The national working committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved its state working committee in Benue State. This action follows an unending leadership crisis in the Benue chapter of the party, which has seen two factions emerge.
There is the Benjamin Omakolo-led faction loyal to the Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, while the faction led by Agada is loyal to George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF). Agada was elected Chairman in the last state Congress of the APC before the 2023 general elections.
However, in March, Governor Alia inaugurated the Omakolo-led faction after Agada was allegedly suspended from his ward at Ehaje. His opponents also approached a court in Benue which restrained him from parading himself as chairman of APC in Benue.
Following unsuccessful attempts to reconcile the warring factions, on Wednesday, the national leadership of the APC led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, announced the dissolution of both factions and inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the APC in Benue.
According to a statement from the APC headquarters in Abuja, the caretaker committee inaugurated for Benue would serve for six months.
The caretaker committee members include Benjamin Omale (chair), Bem Angwe (secretary), Richard Mzungweve, James Ornguga, Terhemen Ngbea, Helen Agaigbe, and Ali Francis Adah.
The rift between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia is responsible for the power tussle between both factions of the party in the state. The battle for the control of the soul of APC in Benue State has been raging for months despite repeated attempts to reconcile the SGF and the Governor.