Politics

Benue: Gov Alia, APC Trade Blames Over Clash Between Supporters

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2024

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State got to a head weekend when some party youths loyal to the acting State Chairman, Benjamin Omakolo and those loyal to embattled State Chairman, Austin Agada engaged in a free-for-all in Makurdi.

The fight which was reported to have also witnessed sounds of gunshots was quelled by stern looking Police personnel who fired rounds of teargas to disperse the youth.

The crisis started when some youths of the party alleged to be loyal to the acting Chairman barricaded the road leading to the APC State Secretariat supporting the Police to cordon off the area to stop any political meeting there, in line with the ban of such activities emplaced by Governor Hyacinth Alia and being enforced by the Police.

However, another group of youths allegedly loyal to Mr. Agada who led his entourage including the Executive Director, Housing, Finance and Accounts, Federal Housing Authority, Dr. Mathias Byuan tried to penetrate the barricade to access state Secretariat on JS Tarka Road, they were resisted by those that had barricaded the access road from the Kashim Ibrahim Way axis of Old GRA, and a free-for-all ensued. It took the intervention of the Police to save the situation.

Reacting to the development in a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula blamed Mr. Agada and his entourage for allegedly using armed youths to instigate the crisis and violating the embargo placed on political meetings and gatherings in the state.

Kula alleged that: “We have received intelligence reports that the suspended state Chairman of the APC in Benue State, Austin Agada and the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Mr. Mathias Byuan have hired armed men into Benue State to shatter the relative peace in Benue State.

“This is against the directive of the governor that all political gatherings in the state be suspended due to the volatile security situation in the state. But shockingly, the armed men who accompanied Agada and Byuan reportedly made their way into the heart of the town in a convoy and started shooting sporadically when they got to Tito Gate, Kashim Ibrahim road, Makurdi.

“The duo led the armed men round parts of the old GRA and were headed to property number 75, J S Tarka way said to be owned by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume when the Nigerian police arrived and began to engage them before they dispersed.

“Recall that Governor Hyacinth Alia had banned all political and social gatherings in the state till further notice. These directives were later publicly communicated to the public through the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command who approved enforcement and equally asked the organizers to call off their meetings.

“The government is worried that some people are still in the habit of insisting to derail the relative peace in the state and hinder development that Governor Alia is bringing home.

“The security atmosphere in Benue State is only gradually returning to calm after it was charged recently following the unprecedented influx of armed herders who were brought in by enemies of the state to destabilize the government.

“We urge Benue people to be security conscious and immediately report activities of these fifth columnists as we call on security agencies to arrest these merchants of crisis and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent to others.”

But in a counter statement, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Daniel Ihomun who blamed Governor Alia for what transpired, alleged that he sent thugs to disrupt the scheduled working visit of Dr. Byuan to the APC State Secretariat by barricading the road.

Ihomun alleged that “Dr. Mathias Byuan who arrived Makurdi and was received by party faithful at Agan toll-gate proceeded to the Secretariat in company of the State Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, and other members of the State Executive Committee in a convoy and were blocked by the governor’s thugs along the Tito gate brandishing dangerous weapons and attacking members of the party.

“Benue APC views this as a very desperate and pedestrian outing by the governor highly unbecoming of the Chief Executive Officer of a state. The APC in Benue State is highly embarrassed by this rogue like outing of the governor and urges members of the party at all levels in the state to remain calm and law abiding.

“The party is equally worried that instead of redeeming the image of the state to attract investments across the globe, Governor Hyacinth Alia has taken it upon himself to trade the fortunes of the state on the alter of politics, demarketing Benue as a state highly insecure to do business or even associate freely.

“Previous administrations in Benue State have made serious efforts at demilitarizing youth in the state. It will be highly unpatriotic for Governor Alia to return the state to the era of encouraging young people to take up arms against people of the state instead of seeking ways to empower them.

“The APC in Benue State strongly condemns this outing of the governor and urges him to wear his thinking cap before he causes further damage to the image and prosperity of Benue state.”

Politics

PDP Reprimands Members Backing Tinubu, Threatens Sanctions

Published

3 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has issued a stern warning to members endorsing President Bola Tinubu for re-election, describing such actions as anti-party activities.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday, the party said it had reviewed what it described as “persistent public media outbursts” by some members who have openly declared support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The statement read, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has reviewed the anti-party activities of certain members of the Party, particularly those endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

“Of serious concern is the persistent public media outbursts against our Party by some prominent members whose actions and utterances including their public declaration of support and willingness to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Presidential election in violation of the provision of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) constitute a serious threat to the stability and sustenance of our Party.”

The PDP noted that such actions violate Section 10(6) of its constitution, which prohibits members from aligning with other parties or groups to undermine the PDP or its elected officials.

“Specifically, Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution provides that “NO MEMBER of the Party SHALL align with other Parties or groups to undermine the Party or any of its elected government”.

“Such anti-party activities have continued to impact negatively on the PDP leading to division, disaffection and heavy hemorrhaging of members with the capacity to diminish our Party’s electoral fortune if not immediately checked,” the statement noted.

Citing Section 59(1) of its constitution, the NWC issued a strong reprimand to the members involved, warning that failure to retrace their steps would attract stiffer sanctions.

The party urged all members to remain loyal and focused as it prepares for its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Politics

By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia

Published

5 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has assured the people of Ovia Federal Constituency of continual infrastructural development as part of effort to improve the economic well-being of the people.

Idahosa, however, urged the people of support ahead of the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

The state’s deputy governor, gave the assurance during the party’s campaign at Oduna and Oghede Wards for the by-election.

Idahosa urged the people to keep faith with the APC, as the party never failed in its campaign promises in the state.

According to him, “unlike the other parties, especially the PDP, we have never failed to keep to our electoral promises in Edo state.

“Experience has taught you not to rely on the PDP that failed you for the past eight years in the areas of roads and Gele-gele Sea Port.

“We have always been different and be rest assured that this time, we don’t intend to deviate from the norm which we are known for; delivery of democratic dividends in Edo state.

“As a matter of fact, you all can attest to the fact that our people oriented governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has started making the difference around you here just within six months in office.”

The deputy governor appealed to the people for support to enable the governor continue with the execution of more projects in the areas.

Speaking on Omosede Igbinedion choice as APC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Idahosa said,
“the APC is a party that wants the best for the people.”

High point of the campaign was Igbinedion granting of scholarship to two girls that showed bravery by opening canvassing support for her.

Politics

Use Edo By-election As Template For APC’s Victory In 2027, Idahosa Urges Residents

Published

1 day ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State Hon Dennis Idahosa, has urged the people to show their readiness to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 general elections by using the House of Representatives bye-election scheduled for August 16 as a template.

Idahosa hinged his call on the fact that Governor Monday Okpebholo had shown his readiness for governance within a year in office and deserved to be supported by the people.

The deputy governor stated this when the APC campaign team birthed at Uhiere, Okokhuo, and Isiuwa, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election is for the people to show “capacity” and nothing more.

“The Executive Governor of our dear state, and my Principal, Monday Okpebholo, by the grace of God, through your support, has promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.5 million votes.

“The efficacy of that promise starts on August 16 with the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election.

“This is not a normal election, it is an election to show capacity. The results you give to Omosede unlocks the key to accessing the dividends of democracy.

“The margin of winning is important. This is why we are all here to convince you to ensure that we get at least 70 percent votes from the registered voters in this area,” he stated.

The deputy governor who led the APC team for the campaign said the party’s candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, had the capacity to entrench the dividends of democracy to the area.

At Isiuwa, NIFOR Community, Idahosa praised the people for making the area an APC stronghold.

He said he was not there for the campaign but to introduce their daughter to them and asked them for their support to the party’s candidate for the bye-election.

Similarly, Idahosa also appealed to the people of Okokhuo community for support.

Omosede who was full of praises in visited wards, said “this is the first time, in a long while, since 2015, I am here with a broom, a symbol of development and advancement.

“You know, the umbrella is tattered and scattered, and you know the PDP has fallen. I am grateful to you all who took the time to be here.”

She told the people to hold her accountable for every campaign promise she made.