By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
A leadership tussle rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has deepened as the party’s National Youth Council throws its weight behind Chief Benjamin Omale, warning the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, against undermining him.
In a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Abba Yusuf Ali, the council said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had dissolved the Austin Agada-led executive last year and installed Omale as caretaker chairman, a decision it insisted remains binding.
The youth body faulted Akume for “consistently promoting a dissolved structure,” saying such actions contradict President Bola Tinubu’s directive to work with Governor Hyacinth Alia, whom Benue people recognise as leader of the party in the state.
The group also pointed out that Omale has been inducted into the national body of APC state chairmen and represented Benue at two NEC meetings presided over by Tinubu, while court rulings had affirmed his authority in nominating candidates during the recent local government elections.
They cautioned that Akume’s stance could weaken the APC in Benue and jeopardise Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, calling on the president, the APC leadership, and security agencies to rein in the SGF.
However, Morgan Ihomun, spokesman of the Agada-led faction, dismissed the youth council’s position, insisting that “Agada remains the bonafide chairman of APC in Benue” as no court has voided his election.
Ihomun argued that Omale is “unknown to the APC in the state.”
