A recent petition filed by Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Benue South, against Austine Agada, the Benue State APC Chairman, has sparked a wave of criticism from Martinez Ibn Tyotsumeh, a party stalwart.
In his petition to the APC’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Onjeh accused Agada and his supporters of manipulating the 2023 senatorial election in Benue South in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abba Moro. However, Agada swiftly refuted these claims, expressing his reluctance to engage in a dispute with Onjeh.
Tyotsumeh, known for his significant presence in Benue’s political landscape, condemned Onjeh’s allegations, labeling them as groundless. He pointed out that Onjeh’s pattern of blaming others for his electoral defeats raises doubts about the veracity of his accusations. Tyotsumeh further characterized Onjeh as “a pushover and cry baby” and urged the party’s leadership to intervene in order to prevent chaos within the Benue APC.
In a candid statement, Tyotsumeh highlighted Onjeh’s consistent failure to acknowledge his own role in electoral setbacks, emphasizing that Onjeh’s propensity to shift blame disregards the support he received from individuals such as Agada, Morgan Okpeh, and Joe Poxy Idoko. Tyotsumeh underscored Agada’s stewardship, noting the expansion of the APC’s influence in Benue under his leadership, including securing the state for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the face of significant opposition.
Delving into Onjeh’s electoral history, Tyotsumeh recounted Onjeh’s series of defeats in various political contests, underscoring that Agada was not involved in these past losses. Tyotsumeh questioned Onjeh’s rationale in accusing Agada of supporting the PDP senatorial candidate, given the evident lack of influence Agada had in Onjeh’s electoral losses prior to his tenure as chairman.
With this critique, Tyotsumeh endeavored to shed light on the dynamics at play in Benue State politics and to call into question the validity of Onjeh’s petition against Agada.
The clash between these prominent APC figures underscores the intensity of political rivalries within the Nigerian political landscape, casting a spotlight on the intricate power struggles that shape the country’s governance. As Benue State becomes a focal point of national political discourse, the repercussions of this feud may have far-reaching implications for the APC’s standing in the region.
