The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has praised the peaceful and orderly conduct of its ward and local government congresses held across the state on Saturday.
Chairman of the Ward and Local Government Congress Committee, Usman Musa, expressed satisfaction with the process while briefing journalists at the party secretariat in Makurdi.
He attributed the success to the cooperation of security agencies, INEC officials, party officials, and the Caretaker Committee.
“We are the ward/LG state committee set up by the National Working Committee, NWC, to come and conduct the congresses.
“However, there is an event that is left for tomorrow, and the appropriate committee will be doing that tomorrow.
“But for us here, we have concluded, and we thank most sincerely the cooperation of security agencies, the independent national electoral commission staff, and party officials statewide,” Musa said.
He also praised Governor Rev. Father Alia for his guidance, “The very day we arrived, he received us, he counseled us, and he advised us on how best we should go about this peacefully; we should do it within the confines of the laws and regulations of our great party, the APC.”
Responding to claims of a parallel congress, Musa stated, “We are the only group sent to conduct congresses for all local government areas in Benue State.
“As far as we are concerned, we are within the mandate… the results are perfectly returned and we have collected the same, so I gladly tell you, this committee is the only genuine committee for Benue State.”
He noted that while the congresses are elective by the APC constitution, provisions for consensus are respected. “Yes, irrespective of your question, these congresses, the ward and local government is elective.
“However… where there is consensus, affirmation confirms consensus,” he explained. Musa added that monitoring visits to Makurdi, Tarka, and Gboko left him satisfied with security arrangements, orderliness, and party unity.
State APC Chairman Benjamin Omale also lauded the committee for its professionalism and integrity, calling the congress “a milestone in the history of Benue politics.”
Meanwhile, the Austin Agada-led faction loyal to SGF Senator George Akume expressed appreciation to party members for the turnout and affirmed the non-elective Local Government Party Executives for another four-year tenure.
In a statement, the faction praised the conduct as “orderly, peaceful, and transparent, reflecting the high level of discipline, unity, and organisational capacity within the party.”
The statement also acknowledged SGF Akume for his leadership and stabilising influence in Benue APC, urging executives to remain “inclusive, transparent, and committed to strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots.”
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