APC overturns Benue chairman’s suspension

The National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress on Wednesday set aside the suspension of the chairman of the Benue State chapter, Augustine Agada, saying he remains a bonafide leader of the party in the state.

The development came barely 24 hours after Agada was suspended by the executive members of APC Ehaje Ward 1 in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state after a vote of no confidence was passed on him.

A statement signed by the ward chairman, Godwin Abah, and seven others from the ward accused Agada of engaging in anti-party activities, adding that the embattled chairman snubbed them when he was invited by the excos for questioning.

Following his suspension, Agada vowed not to be intimidated, stating that the purported chairman of the exco who signed the statement had ceased to be a leader since December 10, 2023

He further defended himself, saying the Constitution of the party has procedures to be followed when attempting to discipline erring members.

Relief, however, came his way on Wednesday evening when the ruling party’s NWC revoked his suspension and directed that all matters relating to the matter should be set aside for further review.

This was contained in a statement titled ‘Suspension of Augustine Agada Set Aside – Remains Bonafide Benue State APC Chairman’ and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka.

It read, “The attention of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress has been drawn to media reports of the purported suspension of the party’s Chairman in Benue State, Mr Augustine Agada, by party executives in his Ehaje Ward 1, Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.

“The party has directed that the said suspension and all related actions in the matter be, and are hereby, set aside pending further review and decision of the party’s National Working Committee on the matter.

“Therefore, Mr Augustine Agada remains a bonafide member and the chairman of the Benue State chapter of our party.”