Benue APC crisis: It’s time to move forward – Austin Agada

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Austine Agada has reacted to the court’s judgement, which reinstated him as the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

Recall that a court order had prevented Agada from parading himself as chairman of the party.

Consequently, Benjamin Omakolo was announced as Agada’s replacement.
However, a Benue State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, reinstated Austin Agada as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.

The Chief Judge ruled that under Order 39, Rule 3 of the Benue State High Court Procedure Rules, 2023, the lifespan of an interim order is seven days, and since the order was issued on February 2, 2024, it has elapsed by law.

Reacting, Agada, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday, said it it time to move on and build a strong and united party despite the distractions.

He said.
Gentlemen of the press,

1. It is expedient for me to brief the teeming members of our party and the public in general concerning the state of affairs of our party, the APC in Benue State.

2. The past few weeks have witnessed feverish but unnecessary clandestine plots for the soul of the leadership of the APC in Benue State.

3. Thankfully, the judiciary which is the statutory arbiter for engendering law and order, yesterday, Monday, the 12th February, 2024 put a halt to these clandestine moves by a land mark ruling by no less a personage than the Honourable Chief Judge of Benue State, the Honourable Justice Maurice A. Ikpambese.

4. For and on behalf of the APC, a party that is founded firmly and deeply rooted in unalloyed respect for the rule of law, I extend my thanks to the judiciary for its courageous stand in the face of daunting institutional pressures and challenges.

5. I do not intend to use this platform as a narrative to tell the orchestrated chain of events that has taken us down this unnecessary route. I only wish to assert that the APC under my leadership in Benue State is forging ahead on an irreversible train of service delivery to our people and I call on all and sundry not to be left behind.

6. I want to thank His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume for his unparalleled devotion to the good fortunes of our party and delivery of the dividends of democracy to Benue State and Nigeria at large in realization of the renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government. Sen. Dr George Akume is an icon that deserves our continuous prayers, best wishes and support.

7. We reiterate our support for the APC administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia~ See comments box for details.