The National Youth Council (NYC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to immediately recognize Chief Benjamin Omale as the authentic chairman of the party in Benue State.
The group made the demand in reaction to reports that the SGF allegedly referred to Comrade Austin Agada as the APC chairman in the state. According to the Council, such a position undermines both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC, which had formally endorsed Omale as the party’s leader in Benue.
In a statement released on Monday in Makurdi and signed by its National President, Comrade Abba Yusuf Ali, the Council described Akume’s recognition of Agada as “totally unacceptable,” warning that the move could deepen divisions within the party.
Ali recalled that the State Executive Committee led by Agada was dissolved last year and replaced with a seven-man Unity Caretaker Committee headed by Chief Omale, a development ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC). He further noted that Omale had since attended two NEC meetings and was formally inducted into the association of APC State Chairmen by former national chairman, Alhaji Umar Ganduje.
“For Akume to be calling another man the state chairman of the party in Benue state is totally unacceptable. The SGF is undermining the power of Mr. President and the NEC of the APC by doing so,” Ali said.
The Council also pointed out that Omale’s leadership had been validated by both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court following local government elections, which affirmed his authority to nominate candidates.
Ali warned that if Senator Akume continues to disregard the Omale-led structure, the crisis could drive loyal party members into the opposition and potentially cost President Tinubu a victory in Benue State in 2027.
He added that Governor Hyacinth Alia had already demonstrated commitment to peace by visiting Akume in line with presidential directives, but accused the SGF of failing to reciprocate.
“It’s now time for the SGF to recognize Father Hyacinth Alia as the leader of the APC in Benue state and Chief Benjamin Omale as the authentic state chairman,” Ali stressed.
