The All Progressive Congress in Benue State witnessed the inauguration of a new working committee by Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia on Thursday.
During the inauguration, Alia emphasized that there can only be one leader in the state, which is the governor. He reiterated the need for unity within the party and stated that the changes made to the executive committee were done intentionally without creating a faction.
The inauguration took place at the party’s factional secretariat near the Government House in Makurdi.
The Benue State APC has faced internal conflicts following the removal of the state APC Chairman, Austin Agada, by his Ehaje council ward, and a subsequent court order prohibiting him from acting as the party chairman in the state.
As a result, Benjamin Omakolo was appointed as the acting chairman by the state executive committee under Governor Alia’s leadership to address the crisis.
On January 12, the Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpampese, revoked the previous court order and reinstated Agada as the party chairman until the case was resolved by a new judge.
To resolve the crisis, the national party secretariat instructed all members to withdraw any ongoing court cases as a step towards resolving the internal conflicts within the state party.
On March 25, 2024, Agada’s committee, through the state APC Legal Adviser Alyebo Mathew, filed a notice to withdraw the case filed by the chairman, which was subsequently dismissed by Justice T.A. Kume.
Coincidentally, on the same day the case was dismissed, the state governor, represented by his Chief of Staff Paul Biam, appointed the new state working committee led by Omakolo.
The governor hailed the event as historic in the state’s political history, emphasizing the transition that had now come to fruition from previous concealed efforts.
He reassured unity within the party, stating that only one leader exists, and affirmed his support for the new committee to uphold party principles in Benue State.
Various National Assembly members have shown interest in aligning with the new committee, indicating potential growth for the party.
The state ALGON Chairman, also Chairman of Konshisha Local Government Area, Philip Achuah, pledged unwavering loyalty and support from council chairmen to the party executives.