By Solomon Iorpev

The outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primary elections in Benue State has sent a clear message from the electorate: representation is no longer a lifetime entitlement, and political survival now depends on visible performance.

When the dust settled across the three senatorial districts and 11 federal constituencies where the APC conducted its primaries, every sitting APC senator in Benue had been rejected by the people.

In Benue North East (Zone A), former governor Gabriel Suswam polled 131,083 votes to defeat incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende, who secured only 1,364 votes. It was not merely a defeat; it was a rejection.

In Benue North West (Zone B), retired Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Benjamin Aber Terseer, husband of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Deaconess Deborah Aber, polled 93,412 votes to defeat incumbent Senator Titus Zam, who came third with 2,763 votes.

In Benue South (Zone C), former House of Representatives member Francis Otta Agbo scored 58,760 votes to clinch the ticket, leaving Daniel Onjeh with 5,570 votes and others trailing behind.

The House of Representatives primaries reflected the same pattern. Six sitting APC lawmakers lost their return tickets. In Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Dickson Tarkighir lost 37,844 to 1,746 to Christopher Ikper. In Buruku, Sekav Iortyom lost 10,470 to 1,396 to Gideon Inyom. In Kwande/Ushongo, Terseer Ugbo was defeated 40,672 to 750 by Professor Shadrack Iornem.

This was no accident. It was a verdict.
The grievances were not necessarily about party affiliation. They stemmed from what constituents perceived as poor visibility, weak constituency engagement, and a lack of tangible projects or legislative interventions addressing insecurity, youth unemployment, infrastructure decay, and agricultural support — issues central to daily life in Benue.

“People voted with their memory,” said a party elder in Zone B, Hon. Atsenda Ishwa, who participated in the nomination process.

“When you don’t show up in the villages, when motions and bills don’t translate into roads, schools, or security interventions, the people notice. Primary elections are the first place they speak.”

Many observers believe the APC primaries in Benue were driven less by internal party rivalries and more by accountability.

Voters expected regular engagement, feedback, and accessibility. Absence from constituency activities and limited town hall interactions created an impression of detachment.

Beyond legislative attendance, constituents sought evidence of motions, bills, and oversight functions that directly addressed Benue’s security and economic realities. Poorly executed, abandoned, or non-existent constituency projects further reinforced the perception that elected officials had failed to utilise their mandates effectively.

In a state grappling with insecurity and humanitarian challenges, delayed or absent responses from representatives deepened public dissatisfaction.
The electorate has demonstrated a willingness to demand change. If the new candidates assume victory at the primaries is the finish line, they risk suffering the same fate as their predecessors.

To avoid repeating history, the incoming candidates must prioritise constituency presence. Representation cannot be done remotely. Regular visits, open communication channels, and periodic town hall meetings are essential for building trust and understanding local needs.

Legislative work must also align with Benue’s realities — insecurity, road rehabilitation, agricultural financing, and youth empowerment. Advocacy in Abuja only matters when constituents can feel its impact at home.

Transparency in constituency project execution is equally critical. Projects must be properly planned, executed, and monitored. Abandoned or substandard projects destroy credibility faster than the absence of projects altogether.

Engaging youths should also be a priority. Benue’s young population is politically aware, vocal, and increasingly influential. Structured engagement can strengthen accountability and inspire development-driven ideas.
Communication remains another major challenge. Even impactful work can go unnoticed without consistent communication. Regular updates on legislative activities and constituency interventions are necessary to keep the electorate informed.

Benue politicians, unlike many of their counterparts elsewhere, often shy away from the media. But representation should focus on solving local problems, not merely commenting on national issues while communities remain without roads, water, or security.

There is also the need to fight more effectively for Benue at the federal level. The state remains underrepresented in federal appointments, infrastructure projects, and security deployments. Lawmakers who cannot negotiate or advocate strongly for their people risk becoming irrelevant.

The primaries signalled a shift in APC’s internal dynamics in Benue. The party’s fortunes in 2027 will depend on whether its candidates can sustain the momentum generated by the primaries and present manifestoes that resonate with voters.

For Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, the outcome also places pressure on the party structure to ensure stronger cooperation between the executive and legislative arms. One major criticism of the outgoing National Assembly members has been their confrontational relationship with the state government rather than collaboration for the state’s benefit.

Ultimately, the APC primaries in Benue were not decided by money or political godfathers alone. They were shaped by public perception — perception of performance, presence, and responsiveness.

Benue continues to struggle with insecurity, poor roads, and unemployment. Many voters saw little beyond press statements, photo opportunities, and motions that failed to produce measurable impact.
People are no longer impressed by committee chairmanships or Abuja connections if their communities remain under siege or lack basic infrastructure.
The new flagbearers now have an opportunity to rewrite the narrative. But that opportunity comes with an expiration date. The next election cycle is closer than it appears, and the electorate has made it clear that it is watching closely.

As the Tiv saying goes, “Kasuwa gba, tso u sha gba” — there will always be another market day.

To Gabriel Suswam, Benjamin Aber, Francis Otta Agbo, and the other APC flagbearers, the message is simple: this victory should not be mistaken for unconditional love. They won largely because the incumbents failed to meet expectations.

The same electorate that removed the outgoing lawmakers will not hesitate to do the same again if the new representatives fail to deliver.
The message from Benue voters is unmistakable: elected officials can no longer take the electorate for granted. Deliver results and remain in office. Fail, and be replaced. Period.