The ongoing crisis within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated on Monday after the dissolved Austin Agada-led faction announced the nomination of 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates for the upcoming October 5th local government elections.
These nominations were made during primaries held on Saturday across all wards in the state’s 23 local government areas.
The development comes amid internal strife following the dissolution of the Agada-led executive by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a decision that has sparked legal battles and defiance, News360 Nigeria reports.
The dissolved executive members, led by Austin Agada, have taken legal action against Ganduje and the National Working Committee (NWC), claiming that the dissolution ignored an ex parte order from a Benue High Court, which restrained the NWC from removing the Agada-led State Working Committee before the completion of their four-year tenure.
Justice Theresa Igoche had granted the order, which temporarily halted the removal of Agada and his executives. However, despite this court order, the APC proceeded with the dissolution and set up a seven-member caretaker committee to manage the state’s party affairs for six months.
The internal conflict within the Benue APC has seen the Agada-led faction, supported by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, at odds with Governor Hyacinth Alia, who backs the rival Benjamin Omakolo-led faction.
Despite the turmoil, the Agada-led faction has vowed to continue its operations, with the primary elections reportedly conducted through consensus and affirmations.
In the statement, the APC Chairman of Guma Local Government, Lazarus Asema, also described the process as peaceful and lauded the leadership of the APC in the state for effective leadership and proper organisation.
He said, “I am impressed with the process and commended stakeholders in the Local Governments for the successful primary election.
“I also thank the people, particularly party faithful for conducting themselves and the exercise peacefully.”
The primary exercise produced the following chairmanship candidates: Elias Ogbu (Ado), Tarkaa Solomon (Konshisha), Chia Terna (Vandeikya,) Atom Phillip (Kwande), Andrew Ocheme (Ogbadibo), Ogbole Mathew (Obi), Napoleon Otache (Agatu), Elias Ogbu (Ado), Eje Elvis (Apa), Washima Haris (Katsina-Ala), Ajeh Ogah (Ohimini) and Akombo Stephen (Logo).
Others include Terver Agwaza (Ukum), Benjamin Atoza (Gwer), Denise China (Gwer West), Vincent Apera (Guma), James Agudu (Buruku), Tyopaase Benjamin (Ushongo), Mrs Ene Ameh (Okpokwu), Jonathan Shimgbe (Makurdi) and Jackson Udama (Oju).
In Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Simon Aluor, who took part in the primaries said that APC has shown a good example of orderliness and peace.
In Otukpo, the party faithful in the area also trooped out in their numbers and voted in affirmation of their preferred chairmanship aspirant, Oleho Augustine.
