The leadership crisis within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new turn following former chairman Austin Agada’s attendance at a recent national party meeting in Abuja, where national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, was also present.
In response to Agada’s presence at the meeting, Caretaker Committee Chairman Benjamin Omale issued a statement on Thursday, accusing Agada of gatecrashing the event to garner publicity.
Omale further labeled Agada an “imposter,” claiming he staged a “sneak and snap show” to falsely create an impression of legitimacy.
The APC in Benue has been embroiled in a power struggle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
In response to the internal conflict, the party’s national leadership dissolved the Agada-led state working committee and appointed Omale as chairman of the caretaker committee.
However, Agada challenged the decision in the Benue State High Court, which ruled in his favor and reinstated him as the party’s chairman. Despite the court ruling, Omale and his caretaker committee have continued to manage the party’s affairs.
Omale accused Agada of routinely appearing at APC national meetings, positioning himself for photo opportunities with the party’s national chairman. “Austin Agada now specializes in sneaking into meetings where the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Ganduje, is present, standing behind him for a snapshot, and leaving immediately,” Omale stated.
He emphasized that Agada no longer holds the position of APC chairman in Benue, stressing that the caretaker committee has successfully led the party to a landslide victory in the October 5, 2024, local government elections. “It is deeply concerning and deceptive that Austin Agada continues to present himself as the APC Chairman in Benue, despite his removal,” Omale said.
Regarding Agada’s attendance at the February 11 meeting, Omale categorically denied that Agada was invited. “The latest in his series of misleading antics is his claim of attending a strategic meeting with the APC National Leadership and North Central Governors. We affirm that Austin Agada was neither invited nor was there any meeting that justified his presence,” Omale stated.
He further accused Agada of taking photographs at the meeting and using them to mislead the public. Omale assured party members that the national leadership had been informed and that steps would be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
In a prompt response, Agada refuted Omale’s claims, asserting that he remains the legitimately elected chairman and was officially invited to the Abuja meeting.
In a statement issued by the Agada-led faction’s Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, read: “Regarding the alleged attendance at the national meeting in Abuja, we wish to categorically state that the Chairman was duly invited and participated in the meeting as the legitimate State Chairman of APC Benue State.
The insinuation that he attended without an invitation is false and an attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine his leadership.”
Ihomun further dismissed Omale’s position, claiming that Omale is not a recognized member of the APC in Benue State. “It is clear that Benjamin Omale is not a member of the APC in Benue, as his name is not on the register of Onyagede-Ihaje Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area. The position of ‘Caretaker Committee Chairman’ is non-existent in the APC Constitution (2022 Amended),” Ihomun asserted.
The escalating dispute between the two factions highlights the deepening division within the Benue APC, as both sides continue to lay claim to the leadership of the party in the state.
