The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is currently in turmoil as the local government chairmen have accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of engaging in anti-party activities. This accusation was made in a communique issued after a meeting of the forum on Friday.
In the communique, the forum outlined several instances of strained relations between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the party, including his refusal to collaborate with the party’s leadership and members in the state. They cited inaccessibility, non-responsiveness to phone calls, and the exclusion of party leadership in key government appointments as evidence of the governor’s deliberate refusal to work with the party.
One of the key points of contention highlighted in the communique was the recent constitution of local government caretaker committees. The forum alleged that the governor unilaterally produced a list that included individuals from opposition parties who did not support the APC’s victory. This move was seen as a direct affront to the party’s interests and a betrayal of the trust placed in Governor Alia.
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The forum, led by Austin Agada, expressed satisfaction with the national APC leadership, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who is the leader of the party in Benue State and the North-Central Geopolitical Zone. However, they made it clear that they were distancing themselves from Governor Alia’s decision to sideline the party’s leadership in the formulation of policies and programs.
The local government chairmen criticized the governor’s unilateral handling of state affairs without consulting the party, emphasizing the importance of respecting the structures and leadership of political parties in a democratic system. They also expressed concern about the governor’s disposition, which they perceived as an anti-party activity and ingratitude.
In response to these issues, the forum resolved to disassociate itself from state and local government functions unless the issues raised were addressed. Additionally, they planned to stage peaceful protests at various offices, including the APC State Secretariat, Benue State House of Assembly Complex, Government House in Makurdi, APC National Secretariat in Abuja, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.
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The accusations and resolutions put forth by the local government chairmen have thrown the APC in Benue State into a state of uncertainty and conflict. The rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the party’s leadership has the potential to disrupt the political landscape in the state and create a divide within the party.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the national APC leadership will respond to the allegations and whether Governor Alia will address the concerns raised by the local government chairmen. The outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching implications for the future of the APC in Benue State and the North-Central Geopolitical Zone.
In the meantime, the local government chairmen are standing firm in their resolve to hold Governor Alia accountable for his actions and to ensure that the party’s interests are protected. The coming days and weeks will undoubtedly be filled with tension and uncertainty as the APC in Benue State grapples with this internal crisis.
