Benue APC crisis deepen as party NWC meets Gov Alia, Akume loyalists today

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to meet today with Benue State senators, House of Representatives members, and key stakeholders in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The Benue chapter of the APC has been deeply divided for over a year, with political factions battling for control of the party. The faction led by Austin Agada aligns with Akume, while Benjamin Omakolo leads the faction loyal to Governor Alia.

Nze Chidi Duru, the National Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, revealed in an interview on Monday that the party’s leadership plans to engage with the aggrieved members and stakeholders at the APC’s national headquarters on Tuesday to address the lingering feud and restore unity within the party.

He said, “I don’t know about that (sanctions). The party has not discussed anything about them. But I know we are having a meeting with the stakeholders of Benue tomorrow. In particular, we will be meeting with senators and House of Reps members from the state by 10 am.

“After that, there will be a meeting with the (newly installed) Benue APC caretaker committee that was put in place. The second meeting will be at 2 pm at the party secretariat in Abuja.

“As earlier said, I am not aware of this issue you raised. I only know we are having a meeting to discuss with Benue APC stakeholders on Tuesday.”

The political crisis in Benue APC took another dimension last Wednesday when the NWC announced the dissolution of the Agada-led executives loyal to Akume.

In its place, the ruling party immediately inaugurated a seven-man caretaker committee to take over the party affairs at the state level for six months.