… Leadership crisis deepens after 3 June 2026 ruling

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is mired in fresh leadership controversy after the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on Tuesday, 3rd June 2026, dismissing the party’s appeal against a 2024 High Court ruling that nullified the dissolution of the Austin Agada-led Executive Committee.

In a statement, APC Legal Adviser Matthew Alyebo said the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of Justice T.A. Kume of the Benue State High Court, who on 21st August 2024 declared the dissolution of the Agada Exco before its four-year tenure expired as unlawful.

According to Alyebo, the appellate court dismissed the APC’s case, Appeal No. CA/MKD/119/2024, “for lacking in merit” and resolved all five issues for determination against the appellant.

The court also affirmed the High Court’s consequential order that “all activities carried out by the Omale-led Caretaker Committee are null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” Alyebo stated. He added that off-record remarks by the court advised the APC’s counsel, S.D. Swem Esq, to “advise his client to obey Court orders no matter how stupid they may be.” Alyebo dismissed reports that Benjamin Omale withdrew any appeal, noting that Omale, the 10th Respondent, filed no process.

Contradicting the legal adviser’s account, the Omale-led APC State Executive Committee issued a statement Thursday, 4th June 2026, insisting it remains the legitimate leadership of the party in Benue.

State Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, described reports of the Agada Exco’s reinstatement as “false, mischievous, and calculated to mislead members and the general public.”

He argued that the tenure of the former Agada-led committee had long expired and that leadership was determined by constitutional party processes.

Yawe said the APC conducted its State Congress in February 2026, electing Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale and other officials. The outcome, he added, was ratified and recognized by the party’s national organs and confirmed at the APC National Convention in Abuja in March 2026.

“Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale remains the duly elected and recognised Chairman of the APC in Benue State, while members of the current State Executive Committee remain the only legitimate officials constitutionally empowered to administer the affairs of the party,” Yawe said.

He dismissed the latest reports as “desperate attempts by political actors seeking relevance through confusion and sensationalism,” and urged members to rely only on official party communications.

The dispute dates to August 2024 when Justice Kume nullified the APC National Working Committee’s dissolution of the Agada Exco, following an earlier interim injunction by Justice Igoche restraining the NWC. The APC appealed the judgment, but Alyebo said the Court of Appeal has now dismissed that appeal.

Alyebo said the Certified True Copy of the judgment will soon be released “to put all interpretations and fabrications to a definite end.”

With both factions claiming legitimacy, the APC in Benue faces renewed internal tension as the court ruling and the party’s 2026 congress produce competing claims to leadership.

The National Democratic Party on Monday announced Ada Fredrick as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The NDP National Publicity Secretary, Dr Emeka Wachuku, at a news conference in Abuja, expressed confidence that the party and its candidate have the capacity to secure a major victory at the polls.

Wachuku said that Fredrick emerged as the party’s standard-bearer through a consensus affirmation during the primaries held across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

He described the candidate as a “young and tenacious grassroots politician” who had demonstrated strong leadership capacity and consistent dedication to the cause of national renewal.

Wachuku said that the presidential candidate had initially founded the ‘Ward2Ward’, grassroots support group, before founding the NDP in 2026 to serve the country more effectively.

He noted that at the party’s first National Executive Council (NEC) congress, Fredrick had also emerged as its first National Chairman, alongside members of the National Working Committee (NWC), in an exercise observed by INEC officials.

“NDP is a progressive political family that recognises the inherent value of the female gender and the energy of the youth,” he said.

The publicity secretary added that Fredrick’s candidacy embodied the party’s core mission of giving Nigerians hope, upholding a bright future for the nation and putting Nigeria first.

Outlining the party’s vision for national renewal, Wachuku highlighted key target areas, including provision of basic infrastructure to support job creation as well as a deliberate economic shift toward inward processing of Nigeria’s natural resources.

“NDP believes that Nigeria’s renewal must reflect the urgent and expected desires of Nigerians.

“This includes basic infrastructure that supports economic growth and jobs; accessible, affordable healthcare for all Nigerians; quality education and investments that strengthen human capital, welfare and social support for the elderly and retirees.

“We also have a deliberate plan for harnessing Nigeria’s natural resources inwardly, transforming them into value-added production and positioning Nigeria as an exporter of finished goods, not only raw materials,” he said.

On governance, Wachuku pledged that the party would run an inclusive administration that accommodates women and youths in decision-making, while prioritising the elimination of waste and leakages across government sectors.

He also expressed NDP’s commitment to safeguarding true federalism by ensuring fairness and accountability across federal, state and local governments.

In the 2027 elections, Wachuku expressed confidence in the party’s grassroots structure, declaring a strict electoral target.

“NDP commits to working vigorously to secure at least 25 per cent of the votes in at least two-thirds of the states of Nigeria, driven by credibility, discipline and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.

In her acceptance speech, Fredrick described her emergence as a huge responsibility, noting that the nation urgently required the empathetic leadership that women could provide.

“This responsibility is huge, but with God on our side, we will do our best. Nigeria has come a long way; a lot is happening, and we need women.

“At this point in our lives, we need great women who can speak out passionately and be heard. We will do our best to make sure we give Nigerians the light of hope and fulfil all the promises in our manifesto,” Fredrick said.

She further stated that the party would soon unveil its full manifesto to the public, which would clearly demonstrate why the NDP remained the best political option for the country.

“I will not fail you, I will not fail my country. I will do my best as a woman, a mother and a sister.

“We are calling on Nigerian women and the youth to join hands with us to make Nigeria a better place for all of us,” she said.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, the 2027 NDP candidate for House of Representatives, Abuja South, David Oroge, described Fredrick as a grassroots woman with the capacity to mobilise votes and win the election.

“I believe very strongly in her, and we’ve worked with her for a while, and I see her grassroots skills, especially the kind of soldiers that she marshals for the job. So I believe in her worth,” Oroge said.

He advised Nigerian youths to support the presidential candidate, whom he described as “a woman with pure hands and a pure heart, not to rule, but to lead.”

NAN

By Isa Abdul, Abuja

The Benue State Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN has embarked on a statewide tour, consulting and assuring Benue communities, professional bodies, cultural groups and political stakeholders about the socio- economic fortunes awaiting them, once he is voted as governor in 2027.

The consultations tagged by followers as “Prof. Hon’s Vision for the Food Basket” have provided a veritable platform for robust interface between the governorship hopeful and citizens of Benue State.

From Makurdi to Otukpo,, Gboko to Ugba and Adikpo, the senior lawyer has met with farmers, traders, academics, traditional rulers, youth groups and political actors, listening more than he speaks.

From the intersections, there is no doubt
Security remains at the top of the agenda in every conversation.

Communities displaced by conflict have repeatedly urged Prof. Hon to initiate the process of returning them to their ancestral homes.

The governorship hopeful has pledged to prioritize security and social order, stressing that no development plan can succeed without peace.

Agriculture, Benue State’s s natural strength is central to his blueprint.

Prof. Hon has promised an off-take scheme in which government will purchase produce at harvest when prices are low, store and release them into the market at reasonable prices during periods of scarcity.

He argues that the arrangement will protect farmers from exploitation and shield urban consumers from price shocks, ensuring both producer and consumer benefit.

To boost productivity, he is proposing early delivery of farming inputs at subsidized prices.

Fertilizer, herbicides and improved seeds, he notes must reach farmers before planting season, not months after.

He also wants to revive storage infrastructure, including silos and warehouses to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilize prices.

Beyond farming, Prof. Hon’s consultations have highlighted the need for rural transformation, job creation and educational reform.

He maintains that development must move beyond Makurdi and reach the villages, where the majority of Benue people live.

Employment, he says, will be driven by agriculture, agro-processing and investment in skills training for young people.

The SDP candidate has also waded into governance issues. He spoke against the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the state and pledged to enforce local government autonomy as provided by law, arguing that grassroots development depends on giving councils the resources and freedom to function.

Unity, he told audiences must be both a goal and a strategy, describing his vision as “unity of purpose and full development” for all Benue people, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

Prof. Hon’s background as a philanthropist and senior advocate has shaped the tone of the consultations.

Many of those he has met describe him as accessible, generous and selfless, with a clear passion for Benue’s progress.

Participants at several of the meetings have expressed admiration for his genuine concern for ordinary citizens and his willingness to engage directly with grassroots communities.

As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election, there is growing anticipation among his supporters.

Many say they are ready to work assiduously for the success of the legal luminary, convinced that his experience, intellect and connection with the people position him to lead Benue State out of poverty and insecurity.

For Prof. Hon, the message from his consultations is clear: Benue State’s future lies in security, productive agriculture, functional education, rural transformation and a united people.

How these messages, engagements and goodwill can translate into votes in 2027 is what political watchers are waiting to see.

For now, the Food Basket tour continues and with it, Benue State’s conversation about the kind of leadership it wants next.