Nigeria, March 19 -- The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, is in early lead after the collation of the results of Saturday's election from 11 out of the 23 local government areas of the state on Sunday.

Mr Alia, a Roman Catholic priest, has garnered 194,555 votes while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Titus Uba, are trailing with 99,860 votes.

The margin of lead is 94,695 votes.

Mr Uba is the current Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly.

Both Messrs Alia and Uba hail from Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Labour Party candidate, Herman Hembe, is also in the state governorship contest.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC...