The internal turmoil within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) shows no signs of abating, as the rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia’s camp and the party’s leadership deepens.

Since the inception of the new government led by Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, the leadership crisis has only escalated, with no resolution in sight. The strained relationship between Governor Alia and the party’s state leader, George Akume, has caused a sharp divide among members, with the State Party Chairman, Austin Agada, and the majority of the executive committee members pledging loyalty to Akume.

However, a minority faction has sided with Governor Alia, leading to further internal strife. The conflict reached a boiling point when Dan Onjeh, the APC senatorial candidate in the 2023 Benue South election and a staunch supporter of Governor Alia, filed a petition against Agada, accusing him of undermining the party’s interests during the previous election.

The situation escalated when Agada was suspended by a former Ward Chairman, only for the national body to nullify the suspension and appoint Benjamin Omakolo as the acting chairman. However, Omakolo was later suspended by the party’s disciplinary committee over allegations of fund misappropriation and insubordination.

The faction aligned with Governor Alia obtained a court order restraining Agada from functioning as the party chairman, but a ruling by the Benue State High Court reinstated Agada, citing legal timelines. This legal back-and-forth has plunged the Benue State APC into a prolonged legal battle, prompting the national APC to issue a one-week ultimatum for members to cease their internal conflicts and withdraw all ongoing court cases.

Despite the directive, the faction loyal to Governor Alia has yet to withdraw the case from court and has even inaugurated a parallel executive to lead the party. Governor Alia has reiterated his allegiance to the National Working Committee (NWC), while Agada has instructed all parties who took the party to court to withdraw their cases in compliance with the national body’s directive.

The ongoing power struggle within the Benue State APC highlights the deep-seated divisions within the party and the challenges faced in achieving unity and cohesion. As the conflict continues to unfold, the future of the party in the state remains uncertain, with both factions standing firm in their positions.