The All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government Chairmen in Benue State have made serious allegations against Governor Hyacinth Alia. They claim that the governor has deliberately refused to work together with the party’s leadership and members in the state.
In a communique issued after their meeting on Friday, the forum outlined instances of strained relations between Governor Alia and the party. They mentioned that the governor was inaccessible and unresponsive to phone calls. Additionally, they accused him of excluding party leadership from important government appointments.
The forum expressed dissatisfaction with the recent constitution of local government caretaker committees. They alleged that the governor unilaterally created a list that included individuals from opposition parties who did not support the APC’s victory.
The forum expressed satisfaction with the national APC leadership, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They recognized them as the leaders of the party in Benue State and the North-Central Geopolitical Zone.
However, the forum distanced itself from Governor Alia’s decision to sideline the party’s leadership in policy-making. They criticized his unilateral handling of state affairs without consulting the party, emphasizing the importance of respecting the structures and leadership of political parties in a democratic system.
Concerned about the governor’s actions, which they perceive as anti-party activities and ingratitude, the forum resolved to disassociate itself from state and local government functions until the issues raised are addressed. They also decided to stage peaceful protests at various offices, including the APC State Secretariat, Benue State House of Assembly Complex, Government House in Makurdi, APC National Secretariat in Abuja, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.