No parallel congress in Benue APC, party united under recognised structure — Dan Onjeh

The 2023 senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue South, Dan Onjeh, has dismissed reports of parallel congresses in the state, insisting that the exercise was conducted peacefully and in accordance with party guidelines.

Speaking on the outcome of the recently concluded congress, Onjeh said media reports suggesting factional activities were exaggerated, maintaining that only one recognised leadership structure currently exists within the party in Benue State.

According to him, the faction allegedly led by Austin Agada no longer exists, having ceased operations since 2025.

“There was no parallel congress anywhere in Benue. At present, the chairman of the APC in Benue State, Chief Benjamin Omale, oversees the party’s activities under the constitutional authority of the National Working Committee,” he said.

Onjeh explained that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) retains the constitutional power to intervene in state structures whenever necessary to prevent internal disputes from undermining party operations.

He stressed that once directives are issued by the national leadership, any ambiguity surrounding party administration is resolved, adding that claims of factional leadership must be supported with verifiable evidence.

The APC chieftain further noted that across Nigeria, governors traditionally serve as party leaders at the state level, with national officers maintaining communication before and after congresses to ensure compliance with party procedures.

Reacting to media reports linking alleged divisions within the party to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Onjeh maintained that the APC in Benue remains united.

He said all congresses conducted in the state followed official provisions and were supervised in line with established party rules.

“There is only one recognised structure of the party, and any claim to the contrary must be backed with credible proof,” he stated.

Onjeh also warned against any self organised electoral processes outside the party’s approved framework, describing such actions as unconstitutional and invalid.

According to him, recognised congresses are properly supervised, documented, and formally communicated to the national leadership in line with party regulations.

“In summary, the just concluded APC congress in Benue State was conducted peacefully in line with national guidelines. There were no parallel elections or factional disputes,” he added.