…Says No Victor, No Vanquished

The All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 Senatorial Candidate for Benue South, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) for providing a decisive resolution to the protracted leadership crisis that had plagued the Benue State chapter of the party.

In a statement issued today, Onjeh recalled that the leadership turmoil in the Benue APC stemmed from his petition to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on 22nd January, 2024, in which he accused the former State Chairman, Mr. Augustine Agada, of engaging in anti-party activities. He stated that Agada’s actions significantly sabotaged his chances of winning the 2023 Benue South senatorial election, particularly by replacing his duly accredited polling unit agents with unknown individuals on the eve of the polls.

“In my petition, I further alleged that Comrade Agada diverted substantial financial resources meant for the APC to finance the election of my opponent in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Abba Moro, who currently serves as the Senate Minority Leader,” Onjeh stated.

Following the submission of his petition, Onjeh noted that he copied the executives of Agada’s Council Ward—APC Ehaje Ward 1 in Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA. Upon reviewing the petition and finding merit in the allegations, the Ward executives swiftly passed a Vote of No Confidence against Agada and subsequently suspended him, in accordance with the APC Constitution, pending the final determination of the case by the NWC.

To ensure continuity in party leadership, the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, in his commitment to upholding justice, the rule of law, and the APC Constitution, prudently approved the appointment of Hon. Benjamin Omakolo by the State Working Committee of the party on 8th February 2024, as the Acting Chairman of the state chapter of the party.

The former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, Onjeh stated that this leadership crisis eventually divided the Benue APC into two factions—one loyal to Governor Alia and the other aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Dr. George Akume, believed to be Agada’s key political benefactor.

In a bid to restore stability, the Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje-led APC National Working Committee (NWC) intervened in August 2024, by dissolving the entire Benue State Executive Committee (SEC) and appointing a seven-member Unity Caretaker Committee with Chief (Dr.) Benjamin Omale as Chairman and Prof. Ben Angwe as Secretary. However, despite the NWC’s intervention, claims and counterclaims over the APC chairmanship in Benue persisted, as Agada challenged his removal in court.

The legal battle dragged on until the APC National Executive Committee (NEC)—the highest decision-making organ of the party—stepped in on 26th February 2025, ratifying and reaffirming the NWC’s resolution to dissolve the Agada-led SEC and formally recognizing the Chief Omale-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate leadership of the Benue APC.

“With this definitive action by the NEC and Chief Omale’s formal induction into the Forum of APC State Chairmen, the leadership crisis in Benue APC has finally been put to rest. There is now no ambiguity about who the legitimate State Chairman is, and the party can refocus on unity and future electoral victories,” Onjeh stated.

Onjeh thanked President Tinubu and the NEC for delivering justice and commended Governor Alia for his principled stance throughout the crisis. He noted that after Agada’s suspension by his Ward executives, the Governor, as Leader of the APC in Benue State, acted in good faith by de-recognizing Agada and approving the appointment of an Acting Chairman by the Benue SWC.

“Governor Alia’s decision to uphold justice, fairness, and due process in response to my petition was the foundation upon which this crisis erupted. I deeply regret that my pursuit of justice placed the Governor in a difficult situation, but I am grateful that he understood my position. Though delayed, justice has finally been served,” Onjeh remarked.

Finally, Onjeh called on all factions within the Benue APC to bury the hatchet and unite in the interest of the party and democracy. He described the resolution as a “no victor, no vanquished” situation, urging all stakeholders to accept the verdict of the NEC and rally behind Chief Omale to ensure the party’s growth and strength in Benue State.