in charge, according to reports from the four council wards.

Rev. Fr. Alia received 3,000 votes in the Waliomayo council ward, whereas former PDP national chairman Barnabas Gemade and former Attorney General of the Federation Mike Aondoakaa received zero votes.

The suspended Catholic priest also earned 456 votes in Bar council ward, 2,525 votes in Fidi council ward, and 2,000 votes in Ankpa Wadata council district.

Other candidates in The PUNCH’s council wards received a score of zero.