By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Angry youths of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue state have taken over the road leading to the secretariat of the Austin Agada led faction of the party in Makurdi the state capital.

The aggrieved youths who are protesting against the continued existence of the factional leadership of the party led by Mr. Agada diverted vehicles and motorbikes  close to the Makurdi Railway Makurdi on the Atiku Abubakar way and on Kasim Ibrahim Road.

They vowed not to allow any member of the faction access to the secretariat insisting that the action of the faction was undermining Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Their action was sequel to a State Executive Committee, SEC, meeting called by the Austine Agada led-faction and slated to hold Thursday at the secretariat.

The youths who maintained decorum were not deterred by the presence of security personnel who mounted guard at the entrance of the deserted secretariat.

Besides, the state government had also commenced repair work on the damaged portion of the road which impeded vehicular movement on one lane of the dual carriage road.

Governor Hyacinth Alia had in a statement Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula denied knowledge of the APC SEC meeting and cautioned those calling for the meeting without his knowledge as the leader of the party in the state.

While calling off the said meeting, the Governor said “the last time I checked, I am still the APC leader in the state. No APC meeting can be summoned without my knowledge.

“Not just that, as the Chief Security Officer in the state, I should know when a legitimate gathering is supposed to hold.

“Nigeria is not a lawless state and so is Benue state. Those who think they can undermine the authority of the state must know this and know peace.”