Relief seems not to be in sight for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue State following the emergence of two state chairmen.
It would be recalled that the party, which has been enmeshed in an internal crisis, barely five days after the inauguration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, precisely, June 5, 2023, had its then state chairman, Austin Agada purportedly suspendedby eight members of his Ehaje council ward in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
The suspension was followed by a court order restraining Agada from parading himself as the party chairman and subsequently, an acting chairman, Benjamin Omakolo was appointed by the state executive committee of the APC chaired by Governor Alia.
While the celebration of the emergence of the acting chairman was ongoing, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese vacated the court order for not following due processes and reinstated the sacked chairman (Agada).
Since then, the party has further polarised with the party stakeholders in the state recognizing Agada as the party chairman, the Alia-led cabinet is rallying support behind the acting chairman, Benjamin Omakolo.
Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the Omakolo-led team now has its secretary, Richard Mzungwe and assistant publicity secretary, Ada Inalegwu.
But the Agada-led state working committee was further strengthened two Sundays ago during the party stakeholders’ meeting with the replacement of some vacant positions as a result of resignation or death.
Among those replaced are; the state secretary of the party, Donald Amokaha Gbougbor, assistant state woman leader, Margaret Adom, State legal officer, Matthew Alyebo State assistant welfare secretary, Ijirbee Iorkusu.
The party stakeholders in a unanimous voice passed a vote of confidence in Austin Agada as the party chairman.
While the working committee under Agada carries on as the recognized party executive in the state, the Omakolo-led team also shows its presence at any state government functions.
During the Leadership newspaper award ceremony held in Abuja, on Tuesday, Omakolo was presented as the state acting chairman of the party at the occasion.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Agada has urged the people of the state to remain resolute and keep faith with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Agada stated this on Saturday, while speaking at the interment of Mrs Msoo Sam Tar in Ushongo LGA of the state.
Agada said the Benue APC was appreciative of the pivotal roles played by the former Women Leader in helping the party win the 2023 elections in the area.
A former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Terkimbi Ikyange, who spoke on behalf of Governor Alia, urged people of the state to return to their games as there was not enough funds for state government to tackle hunger and insecurity decisively in the state.
Reacting, the Executive Director, Housing, Finance and Accounts, Federal Housing Authority, Dr. Mathias Byuan maintained that the Federal Government has made available more than enough funds and palliatives to states for governors to use in tackling hunger and insecurity.
He recalled that the president recently disclosed that states with security challenges get 9 to 10 billion naira as security votes every month and Benue cannot be said to be lacking funds to tackle food shortages and insecurity in the state.
Dr Mathias Terwase Byuan, who responded as an appointee of President Bola Tinubu, extended his condolences to the deceased family.
He eulogised the Mrs Msoo Sam Tar for her motherly role and prayed God to console the immediate family and the entire Benue people.
“Mr President implored the government of Benue State to effectively utilize financial allocations granted to the state to solve both food and security crisis,” Byuan said.
She also reaffirmed President Tinubu’s resolve to appoint more Benue sons and daughters in his administration.
Earlier, the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Pius Akutah poured encomiums on President Tinubu for appointing Benue people into top government offices.
The MD/CEO of Shippers Council reassured Benue youths and women of Senator George Akume’s readiness to carry them along. Akutah said the SGF has made the upliftment of youths and women in the society his priority because they are the people who have been the pillar behind his political success since 1999.
According to the SGF, Tinubu has great love for Benue State and that is why he is drawing Benue people closer to power.
He highlighted the distribution of fertilizers to Benue State during the last farming season as another show of love and concern by President Tinubu for Benue people. The SGF stated that the president has deployed enough security personnel to stop the killings in the state and is urging the state governor to make use of the security architecture available to end the killings in the state.
The occasion was attended by Prince Ademola Adetokunbo Ade-John, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Coastal Tourism and Recreation, Members of the APC State Working Committee, party stakeholders and political associates.
