The Austine-Agada led leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has warned that demands for new leadership elections ahead of Saturday’s local council polls could spark legal chaos.
Agada, who leads one faction of the deeply divided state chapter of the APC, insisted that there is already a legitimate party executive in place that members wish to affirm.
In an exclusive interview Saturday with our correspondent, Agada dismissed calls for fresh congresses to elect a new executive committee.
“They want fresh congresses to elect new exco; we are going with affirmation because there has been an existing executive,” Agada said.
He said “It is not going to work, and if they proceed, it means that legal issues will certainly arise.”
The standoff reflects broader infighting within the APC in Benue, long plagued by factionalism.
The dispute, which began shortly after Governor Alia’s inauguration in 2023, has divided the party into two factions within the State.
Rival groups have clashed over control of the party’s machinery, with accusations of imposition and court battles stalling progress.
Agada’s faction claims legitimacy from prior congresses, but opponents argue for new polls to reflect grassroots wishes.
After Wednesday’s congresses in the State, both factions announced separate ward executive committees.
The Austin Agada-led executive, aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, maintained that the exercise amounted to a reaffirmation of existing ward executives.
Governor Alia however insists that the congresses were conducted peacefully and has commended the APC in the State for the successful outing.
