The communiqué drafting committee from the recent reconciliation meeting between supporters of Benue State Governor, Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has dismissed reports alleging the adoption of automatic tickets for elected public office holders in from the state.
In a formal disclaimer issued after the circulation of a controversial publication, the committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Sam Ode stated that the claims did not originate from official deliberations and should be disregarded.
The committee explained that its assignment was strictly to prepare a draft communiqué for onward review and approval by the meeting’s conveners, stressing that no provision for automatic tickets for the Governor, National Assembly members, or State Assembly legislators was included at any stage of the draft.
It further faulted the publication for misrepresenting internal proceedings, noting that the signatures attached to the document in circulation were taken from attendance records and not from any approved communiqué.
Raising concerns over the intent behind the report, the committee described the act as misleading and capable of undermining the fragile peace and reconciliation efforts within the All Progressives Congress, APC in Benue State.
The statement also highlighted that the party’s position, as presented at the meeting by APC National Vice Chairman, Muhammed Muazu Bawa, supports the use of direct primaries for candidate selection, contrary to the claims of automatic nominations.
The committee concluded by urging the public to rely only on officially sanctioned communications jointly endorsed by Governor Alia and SGF Akume as the authentic outcome of the reconciliation meeting.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
