Last minutes efforts by embattled Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia to regain lost grounds in Benue state have finally hit the rocks.

It was gathered that Governor Alia met separately on Monday with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda to express his disaffection over list of National Assembly candidates uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission by the National Secretariat of the party.

Findings revealed that Governor Alia has been embroiled in power game for the control of the party structures with a former governor of the party and current Secretary to Government of the Federation, (SGF), Senator George Akume.

Further checks revealed that in the list sent to INEC by the APC National Working Committee led by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Governor Alia who had been basking in the euphoria of his grip on the part lost grounds to Senator Akume as the party national Secretariat upturned the results of the last May National Assembly primaries conducted in the North Central state.

The party which premised its decision on therecommendations of its Primary Election Appeal Committee, removed Senator Gabriel Suswam and Benjamin Aber, who won tickets for Benue North East Senatorial District and Benue North West Senatorial District.

The duo were replaced by loyalists of the SGF, Emmanuel Udende and Titus Zam.

In the revised list, signed by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator Ajibola Basiru, national Chairman and National Secretary, respectively of the APC, six candidates, believed to be allies of Governor Alia were equally replaced.

Akume favoured choices who made final list for House of Representatives tickets were Austin Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Sekav Iyortyom, Terser Ugbor and Sesoo Ikpagher.

Party sources told Nigerian Tribune that Governor Alia came to the residence of the APC National Chairman on Monday night to confer with the latter and push for the review of the list already uploaded to INEC.

The source revealed:” He actually met with Professor Yilwatda after his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The party national Chairman was diplomatic in his response to Governor Alia’s request as he assured him that he would convey his request to the entire NWC.

“But the truth is that the review of the Benue Nomination List enjoys the blessings of President Tinubu. It can’t be reversed.”

“Governor Alia, from findings will resume his shuttle to Abuja today ( Wednesday) to see if he could upturn the list.”

Investigation by Nigerian Tribune revealed that the APC NWC scheduled a meeting on Tuesday at the party national Secretariat ahead of Saturday deadline for upload of Nomination List. (TRIBUNE)

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