Six serving members of the House of Representatives in Benue State, widely regarded as loyalists of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, have lost their re-election bids in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.

The primaries, held over the weekend across the state, produced a major political shake-up within the Benue APC, with candidates aligned to Governor Hyacinth Alia reportedly dominating the exercise.

According to results announced by the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee in Makurdi, only a small number of incumbent lawmakers retained their tickets, while several sitting members failed to secure the party’s nomination for the 2027 elections.

Those affected include serving House of Representatives members from key federal constituencies who were considered part of Akume’s political bloc.

However, the exercise also saw notable victories for some prominent political families. The wife of the SGF, Regina Akume, secured the APC ticket for Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, while Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, also clinched the party’s nomination for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.

The outcome is widely seen as a shift in the internal power balance of the APC in Benue State, with observers noting growing influence of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s camp over the party structure.

Party officials have described the exercise as largely peaceful, though it has deepened political realignments ahead of the general elections.