A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Daniel Onjeh, has said the successful conduct of the party’s state congress has brought an end to years of internal division within the party in the state.

Onjeh, who was the APC’s candidate for Benue South Senatorial District in 2023, stated this in a press statement issued in Makurdi on Monday.

The APC chieftain said the congress, which was concluded by affirmation at the IBB Square Makurdi on March 3, produced Benjamin Omale as the substantive state chairman, alongside other state officers and executives of the party.

According to him, the peaceful and transparent conduct of the exercise reflected the readiness of the party to prepare for future elections.

“The orderly and transparent conduct of the process reflected the maturity expected of a political organisation preparing for future electoral contests,” Onjeh said.

He also congratulated the leader of the party in the state and governor of Benue, Hyacinth Alia, for what he described as calm and steady leadership throughout the congress process.

Onjeh said, “The calm and steady leadership he provided guided the processes of the congresses at all stages to a successful and peaceful conclusion at the state level.”

The former chairman of the governing board of the Project Development Institute (PRODA) also commended the various committees constituted by the party’s national leadership, saying their diligence ensured that the exercise was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

He urged party members across the state to close ranks following the emergence of what he described as a legitimate party structure.

“With the successful conclusion of the congress and the emergence of a legitimate structure, it is time for members of the party across the state to close ranks, deepen unity and strengthen cohesion within the APC,” he said.

Onjeh dismissed claims circulating in some quarters about the emergence of a parallel state executive, describing such reports as misleading.

According to him, “There could not have been a parallel state executive because there was no parallel congress in the first place.”

He stressed that the authority to conduct the Benue APC congress was derived from the lawful structures of the party, as approved by the APC National Working Committee.

He further said the party’s guidelines clearly provide internal mechanisms for resolving grievances arising from the congress and screening processes, adding that no petitions were filed during the screening appeal stage.

“The absence of petitions or appeals at that stage clearly indicated that the screening process was accepted by all concerned,” he stated.

Onjeh warned that the congress process could not be suspended indefinitely for individuals who failed to follow laid down procedures.

He said legitimacy, within the party, is not derived from public claims or media appearances.

“Legitimacy is not conferred by newspaper headlines or media appearances. Legitimacy is derived through law, procedure and due process,” he said.

He urged party members and the public to disregard reports of a parallel structure and focus on strengthening unity within the Benue APC.

Vanguard News