By Kazeem Waris
A group of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has petitioned the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), demanding disciplinary action against a former state chairman, Austin Agada, over his alleged involvement in the Nyesom Wike-backed Rainbow Coalition and alleged support for candidates of opposition parties.
The petition, signed by the National Organising Secretary of the APC Solidarity Group, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, was submitted through the office of the party’s National Chairman.
The group accused Agada of conduct allegedly capable of undermining the APC’s candidates in Benue, including the incumbent governor and 2027 governorship candidate, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and other candidates contesting legislative seats in the state.
An acknowledgement copy of the petition, dated October 2, 2026, is 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 asked the NWC to constitute an investigative committee to examine the allegations and invite Agada to appear before it.
They further requested that a disciplinary committee be constituted if the allegations are established and that any sanction imposed on the former chairman be made public “to serve as deterrent to others.”
Alleged Support for PDP Candidate
The group alleged that Agada, whom it described as the leader of a prominent APC faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had openly endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Abba Moro, in the 2027 senatorial election.
The petitioners further alleged that Agada produced campaign banners bearing the images of President Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, and Moro.
They also cited an interview Agada reportedly granted on TVC’s Politics Tonight programme on September 28, 2026, in which, according to the petition, he said he had no reason to campaign for Alia’s re-election.
“Agada also granted an interview on TVC Politics Tonight, which he stated very clearly that he has no reason to campaign for the APC gubernatorial candidate in Benue and, as such, he would not campaign for the re-election of the APC candidate for Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 governorship election,” the petition stated.
The petitioners argued that the position was inconsistent with the stance of APC governors and the party’s state structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
They said the alleged comments raised “serious questions of party loyalty and compliance with the obligations expected of a senior member of the APC” under the party’s constitution.
Rainbow Coalition Allegation
The group also accused Agada of participating in the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, which it described as the “Rainbow Coalition in Benue,” alleging that the group had links with opposition parties, including the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP) and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
The petitioners said their concern was not Agada’s reported support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid but what they described as activities capable of undermining APC candidates and structures at the state level.
“We firmly acknowledge that supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential re-election is consistent with APC’s national interest. However, support for the President should not be used as a basis for campaigning against other candidates of the APC where the party has established candidates and recognised campaign structures,” they stated.
They added: “The central issue before the party is therefore not whether Austin Agada supports President Tinubu, but whether his activities amount to conduct that undermines the APC, its candidates, its structures or its electoral interests in Benue State or violate the relevant section of the APC Constitution.”
NWC Asked to Invoke Constitution
The petitioners urged the NWC to examine Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether the allegations against Agada amount to anti-party conduct punishable under the party’s rules.
They said the petition was motivated by “loyalty and commitment to party supremacy, discipline, unity and the collective interest of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
The group also called for immediate action if the allegations are established.
“We therefore submit that the allegations against Austin Agada, as established with clear evidence as attached, appropriate sanctions provided under the Constitution should be applied immediately to serve as deterrent to others who are planning to engage in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the petition stated.
The petitioners argued that Agada’s previous position as APC chairman in Benue made the allegations particularly serious, as he was expected to understand the party’s constitution, structures and obligations.
“His previous leadership position makes his public opposition to the party’s Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates a matter requiring the attention of the national leadership,” they stated.
The group warned that the APC in Benue could not afford a situation in which senior members openly campaign for opposition candidates while the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
It said recent debates over divisions within the Benue APC had further underscored the need for greater cohesion and discipline within the party.
The petitioners therefore urged the NWC to act within the provisions of the party constitution, arguing that indiscipline should not be allowed to become the norm.
“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 stated.
They asked the NWC to investigate the allegations and, if proven, impose appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“This, in our considered view, will reinforce the principle that no member, irrespective of his previous position or present appointment, is above the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, APC,” the group declared.
