EXCLUSIVE: Benue APC considers Austin Agada as Rev Fr Alia’s deputy

Barring any last minute change of mind, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State may settle for Austin Agada as running mate to its standard flag bearer, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, IDOMA VOICE exclusively reports.

Agada, a native of Owukpa in Ogbadibo LGA of the state, is the current chairman of the APC in Benue State, IDOMA VOICE reports.

IDOMA VOICE recalls that Rev Fr Alia reportedly won the APC ticket after polling over 400,000 votes.

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Alia, a suspended Catholic Priest, was said to have floored his opponents, which included: Benard Yisa, Barnabas Gemade, Steve Lawani, Terhemba Shija, Ikya Terlumin, Sam Odeh and others to pick the APC ticket.

Meanwhile, some aspirants have since rejected the outcome of the exercise.

However, an impeccable source told IDOMA VOICE that Agada may be picked to deputize Alia if feelers reaching us are anything to go by.

The reason, the source said, is due to Agada’s popularity among the youths of the state.

Agada is said to be having the backing of the former first family and leader of the APC in Benue George Akume and his wife, Regina.

Coincidentally, Agada is the political godson of Akume.

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The source said about five persons have been penned for the slot but Agada seems to be the favourite.

Although few elders from Enone and Apa/Agatu axis are said to be against him, however, decision makers in the party are said to be rooting for Alia/Agada joint ticket, which their supporters have already christened ‘Benue A+ 2023’.

Agada came into the limelight in 2021 when he, against all odds, emerged the APC chairman in the state.