FORMER Benue State governor Senator George Akume and two lawmakers, Mzenda Iho of the House of Assembly, Ala and Orker Jev, House of Representatives have withdrawn from National Assembly Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier scheduled for today.

But the House of Representatives primaries will now hold tomorrow (Thursday), while the Senate’s hold on Friday.

The party said the postponment was due to logistic problems.

Addressing a joint press conference in Makurdi, Iho and Jev said their continued participation in the primaries would not serve any useful purpose.

Jev said :” I won’t dignify the process with my continued participation. If they like, they can sit in Plaza Hotel or whereever and write the names of whoever they want to represent them for election. But we thank God this is not general election where the people and not manipulators will have their way.”

Iho said he was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) throughout the ward delegates congress and House of Assembly primaries.

The State PDP Organising Secretary, Job Tiza, described the primaries as free, fair and in line with the party’s constitution.

Akume said: “Having come to this stage and after initial consultation with my family, friends and associates, I have decided to withdraw my participation from the National Assembly primaries on the platform of the PDP scheduled for Wednesday, January 5.

“After extensive consultation with the people of Benue State and especially the good people of Benue North-West Senatorial District, I shall make public my next step of action”.