The Benue State High Court, sitting in Makurdi, has issued a restraining order preventing the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from dissolving the duly elected Benue State Executives of the party, led by Comrade Austin Agada.
This ruling comes amidst ongoing political tensions between Agada and the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. Governor Alia had reportedly formed a faction within the APC, appointing the State Welfare Officer, Benjamin Omakolo, as Acting Chairman in an attempt to challenge Agada’s leadership.
In response, Agada sought legal intervention, requesting that the court prohibit the APC from prematurely terminating his tenure before the completion of his four-year term in office.
In her ruling, Justice Theresa Igoche granted Agada’s motion, restraining the national leadership of the APC, along with its agents, representatives, staff, or any other persons acting on its behalf, from removing, replacing, or otherwise terminating the tenure of Agada and the other members of the Benue State Working Committee. This order will remain in effect until the expiration of their four-year term or pending the determination of the substantive motion.
The APC in Benue has been embroiled in internal conflict, particularly since the inauguration of the Benue State House of Assembly, which saw the controversial emergence of Hon. Aondouna Dajoh as Speaker over Hon. Becky Orpin, both of whom are members of the APC. This ongoing crisis has further deepened divisions within the party at the state level.
