- Benue State APC National Assembly Caucus reaffirms support for Senator George Akume as party leader amid ongoing rift
- Despite reconciliation efforts, party remains divided with separate secretariats; joint spokesman Agbese reiterates Akume’s leadership role and loyalist’s position
The Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly Caucus reaffirmed their support for Senator George Akume as the party’s leader in the state. Philip Agbese, the joint spokesman for the NASS members and federal appointees from Benue, reiterated this stance in a statement released on Monday.
The ongoing rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Akume over control of the state’s APC structure has persisted since the party assumed power in May 2023. Despite attempts to reconcile, including Vice President Kashim Shettima’s intervention, which proved unsuccessful, the party in Benue remains divided into two separate secretariats under different chairmen.
Efforts by Tor Tiv and Professor James Ayatse to mediate the conflict also failed to resolve the conflict, as stakeholders from both factions maintained their positions after the meeting.
In the statement issued on Monday, Agbese affirmed Akume’s continued leadership role in line with the APC’s principles and philosophy. He reiterated that according to the party’s constitution and National Working Committee, Austin Agada, an Akume loyalist, retained his position as state chairman.
“We are steadfast in upholding the party’s core values and adhering to established party norms. The members of the National Assembly caucus command significant respect within our constituencies,” the statement concluded.