David Mark’s daughter wins APC primary, but rivals cry foul- including son of his old political rival

The outcome of the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primary for Otukpo/Ohinmini Federal Constituency in Benue State has sparked controversy, as Lawrence Onoja Jnr and fellow aspirant Andrew Abu have challenged the victory of Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark.

The two aspirants submitted petitions to the APC secretariat in Makurdi on Tuesday, disputing the results of the primary election held last Saturday, where Onuh emerged victorious among four contenders.

Onoja Jnr, son of the late Major General Lawrence Onoja (retd), accused party officials of breaching zoning arrangements and relocating the voting venue from designated council wards to a hotel. He also alleged that supporters of Blessing Onuh hijacked election materials during the process.

Backing the claims, Abu questioned the credibility of the results, alleging that the number of votes credited to Onuh exceeded the total registered APC members across Otukpo and Ohinmini local government areas.

Both aspirants expressed confidence in the party’s appeal panel to address their grievances but cautioned that unresolved irregularities could deepen tensions within the APC in the state.

The dispute has also reignited the long-standing political rivalry between the families of David Mark and the late Lawrence Onoja, whose previous political contests for the Benue South senatorial seat ended in victories for Mark.