A former APC senatorial candidate for Benue South, Daniel Onjeh, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Benue South, citing alleged irregularities, lack of transparency, and what he described as predetermined outcomes in the party’s internal process.

Onjeh, who was the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South in 2015 and 2023 and had declared interest in the 2027 race, announced his withdrawal in a statement issued on Friday.

According to him, the decision followed “deep reflection, extensive consultations, and disturbing developments” within the party structure in Benue State ahead of the primaries.

He alleged that credible evidence had emerged suggesting that the outcomes of the primaries may have been predetermined by powerful interests operating within the party.

“Concerns regarding these developments were discreetly brought to the attention of relevant stakeholders within the party but were unfortunately dismissed as mere rumours,” he said.

Onjeh, a former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, said events surrounding the recent House of Representatives primaries in Benue South reinforced fears of a compromised process.

“What many party members witnessed were not transparent democratic contests but outcomes that appeared prearranged long before the exercise itself. In reality, there were no genuine primaries in many places as names allegedly contained in prewritten lists were simply announced,” he stated.

He further alleged that some preferred aspirants influenced the appointment of returning officers and officials responsible for conducting the primaries, while sensitive electoral materials and result sheets were allegedly handled outside recognised party procedures.

According to him, party faithful feared a repeat of the same pattern in the senatorial primaries.

“Why should anybody willingly subject himself to such a charade and still call it democratic primaries?” he asked.

Onjeh also expressed concern over what he described as a lack of clarity surrounding the conduct of the Senate primary, noting that there was no publicly available timetable or list of officials expected to supervise the exercise.

He said the entire process had become “shrouded in secrecy, uncertainty, and lack of transparency,” making it impossible for him to participate in good conscience.

“For over sixteen years, I have remained committed to the APC and progressive politics in Benue South. I have contested elections peacefully and democratically,” he said, adding that his decision should not be interpreted as fear of contest but as “a principled stand against actions capable of undermining internal democracy.”

Onjeh disclosed that he had formally submitted his withdrawal letter to the APC National Chairman through the Benue State chairman of the party.

He thanked his supporters, party members, and stakeholders across the nine local government areas of Benue South for their support during his consultations.

He added that he would announce his next political move in the coming days.