Internal Crisis Rocks Benue State APC as Factional Leaders Clash Over Party Supremacy

The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is embroiled in an unending internal crisis as the Austin Agada-led faction and Benjamin Omakolo’s faction reignited their bitter battle of legitimacy and supremacy in Makurdi.

The conflict escalated when the Agada-led faction, reportedly backed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume, inaugurated members of an Ad Hoc Zoning Committee for the forthcoming local government election in an unknown location in Makurdi.

In a press statement, the party’s Publicity Secretary in Benue State, Hon. Daniel Ihonmu, announced the inauguration and the commencement of the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the election.

He stated that women would obtain both forms free of charge and directed all payments to be made through a specified Zenith Bank account.

However, a few minutes later, the Omakolo-led faction, reportedly backed by Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, issued a counter statement warning against what they termed “Diaspora Yahoo Arrangements.”

They cautioned party members to disregard any election notices from Daniel Ihonmu and insisted that all election correspondence would come from the faction led by Omakolo.

The factional Organizing Secretary of the party, Hon. James Ornguga, emphasized that the party cannot begin the sale of forms without the due approval of the State Executive Council and Governor Hyacinth Alia, who is the State Leader of the party.

He warned party members against making any payments into accounts provided by the Benue APC diaspora group, describing such actions as personal risks.

The ongoing crisis in the Benue State APC is seen as a battle of supremacy between Sen. Akume and Governor Alia over who should lead the party and control its structures in the state.