Tension in Makurdi as factional crisis grips APC following court ruling

By Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

Tension rose in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as over 100 youths, suspected to be political thugs, blocked the area near Zenith Bank, opposite the state headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The situation follows a legal development involving the Austin Agada faction of the APC. Agada had taken the matter to court after the party’s National Secretariat formed a seven-member care committee, led by Benjamin Omale. Agada challenged the termination of his election as chairman of the party in the state.

On Thursday, a High Court ruling reinstated Agada as the legitimate chairman of the APC in Benue.

One of the youths at the scene, when asked why members of the public were being prevented from accessing the bank, explained: “We’ve learned that Mr. Austin Agada has been reinstated as chairman and has directed that he is resuming today. We are here to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

In addition to the barricade, heavily armed security personnel were spotted around the area, maintaining a watchful presence.

When contacted for comment, Superintendent Catherine Anene, the Public Relations Officer of the Benue Police Command, stated that she was not aware of the ongoing situation.