Benue LG election: APC crisis worsens as new list of candidates emerges

The internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has taken a new turn with the announcement of a fresh list of 299 candidates for the upcoming October 5 local government elections. This list, unveiled by the party’s Caretaker Committee, includes 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates.

The new list, released by the Caretaker Committee led by Benjamin Omale, has intensified the conflict between the ousted Austin Agada-led State Working Committee (SWC) and the newly appointed leadership. The Agada faction had previously released its own list of candidates on August 26, further complicating the party’s internal struggle.

Speaking to the media in Makurdi, the Organising Secretary and spokesperson for the Caretaker Committee, James Ornguga, affirmed that the party’s recent primaries were conducted without violence. He praised the aspirants for their orderly conduct and emphasized that the screening process, held from September 1 to 2, was handled efficiently by the Barr. Moses Atagher-led Screening Appeal Committee.

The crisis within the Benue APC stems from a broader power tussle involving Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The conflict escalated following the dissolution of the previous executive committee by the APC National Working Committee and the subsequent appointment of a caretaker committee.

In a bid to maintain his influence, Agada sought a court injunction to halt any further interference in the party’s affairs. Justice Theresa Igoche granted an interim injunction, with further legal proceedings set for September 10.