By Amos Aar
THERE is confusion in Benue State over who is currently the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state between an oil magnet, Engr Benjamin Iorlumun Akaakar and Herman Hembe.
The confusion arose just a day after the Makurdi Division of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdul Dogo dismissed the suit by Hon. Hembe who is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over inclusion of his name on the result of the APC primary election held on 27th May, 2022.
Engr Akaakar, who has dragged Hembe to court for allegedly participating in the governorship primaries of both the APC and Labour Party, received the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi, at Gboko, Benue State.
This function, members of the party and the general public say, was supposed to be performed by Hembe under normal circumstance.
Following the reception of Obi by Engr Akaakar in Gboko on Tuesday 1st November, 2022, tongues are wagging that Akaakar is now the Labour Party governorship candidate in the state.
They also hold that since the Federal High Court had dismissed Hembe’s suit on the same basis of allegedly participating in two primary elections which Engr Akaakar is also challenging in court, he has automatically won the case even as National Record learnt the court is yet to pass judgement in favour of Engr Akaakar.
A social media writer, Vantsehe Jem Vershima, posted on his Facebook wall that “Engr. Ben Akaakar, the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Benue state having a deep and sensible conversation with the party presidential candidate during his visit in Tor Tiv palace today at Gboko the headquarters of Tiv Nation.
“I just want to update una”
The post attracted many comments and questions that are still begging for answers. Some big questions that dominated the comment box are “where is Hembe?”, “What happens to Hembe?”, is Hembe no the longer governorship candidate of LP in Benue State?” among other questions.
