Benue Speaker Alfred Emberga and Deputy Speaker Lami Danladi-Ogenyi secure APC reelection tickets after decisive primary victories in Makurdi North and Ado constituencies.

By Dooshima Terkura,Makurdi

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Makurdi North State Constituency.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, polled a total of 7,132 votes out of the 8,767 accredited voters, defeating her opponents — Mark Attah Ochoga, who scored 264 votes, Dickson Otokpa with 180 votes, and Iduh Godswill, who secured 143 votes.
In Makurdi North State Constituency, Emberga emerged victorious after recording the highest number of votes in the primary election conducted across the five council wards of North Bank I, North Bank II, Clerk Market Ward, Again Ward, and Mballagh Ward.
The Returning Officer, Desmond Atoh, announced that Emberga polled a total of 7,303 votes to defeat his opponents, Stephen Datso and Valentine Gbaka, who scored 50 and 29 votes respectively.
Atoh declared that Alfred Emberga, having secured the highest number of votes, stands nominated as the APC candidate for the constituency.
Speaking with journalists after his declaration in Makurdi, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, appreciated his constituents for their confidence and support.
“I am very excited. It was not an easy task, but with the massive support of my constituents who believe in me and found me worthy to represent them in 2023, and based on the work they have seen and the efforts I am making, they decided that I should return to the House again to represent them, so I’m excited,” he said.
He described the victory as a moment of joy for himself, his family, constituents, and supporters who had eagerly awaited the outcome.
According to him, the victory reflects the confidence his people have in his leadership.
Emberga pledged to continue his developmental efforts, noting that in the past three years, he had facilitated nearly 40 boreholes across the constituency, renovated and built schools and churches, carried out empowerment programmes, and positively impacted many lives.
He described the APC primary process from the national to the state assembly level as free, fair, and transparent, adding that it demonstrated the people’s support for the administration of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
According to him, the people believe in the governor’s leadership and appreciate the developmental strides recorded under his administration.
The APC Metropolitan Chairman, Abubakar Dankeji, commended party faithful for their peaceful conduct during the exercise and praised Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for providing direction and leadership that ensured a smooth and credible election process.
Earlier, the Returning Officer for the Ado State Constituency APC primary election, Comrade Akaater Abraham, declared Rt. Hon. Lami Danladi-Ogenyi winner after satisfying all the requirements for the election.