The Benue Police Command said it has deployed 2,000 personnel to beef up security at the Haf Haven Hotel, venue of the APC rescheduled governorship primaries in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Matthew Oku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Makurdi that the number tallied with that of the PDP’s governorship primaries.

He said the police anticipated tougher security challenges and had adopted the proactive measures to stem any violence and guarantee a hitch-free exercise.

The police spokesman disclosed that some of the personnel were drafted from their divisional offices and other police outposts.

According to him, the command’s stop-and-search team has been reinforced to beef security within Makurdi township, to avoid security breaches.

Meanwhile, a cross section of delegates in Benue said they would not succumb to acts of intimidation in electing the party’s flag bearer for 2015 elections.

The delegates said they would only vote for a candidate that had impeccable credentials to challenge the PDP at the general elections.

A delegate from Agatu Local Government Area, who pleaded anonymity, appealed to INEC to conduct credible polls that would reflect the wishes of the people.

“If INEC will conduct free and fair elections in 2015, then there is no way APC will not take over the governorship of Benue from the grip of PDP,” he said.

Another delegate, Mrs Grace Onoja, said she expected free and fair election at the primaries.

Mr Daniel Onjeh, who is also a Benue South senatorial aspirant of APC, said there was an array of credible aspirants for the governorship position.

Onjeh, however, stated that delegates would keep eagle eyes on the process of the primaries to ensure that a more credible candidate would emerge as the flag bearer of the party.

The delegates commended the party for the provision of good accommodation in Makurdi.

NAN reports that six aspirants are jostling for the parity’s ticket at the primaries.

They are Mr Emmanuel Jime, Akange Audu, Prof. Steve Ugbah , Sen Joseph Waku, Dr Samuel Ortom and Mr Mike Iyordye.(NAN)