The All Progressives Congress (APC) national committee in charge of conducting Ward/Local Government (LG) congresses in Benue State said there were no parallel congresses in the state.

The Chairman, Ward/LG Congress in Benue, Usman Musa, told journalists in Makurdi that the congresses were peaceful, transparent and hitch-free.

Mr Usman stated that there was only one committee authenticated by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct the exercise, and it was their committee.

He said, “We are the only group sent to come and conduct congresses for all local government areas for Benue State. As far as we are concerned, we are within the mandate. We are here; we gave materials to whoever that is concerned, and the results were perfectly returned, and we have collected same.

“So I gladly tell you, this committee is the only genuine committee for Benue State. But if you want to confirm, you can go to our website, the APC website, to confirm the names of the committee,” they said.

Commenting on the mode of the congresses, he opined that the ward and local government congresses were elective.

“In the constitution of our great party, APC, there is provision for consensus. And where there is consensus, affirmation confirms consensus.

“So, this is why you hear from the returning officers; there is affirmation, there is consensus. They are all within the rules and guidelines of our constitution of the APC. We went for monitoring, and we were in three local governments: Makurdi, Tarka and Gboko.

“Yes, I can tell you without mincing words that we are really satisfied with all that we have seen there,” he stated.

The state APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, who commended members of the committee for their integrity and professionalism, also acknowledged their sacrifice and dedication for the national assignment.

Mr Omale also thanked party supporters for their cooperation, adding that the exercise was a milestone in the history of Benue State politics.

 (NAN)