The Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has announced a list of 299 candidates for the October 5, local government elections.
This list includes 23 chairmanship and 276 councillorship candidates and comes amid ongoing internal strife within the party.
The release of this second list follows a conflict between the ousted Austin Agada-led State Working Committee (SWC) and the newly appointed Caretaker Committee headed by Benjamin Omale.
On August 26, Agada’s committee had also announced a list of candidates, further complicating the party’s internal dynamics.
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James Ornguga, the Organising Secretary and spokesperson for the APC Caretaker Committee, who addressed the media in Makurdi at the weekend, asserted that the recent primaries were conducted smoothly. He praised the orderly conduct of the aspirants and reported that the screening process, held from September 1 to 2, 2024, was handled effectively.
Ornguga noted that no violence was reported during the primaries and that any issues raised were resolved by the Barr. Moses Atagher-led Screening Appeal Committee.
Daily Trust reports that the crisis is a result of a broader power struggle within the APC, notably involving Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
This fresh conflict emerged after the APC National Working Committee dissolved the previous executive committee and appointed a caretaker committee.
In response, Agada sought a court injunction to prevent further interference. Justice Theresa Igoche granted the interim injunction, with the case adjourned to September 10, for further proceedings.
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