Follow Us on Google
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Fresh crisis has erupted in the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a petition by some party chieftains demanding the suspension of its former state chairman, Austin Agada, over alleged anti-party activities and involvement in the Rainbow Coalition.
Operating under the auspices of the APC Solidarity Group, the stakeholders petitioned the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) through the Office of the National Chairman, calling for an investigation and appropriate sanctions against Agada.
The petition, signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Sa’idu Muhammad, accused the former chairman of endorsing Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and publicly opposing APC candidates in Benue South Senatorial District.
An acknowledged copy of the petition, dated October 2, 2026, was titled: “Petition against anti-party activities, public opposition to the APC governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue South Senatorial District, Zone C of Benue State: A conduct prejudicial to the interest of the APC at large.”
The group urged the NWC to constitute an investigative committee, invite Agada to respond to the allegations and, if found guilty, subject him to disciplinary action, which should be publicised as a deterrent to other members.
The petitioners alleged that Agada, who leads a faction of the APC loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had openly endorsed Moro for re-election to the Senate in 2027.
They claimed that campaign banners bearing the photographs of President Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, and Moro, a PDP senatorial candidate, had been produced and circulated.
The petitioners also accused Agada of declaring during a television interview on September 28, 2026, that he had no reason to campaign for the re-election of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“Agada’s position is contrary to the position of the governors elected on the platform of the APC, which was communicated through the Progressives Governors Forum and endorsed by the 36 state chapters of the party and the Federal Capital Territory through the state chairmen,” the petition stated.
“The interview, as confirmed by the recording of the programme, raises serious questions about party loyalty and compliance with the obligations expected of a senior member of the APC under the party’s constitution.”
The group further accused Agada of participating in the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, which it described as the Rainbow Coalition in Benue State, comprising members of the PDP, Social Democratic Party, Labour Party and Nigerian Democratic Congress.
“We are concerned about Agada’s reported activities within a group known as the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, the Rainbow Coalition in Benue, which is in bed with the PDP, SDP, LP and NDC, particularly where such activities are conducted in a manner that opposes or undermines the APC’s officially recognised political structure and its governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue State,” the petition read.
While acknowledging that support for Tinubu’s re-election was consistent with the APC’s national interest, the group argued that it should not become a platform for campaigning against other candidates validly nominated by the party.
Other News
“We firmly acknowledge that supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is consistent with the APC’s national interest. However, support for the President should not be used as a basis for campaigning against other candidates of the APC where the party has established candidates and a recognised campaign structure.
“The central issue before the party is, therefore, not whether Agada supports President Tinubu, but whether his activities amount to conduct that undermines the APC, its candidates, structures or electoral interests in Benue State, or violates the relevant provisions of the APC Constitution,” it stated.
The stakeholders urged the NWC to examine Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether Agada’s activities amounted to punishable anti-party conduct.
They maintained that the petition arose from their commitment to party supremacy, discipline and unity ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We submit that, where the allegations against Austin Agada are established by the evidence attached, the appropriate sanctions provided under the Constitution should be applied immediately to serve as a deterrent to others planning to engage in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We consider this matter particularly serious because Agada is not an ordinary member of the APC without the requisite knowledge of the party’s constitution, structures and obligations.
“As a former chairman of the APC in Benue State, he understands the importance of party supremacy, discipline, loyalty and respect for constituted party organs. His previous leadership position makes his public opposition to the party’s governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates a matter requiring the attention of the national leadership,” the petition added.
The group warned that the Benue chapter could not afford a situation in which senior members openly campaigned for opposition parties against candidates validly nominated by the APC.
“The party’s national leadership has repeatedly emphasised the importance of unity ahead of the 2027 general election. Recent public discussions concerning divisions within the Benue APC have similarly highlighted concerns about the effect of internal disputes on the party’s cohesion.
“We believe that the National Working Committee should act within the framework of the party’s constitution to prevent indiscipline from becoming the norm, as the power to discipline members is vested in it.”
The petitioners said their members, particularly those from Benue State, had repeatedly complained about Agada’s alleged endorsement of opposition candidates where the APC had validly nominated contestants.
“The APC is bigger than any individual, group or political interest. Its strength depends upon discipline, loyalty, internal democracy, party supremacy and respect for the decisions of its recognised organs.
“We respectfully request the National Working Committee to cause this petition to be investigated and, where the allegations are proven, ensure that the appropriate disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with the Constitution.
“This will reinforce the principle that no member, irrespective of his previous position or present appointment, is above the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress,” the group declared.
