From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has called on the supporters of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state to continue to keep faith with the party, as the only platform with good plans to change the fortunes Nigerians in the state and those across the nation.
The governor made the call on Wednesday night, February 7, 2024, when the State Executive Committee members of the party, visited him at Government House, Makurdi.
They had visited requesting that the vacant position of the state Chairman of the party be filled, in order to save it from further crisis.
While regretting the suspension of Comrade Austin Agada by his Ehaje ward 1 EXCO, which was later followed by a court injunction, restraining him from parading as the State Chairman of the party, the governor said he had faced so much pressure from the stakeholders of the party in Zone C, whom have recommended a replacement for the vacant position in order to keep the party going.
To reduce the pressure on him and to also stop the party from facing further troubles, Alia said he has been left with no choice than to direct Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, the Welfare Secretary of the party in the state, to step in as the acting party chairman, pending the outcome of the court case instituted against Agada.
While thanking the stakeholders of the party from Zone C for recommending a capable replacement for the vacant position of the state chairman, the governor equally called on all the APC faithful in the state to support Omakolo, as he assumes the duty of piloting the affairs of the APC in the state.
Earlier, the Organizing Secretary of the APC in the state, Hon. James Ornguga, said they were pleased to come before the governor to explain to him the turbulent times the party and its supporters were facing as a result of the suspension and the subsisting court order restraining Hon. Agada from acting as the chairman of the party in the state.
He urged the governor to use his office as the governor and leader of the party in the state, to fill the vacant position of the State Chairman, in order to stop the party from sinking further.
The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, the Secretary of the APC in Ogbadibo Local Government, Comrade Abba Isaiah, the Chairman of the APC in Konshisha Local Government, Hon. Aginde Daniel, as well as the State Assistant Legal Adviser of the party in the state, Hon. Ajuma Success, all commended the zone (C) APC stakeholders for encouraging the governor to fill the vacant position of the state chairman.
They also commended the governor for heeding to the cries of the party faithful in the state, and for giving the nod for Hon. Omakolo to step in as the acting state Chairman of the party, assuring that they will all support him to succeed.
Accepting the new responsibility, the acting State Chairman of APC, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, said he was overwhelmed by the trust the party faithful in the state have reposed in him, promising to unite the party, strategically placing it in a position to win more elections in the future.