From TERESE TUHWA, Makurdi
Following the internal crisis rocking the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which led to the suspension of the state Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, the state Welfare Secretary of the party, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo has emerged as the Acting Chairman of the party.
The decision was arrived at following the suspension of Comrade Austin Agada by his Ehaje Ward 1 Exco which was later followed by a court injunction restraining him from parading as state chairman of the party
Addressing APC stakeholders from Ogbadibo Local Government Area at the New Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi, Governor Hyacinth Alia called on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to continue rooting for the party. He said it was the only platform that has good plans to change the fortunes of Benue State and Nigeria as a whole.
The governor who requested that the vacant position of the state chairman of the party be filled in order to save it from further crisis, said he had faced intense pressure from stakeholders of the party in Zone C who have recommended a replacement for the vacant position in order to keep the party going.
To reduce the pressure on him and also stop the party from facing further troubles, the governor explained that he has been left with no choice than to direct Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, the Welfare Secretary of the party in the state, to step in as acting party chairman pending the outcome of the court case instituted against Hon Agada.
He described APC as the best party anyone can associate with, insisting that a lot of efforts and sacrifices were put in by many which ensured the victory the party currently enjoys in the state, saying the party cannot be left in the hands of a few individuals for them to destroy it for their selfish interest.
While thanking the stakeholders of the party from Zone C for recommending a capable replacement for the vacant position of the state chairman, the governor equally called on all APC faithful in the state to support Hon. Benjamin Omakolo as he assumes the duty of piloting the affairs of the party in the state.
Earlier in his opening address, the state Organising Secretary of the APC, Hon. James Ornguga said they were pleased to come before the governor to explain to him the turbulent times the party and its supporters were facing as a result of the suspension and the subsisting court order restraining Hon. Agada from acting as chairman of the party in the state.
He urged the governor to use his good office as governor and leader of the party in the state to fill the vacant position of the state chairman in order to stop the party from sinking further adrift.
In their separate remarks, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, APC Secretary in Ogbadibo Local Government, Comrade Abba Isaiah, the APC Chairman in Konshisha Local Government, Hon. Aginde Daniel as well as the Assistant Legal Adviser of the party in the state, Hon. Ajuma Success all commended Zone C APC stakeholders for pressurizing the governor to fill the vacant position of the state chairman.
They also commended the governor for heeding to the cries of the party faithful in the state and for giving the nod for Hon. Omakolo to step in as acting state chairman of the party, assuring that they will all support the acting chairman to succeed.
Accepting the new responsibility, the acting Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, said he was overwhelmed by the trust the party faithful in the state have reposed in him and promised to unite the party for future victories.
