The Benue State Government has dismissed reports claiming that the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in the state endorsed automatic tickets for political office holders.

The clarification was made in Makurdi by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sam Ode, who also served as Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee for the meeting.

According to Ode, the resolutions currently circulating in some national dailies did not originate from the committee and should be disregarded.

He explained that the committee only prepared a draft communiqué for review by Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stressing that the draft contained no provision for automatic tickets for any category of political office holders.

“The committee only produced a draft for the Governor and the SGF to review and make inputs before final approval. At no point did we include any provision for automatic tickets,” he stated.

The Deputy Governor further emphasized that any valid communiqué from the meeting must be officially authorised and signed by both the Governor and the SGF, not the drafting committee.

He also clarified that the signatures appearing in the controversial publication were misrepresented, noting that they were merely attendance signatures of members of the drafting committee, not endorsements of any resolution.

Ode described the publication as misleading and capable of undermining the outcome of the recent reconciliation meeting, which was aimed at fostering unity within the party.

He reiterated that the APC in Benue State remains committed to adopting direct primaries for the selection of candidates in future elections.

“As far as we are concerned, the publication is of no effect and does not reflect the position of the party. It is a disservice to the Governor and the SGF, but it will not derail our collective resolve to remain united,” he added.

The Deputy Governor also noted that during the reconciliation meeting, the party’s National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Bawa, reaffirmed the decision to adopt direct primaries.

He concluded that only Governor Hyacinth Alia and Senator George Akume have the authority to approve and sign any official communiqué arising from the meeting.