The ongoing crisis within the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress reached a new level on Wednesday with the announcement by the National Working Committee of the party regarding the dissolution of the Austine Agada-led executives, who are loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
In response, a seven-member caretaker committee was swiftly inaugurated by the NWC to assume control of the party’s affairs at the state level for a period of six months.
Heading the newly established committee are Benjamin Omale and Prof Bem Angwe as the chairman and secretary, respectively.
The committee includes members such as Richard Mzungweve, James Ornguga, Terhemen Ngbea, Helen Agaigbe, and Ali Francis Adah.
This shift in leadership occurred shortly after a Benue High Court in Markurdi issued a directive preventing the APC from removing Agada, a staunch supporter of SGF Akume, and the current party executives.
The court order, granted by Justice Theresa Igoche in a motion labeled MH/1585m/2024, restrained the NWC under Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from displacing the Agada-led State Working Committee until the completion of their four-year tenure.
The Benue APC has been embroiled in turmoil, with Governor Hyacinth Alia and Akume engaged in a power struggle.
Agada leads Akume’s wing of the party, while Benjamin Omakolo was the interim chairman of the Alia faction.
Last week, Alia reportedly sealed the party headquarters of Akume’s faction, preventing their scheduled meeting to take place.
Following the appointment of the caretaker committee, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, addressed the press expressing regret over the situation, emphasizing that the decision to dissolve the Benue APC was necessary to prevent the party from collapsing completely.
Ganduje remarked, “Today marks a historic but regrettable moment. Nevertheless, we must address this issue promptly in accordance with our constitution. We hope that the state chapter will function smoothly for the party’s advancement. However, deviations from the plan can lead to challenges within organizations.”
“We are all aware of the complexities in Benue State, including factions, disputes, and legal battles. The NWC will not permit this to persist. As a unified entity, we should solve problems according to our constitution. Therefore, the NWC has dissolved the executive committee of the Benue State chapter and approved a seven-member caretaker committee to manage party affairs for the next six months.”
Ganduje urged the newly appointed caretaker committee members to work together with key stakeholders to promote unity and collaboration within the party.
Acknowledging their responsibility, Omale assured that the committee would strive for peace and reconciliation among all aggrieved members in the state.
He stated, “Our mandate is to promote peace and unity under the guidance of the President and the governor. We pledge to bring the necessary harmony and reconciliation to the state, uniting our people as a cohesive team.”