The ongoing crisis within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated on Monday after the dissolved Austin Agada-led faction announced the nomination of 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates for the upcoming October 5th local government elections.

These nominations were made during primaries held on Saturday across all wards in the state's 23 local government areas.

The development comes amid internal strife following the dissolution of the Agada-led executive by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a decision that has sparked legal battles and defiance, News360 Nigeria reports.

The dissolved executive members, led by Austin Agada, have taken legal action against Ganduje and the National Working Committee (NWC), claiming that the dissolution ignored an ex parte order from a Benue High Court, which restrained the NWC from removing the Agada-led State Working Committee before the completion of their four-year tenure.

Justice Theresa Igoche had granted the order, which temporarily halted the removal of Agada and his executives. However, despite this court order, the APC proceeded with the dissolution and set up a seven-member caretaker committee to manage the state's party affairs for six months.

The internal conflict within the Benue APC has seen the Agada-led faction, supported by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, at odds with Governor Hyacinth Alia, who backs the rival Benjamin Omakolo-led faction.

Despite the turmoil, the Agada-led faction has vowed to continue its operations, with the primary elections reportedly conducted through consensus and affirmations.

In the statement, the APC Chairman of Guma Local Government, Lazarus Asema, also described the process as peaceful and lauded the leadership of the APC in the state for effective leadership and proper organisation.

He said, “I am impressed with the process and commended stakeholders in the Local Governments for the successful primary election.

“I also thank the people, particularly party faithful for conducting themselves and the exercise peacefully.”

The primary exercise produced the following chairmanship candidates: Elias Ogbu (Ado), Tarkaa Solomon (Konshisha), Chia Terna (Vandeikya,) Atom Phillip (Kwande), Andrew Ocheme (Ogbadibo), Ogbole Mathew (Obi), Napoleon Otache (Agatu), Elias Ogbu (Ado), Eje Elvis (Apa), Washima Haris (Katsina-Ala), Ajeh Ogah (Ohimini) and Akombo Stephen (Logo).

Others include Terver Agwaza (Ukum), Benjamin Atoza (Gwer), Denise China (Gwer West), Vincent Apera (Guma), James Agudu (Buruku), Tyopaase Benjamin (Ushongo), Mrs Ene Ameh (Okpokwu), Jonathan Shimgbe (Makurdi) and Jackson Udama (Oju).

In Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Simon Aluor, who took part in the primaries said that APC has shown a good example of orderliness and peace.

In Otukpo, the party faithful in the area also trooped out in their numbers and voted in affirmation of their preferred chairmanship aspirant, Oleho Augustine.

Kukutenla:

Remove fire
He goes nowhere
I'm surprised you'll support lawlessness and disobedience of court orders

Where's benuejosh

Dapromzy333:

https://news360ng.com/benue-lg-polls-agada-led-apc-faction-announces-nominees-for-chairmanship-councillorship-seats-full-list/

Dapromzy333:

https://news360ng.com/benue-lg-polls-agada-led-apc-faction-announces-nominees-for-chairmanship-councillorship-seats-full-list/

fergie001:
Agada, you have been removed, take it in good fate.

fergie001:
Agada, you have been removed, take it in good fate.



You must know there is a distinction between the law and morality. Like I said in the past that the Appeal Court will void Beke's leadership as APC Chairman in Rivers State, the same will happen here.

The Supreme Court, thee highest Court in the land has said many times that the leadership and membership of a political party are domestic affairs of a Party and the Court is divested from adjudicating same. The Court has no business in these activities.

What it means is that whatever the Apex leadership of the party says, so be it. Political parties are voluntary organisations so if you don't like it, you leave.

Read this, then you will know whatever Agada is doing, he is playing.
https://www.nairaland.com/8146167/court-did-not-void-edo/2#130824640

Kukutenla:

I believe this dissolution of SWCs is against the rules of the party and the SC clearly said it will intervene when the party breaks its own rules.
It makes no sense for the Court to hide under internal affairs grammar in this matter. The rules of fairness, justice and equity supersede internal affairs I so hold
Moreover, a valid Court order of competent jurisdiction is being disobeyed here

fergie001:
Agada, you have been removed, take it in good fate.



You must know there is a distinction between the law and morality. Like I said in the past that the Appeal Court will void Beke's leadership as APC Chairman in Rivers State, the same will happen here.

The Supreme Court, thee highest Court in the land has said many times that the leadership and membership of a political party are domestic affairs of a Party and the Court is divested from adjudicating same. The Court has no business in these activities.

What it means is that whatever the Apex leadership of the party says, so be it. Political parties are voluntary organisations so if you don't like it, you leave.

Read this, then you will know whatever Agada is doing, he is playing.
https://www.nairaland.com/8146167/court-did-not-void-edo/2#130824640

fergie001:

It is very immoral but I have taken a cursory look at the SC's judgement in PDP v Sylva delivered by Walter Onnoghen JSC as he then was

"Consequently, the Court does not have jurisdiction in the appointment of persons to hold party offices".....


Again in Ufomba v INEC delivered by Clara Ogunbiyi JSC
Thus, no Court has jurisdiction to consider membership and leadership as they are non-justicable being issues that fall within the internal affairs of a political party.

When the SC rules, we follow.

Kukutenla:

But the rule of the party has been violated.
These ones you're referring to has to do with emergence and party congresses. SC has never said a party is at liberty to break its rules.
Even the constitution days democracy must start from the parties