From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Former Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute has identified battle for supremacy and leadership struggle as the main cause of the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Benue state.
Recall that last Monday, a group of elder statesmen led by Sen. Ameh Ebute, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Gen. Lawrence Onoja and the others, under the Concerned APC Stakeholders In Benue State, met over recent attacks on the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia and Government of Benue state.
They particularly expressed displeasure over the content of the communiqué signed by the APC LG chairmen, as well as the resolution of the state working committee, in respect to leadership, meetings and party activities.
After the meeting, the elders, among other resolutions, appealed to all stakeholders to desist from further actions and retreat to allow elders and major stakeholders to wade into the matter and seek appropriate answers to all issues.
Sen. Ebute who spoke to newsmen on phone on Wednesday, regretted that after all the entreaties, the aggrieved parties have remained adamant and have refused to resolve the rift.
He explained that “The aim of our meeting was to broker peace and the people between which we should make peace are adamant and did not accept our decisions and that is a big departure from the politics that I am used to.
“In every organisation there must be discipline for progress to be made. We must exercise some level of restraints and instill respect among the rank and file of the party. I can not imagine that imminent members of a political party met with the governor and call on people to come to the table for discussion and they refused. I’m surprised.
“I wanted to tell you that the problem of our party in Benue State is that of leadership of the party. Who is the leader of the party in Benue? That is the main issue. Do you agree with me that the whole issue boils down to who is the leader of the party in Benue State and I am sure that before the end of the month the party at the national level will make a pronouncement as to who is the leader of the party in the state.
“What is the position in other states of the Federation where we have a governor in power? the Governor of that State is the leader of the party in the State”, he said.
The APC chieftain, however, faulted Governor Hyacinth Alia for swearing-in caretaker committee chairmen at night.
He wondered why the Governor hurriedly swore-in the chairmen contrary to advice by elders of the APC who had met with him on Monday 4th December, 2023.
Ebute, who acknowledged that it is the duty of the Governor to select and inaugurate Caretaker Chairmen, said the Governor could have performed the swearing-in the next day which is Tuesday.
He said “Swearing-in chairmen in the midnight is uncommon. Why midnight? They were afraid of who? You surround yourself with security personnel and it can be done during the day. That was not done on our advice and the advice of the elders.”