Arch. Asema Achado, representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State at the National Assembly, in a scathing and derisive Facebook post, has taken a jab at Governor Hyacinth Alia, revealing that the Governor was immersed in prayer while his favored candidate suffered a resounding defeat in the Guma 1 State Constituency primaries.
Achado, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), recalls his previous advice to the Governor, urging him to prioritize official matters over prolonged prayer sessions during office hours.
He mocked Alia for attempting to cancel the primary process after it had concluded, pointing out the lack of control over a process already executed.
“I love my Governor, hence my advice to him two months ago, to sleep/pray in the night and work in the day”, Achado posted on Facebook.”
“The nationwide House of Assembly primary election was scheduled to hold today by 8 am. In Benue State, it started about 9 am and ended about 10 am.
“Our prayerful Governor was locked up in prayers with his officials till noon. The APC electoral officials conducted the primary election and left, while our prayerful Governor was praying or sleeping.
“How do you suspend a process which has been concluded? A process you have no control over. Haba!” He added.
The Guma 1 State Assembly primaries witnessed Hon. Uche Peter Terwase triumphing over Alia’s favored candidate, Hon. Maurice Orwough, in an election conducted under heightened security.
Uche, however, secured 25 votes compared to Orwough’s meager three.
Governor Alia, in a dramatic twist, however, declared the election null and void, citing security breaches and irregularities, leading to a clash with the official election committee’s endorsement of the process as “free, fair, and credible.”
The sensational twist includes Achado’s critique of Alia’s leadership style, ridiculing the Governor’s reliance on prayer, while also highlighting the State Working Committee’s congratulations to Hon. Terwase for his “well-deserved victory.”
Recall that there is a power play in Benue APC as the Governor Alia and Sen. George Akume, who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) battle of the leadership of the party in the state.
Akume is believed to have the support of majority of the federal lawmakers representing respective Benue Constituencies at the National Assembly, including Arch. Achado.
As the political drama unfolds, Arch. Achado’s biting commentary adds fuel to the already turbulent aftermath of the contested Guma 1 State Constituency primaries.
