Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress under the aegis of the APC Solidarity Group have petitioned the party’s National Working Committee over alleged anti-party activities by a former Benue State Chairman, Austin Agada.
The group, in a petition dated October 2, 2026, and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, accused Agada of endorsing candidates of opposition parties in Benue despite the APC having its own candidates for the 2027 elections.
The petition, addressed to the NWC through the office of the National Chairman, was titled, “Petition against anti-party activities, public opposition to the APC governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue South Senatorial District, Zone C of Benue State: A conduct prejudicial to the interest of the APC at large.”
The petitioners specifically asked the NWC to set up an investigative panel, invite Agada to defend himself against the allegations and, if found culpable, refer him to a disciplinary committee and make the outcome public as a deterrent to other party members.
According to the group, Agada, who it described as a leader of a faction of the APC associated with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, allegedly endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party’s Senator Abba Moro for the 2027 senatorial election.
The group also alleged that Agada publicly displayed banners bearing the images of President Bola Tinubu of the APC and Moro of the PDP, describing the development as a contradiction of the APC’s campaign structure in the state.
The petitioners further cited an interview Agada reportedly granted TVC’s Politics Tonight on September 28, 2026, alleging that he declared that he would not campaign for the APC governorship candidate, Governor Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 election.
They argued that such a position was inconsistent with the stance of APC governors and the party’s structures across the country, insisting that senior party members were expected to respect the decisions of recognised party organs.
The group also raised concerns over Agada’s alleged involvement in the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, which it described as the “Rainbow Coalition” in Benue, alleging that the platform brings together members of the APC and opposition parties, including the PDP, SDP, LP and NDC.
While acknowledging that supporting President Tinubu’s re-election was consistent with the APC’s national interest, the petitioners argued that such support should not be used to undermine other APC candidates contesting elections in the state.
They urged the NWC to examine the relevant provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether the allegations against Agada amounted to anti-party conduct warranting disciplinary action.
The group said its petition was motivated by its commitment to party supremacy, discipline and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the APC could not afford a situation where influential members openly backed rival candidates.
It added that Agada’s previous position as state chairman made the allegations more serious because, according to the petitioners, he was familiar with the party’s constitution, structures and disciplinary procedures.
The petitioners said, “The APC is bigger than any individual, group or political interest. Its strength depends upon discipline, loyalty, internal democracy, party supremacy and respect for the decisions of its recognised organs.”
They therefore called on the NWC to investigate the allegations and impose appropriate sanctions if the former chairman was found guilty, insisting that no member, regardless of past position or current status, should be considered above the party’s constitution.
