The All Progressives Congress crisis in Benue State has deepened with the announcement by the dissolved Austin Agada-led APC that 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates have been nominated for the upcoming October 5 local government election.
The primaries were held in all wards across the 23 local government areas of Benue State on Saturday.
This development follows a court battle between the dissolved executive members, who were against the decision of APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to dissolve them despite a court order preventing it.
The High Court in Benue ruled against the removal of Agada and the existing executives of the party.
An ex parte order by Justice Theresa Igoche prevented the NWC led by Ganduje from removing the Agada-led State Working Committee before the completion of their tenure.
Despite this, the NWC dissolved Agada’s exco and established a caretaker committee to oversee the party for six months.
A division exists within the Benue APC between supporters of George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The Agada-led faction is aligned with Akume, while the group loyal to Governor Alia is led by Benjamin Omakolo.
Ganduje had mentioned that the caretaker committee aimed to resolve the internal conflicts.
A statement by the Agada media office in Abuja noted that the primaries were conducted peacefully through consensus and affirmations.
In response, the Omakolo-led faction supportive of Governor Alia urged party members to ignore the primaries organized by the Agada faction.
Benjamin Omale, Chairman of the Unity Caretaker Committee appointed by the NWC, also advised party members to disregard the Agada primaries.
The Unity Caretaker Committee announced the commencement of form sales for the local government elections at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi on Monday, 26th August 2024.
The caretaker committee subsequently took control of the Agada-led faction’s office on J.S. Tarka Way in Makurdi.
Publicity Secretary Terseer Agber from the Omakolo faction confirmed their handover to the caretaker committee, indicating their factional office had been closed.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese extended congratulations to Governor Alia on the successful primaries reportedly held by the Akume-supporting Agada faction.
Agbese commended Governor Alia for facilitating a transparent and inclusive atmosphere that led to smooth and orderly primaries.
Oduh, his Special Adviser on Media, stated, “Dr. Agbese praised Governor Alia for providing a transparent and inclusive environment that was crucial to the peaceful and orderly conduct of the primaries.”
The process was characterized by minimal incidents and enabled genuine expression of the people’s will.