Alia appoints Benjamin Omakolo as acting chair of Benue APC

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, has appointed Benjamin Omakolo as acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

In a statement on Thursday by Tersoo Kula, his chief press secretary, Alia said filling the vacant position was necessary to save the party from crisis.

Omakolo, the welfare secretary, was made acting chairman after the suspension of Austin Agada.

The Ehaje Ward 1 in the Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA suspended Agada after passing a vote of no confidence on him.

The governor said he has been under pressure to fill the position, adding that the party cannot be left in the “hands of a few individuals to destroy it for their selfish interest”.

“Regretting the suspension of comrade Austin Agada by his Ehaje ward 1 EXCO, which was later followed by a court injunction, restraining him from parading as the state chairman of the party, the governor said he had faced so much pressure from the stakeholders of the party in Zone C, who have recommended a replacement for the vacant position in order to keep the party going,” the statement reads.

“And in order to reduce the pressure on him and to also stop the party from facing further troubles, the governor explained that he has been left with no choice than to direct Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, the welfare secretary of the party in the state, to step in as the acting party chairman, pending the outcome of the court case instituted against Hon Agada.

“He described the APC as the best party anyone could associate with, insisting that a lot of efforts and sacrifices were put in by many, which ensured the victory the party currently enjoys in the state, saying the party cannot be left in the hands of a few individuals for them to destroy because of their selfish interest.

“While thanking the stakeholders of the party from Zone C for recommending a capable replacement for the vacant position of the state chairman, the governor equally called on all the APC faithful in the state to support Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, as he assumes the duty of piloting the affairs of the APC in the state.”

He called on the people to continue to support the APC, adding that it is the only party with plans to change the fortunes of the state.