As part of effort to restore peace to the Benue state Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has issued a seven-day ultimatum to members to withdraw cases instituted in the court.
The National Secretary of the party, Sen. Ajibola Basiru in a statement issued Thursday warned that failure to comply with the resolution would result in disciplinary action being taken against any member responsible for such suits.
The resolution of the party was taken at the 146th meeting of the NWC to resolve the crisis in the Benue state chapter of the party.
Basiru said: “At its 146th Meeting held on March 20th, 2024, the National Working Committee of our great Party deliberated and resolved as follows:
“That all ongoing cases filed in the name of the party or associated with matters concerning the party and involving party members must be discontinued and withdrawn from the courts within the next 7 days.
“That failure to comply with this resolution will result in disciplinary action being taken against any member responsible for such suits, including immediate suspension and ultimately expulsion from the Party.
“That it is crucial that all members of the APC Benue State Chapter adhere to this directive promptly. The unity and integrity of our party must be upheld, and resolving legal matters internally is paramount to maintaining the cohesion and focus of the APC.”
Recall that the crisis rocking the Benue APC has assumed another dimension recently as the party opened a factional secretariat on Thursday.
The state governor, Fr Hyacinth Alia, his cabinet and supporters are pitted against the state Chairman, Austin Agada.
The Agada-led state working committee is loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Checks revealed that Agada was purportedly removed as the party chairman by his Ehaje council ward and subsequently restrained from parading himself as party chairman.
Following the court injunctions, the State Executive Committee of the party led by the governor thereafter appointed Benjamin Omakolo as the acting party chairman.
However, Omakolo was later sacked by the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpampese, after vacating the order restraining Agada.
While the party secretariat located at J.S. Tarka Road is being occupied by the Agada-led state working committee, the factional office opened recently by Omakolo-led team located close to the government house, Makurdi.