The APC in Benue has been in turmoil for the past couple of months. As the crisis worsens, the party has produced two parallel chairmanship and councillorship candidates for each seat ahead of the October 5 Local Government elections, defying President Tinubu’s reported call for peaceful coexistence.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, September 12, the NASS caucus accused Governor Alia of refusing to reconcile with his political benefactor, Senator George Akume, despite interventions from the Presidency, APC national leadership, and the Tor Tiv, HRM Professor James Ayatse.
Reacting, the caucus spokesperson, Rep. Philip Agbese, described Alia’s actions as “a cog in the wheel of progress” and stated that the caucus was not surprised, given Alia’s alleged history of disrespecting authority.
However, he expressed optimism that the crisis would soon be resolved, citing President Tinubu’s desire for a united APC family in Benue.
He urged the party faithful to remain committed to the party’s ideology and assured them that peace would soon return.
Agbese accused Alia of desperation, recruiting non-party members into the conflict and plunging the state into a deeper political quagmire.
He concluded by assuring that the members of the National Assembly from Benue state remain intact and committed to the party’s victory in 2027.
Meanwhile, TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that the Austin Agada-led APC in Benue state put forward 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates for the upcoming Local Government election scheduled for October 5 in the state.
The nomination exercise was carried out on Saturday, August 24, across all ward headquarters in the 23 local government areas.
A statement issued by the media office of the APC state chairman on Monday, August 26, in Abuja confirmed that the primary elections were conducted primarily through consensus and affirmations in many local governments and council wards.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
