The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomon, in a statement in Makurdi said, “The National Secretariat of our great party has since restored the status of Comr. Austine Agada as member and state chairman of the APC in Benue state and all well meaning members of the party have returned to status quo. The executives of our party in Ehaje ward 1 have since unearthed the mischief that shamelessly played out leading to reports of the purported suspension of the state chairman which have no place in the party’s Constitution.”
AgadaAccording to him, the office of the governor of a state has so much powers but it does not include appointment or inauguration of party officials. He insisted that the State Executive Committee of the APC remained united, untouched, strong and legitimately in charge.
However the Alia faction refused to let it go. They would not give up on their resolve to oust the state party chairman. The group went to court and got an injunction restraining Agada from parading himself as the state chairman of the party. This development led to the barricading the state secretariat of the party by armed security operatives who took over the facility and stationed themselves at the gate.
As this unusual drama continued to unfold, the Akume faction also approached the court. The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese reinstated Agada as the Chairman of the APC. Justice Ikpambese declared the suspension as null and void as he explained that the case was not assigned to any judge even as the seven days for the injunction according to him had elapsed.
This put the Agada group in a fresh celebratory mood. Addressing newsmen and party faithful at the party secretariat in Makurdi the embattled Chairman, Agada stated that the State Executive Committee of the APC remained united and in charge.
He appreciated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume for his unparalleled devotion to the good fortunes of the party and delivery of the dividends of democracy to Benue State and Nigeria at large in realization of the renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government. “Sen George Akume is an icon that deserves our continuous prayers, best wishes and support,” he stressed.
Agada also reiterated his support for the APC administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia and called for synergy amongst all party members and those in public offices to collectively deliver APC’s campaign promises to the long suffering people of Benue State.
“The APC is a great tree that shelters all and in the spirit of brotherhood let us strive to water rather than cut down its roots. I assure you all that going forward, the Benue APC under my leadership will continue to accommodate all shades of opinions and continuously engage critical stakeholders and party men in general towards making our party a people-centred party,” he said.
As is often the case in such situations, this seemingly endless show of power by party leaders does not serve the interest of the people of the state. Rather the saying that when two elephants fight the grass suffers is what is playing out in the state. Benue people are at the receiving end. And politicians need to move past the needless bickering, put their house in order, and begin to work for the good of the people and the state.
CONCLUDED
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