The crisis within the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated on Tuesday as two factions of the party conducted parallel congresses and produced separate state chairmen.
Austin Agada was returned as state chairman by a faction
aligned with George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF),
during a congress held in Makurdi, the state capital.
At the same time, a separate congress organised by a faction
loyal to Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, produced Benjamin Omale as the state
chairman.
The Agada-led congress was attended by party stakeholders
from the 23 LGAs of Benue, including one of the two senators from the state and
nine members of the House of Representatives.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) and security agencies reportedly observed the proceedings.
In his acceptance speech, Agada thanked party members for “a
peaceful congress”.
“In 2022, when you gave us the mandate to lead you, we
assured you that the APC, which was then the opposition party, would be brought
to power, which we did,” he said.
“Throughout, you did not betray us despite your suffering to
build this party, and now that you have renewed our tenure, we will not
disappoint you.
“We will stand on the unity of the party as laid down by our
leader, the SGF, and we will work hard to ensure the return of our president,
Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as those who are on our side.”
Philip Agbese, member representing the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo
federal constituency and spokesperson of the Benue national assembly APC
caucus, congratulated Agada and his executives.
“Today, we congratulate Comrade Austin Agada and his State
EXCO for emerging once again,” Agbese said.
“We must also appreciate the entire Congress for believing
in the Agada-led executive.”
On the other hand, the Omale-led faction said its congress
followed a consensus-based process across the state.
James Ornguga, organising secretary of the Alia-aligned
faction, said incumbents could not be automatically reaffirmed without fresh
elections.
He said the tenure of ward executives ended in July 2025,
local government executives’ in September 2025, and state executives’ on
February 8, 2026.
Ornguga described the process conducted by the governor’s
camp as legitimate and transparent.
The dispute follows earlier disagreements between supporters
of Akume and Alia over key appointments and party leadership in the state.
On February 24, Vice-President Kashim Shettima appealed to
Akume and Alia to put aside their differences and work together for the good of
the state.
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