BY JULIET EKWENUGO, Kaduna
Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of the APC Solidarity Group, have petitioned the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), seeking sanctions against former Benue State chairman, Austin Agada, over alleged anti-party activities.
In the petition dated October 2, 2026, the group accused Agada of publicly opposing APC candidates and endorsing candidates of other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The petition, signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, was submitted through the office of the APC National Chairman.
The group specifically accused Agada of endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, for the 2027 senatorial election.
It also alleged that Agada stated during an interview on TVC’s Politics Tonight on September 28, 2026, that he would not campaign for the APC governorship candidate in Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 election.
According to the petition, Agada’s alleged position raises questions about his loyalty to the party and compliance with its constitution.
The group further alleged that Agada was involved in the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, which it described as the “Rainbow Coalition” in Benue State, involving members of the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP) and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
It claimed that activities of the coalition were being conducted in a manner that opposed or undermined the APC’s recognised structures and its candidates for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly in the state.
The group, however, said supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 was consistent with the APC’s national interest, but argued that such support should not be used as a basis to campaign against other APC candidates.
It urged the NWC to examine the relevant provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether Agada’s alleged activities amounted to anti-party conduct punishable under the party’s constitution.
Specifically, the group requested that the NWC constitute an investigative committee to examine the allegations and invite Agada to appear before it.
It further asked the party to constitute a disciplinary committee if the allegations were established and publicise any disciplinary measures imposed as a deterrent to other members.
The petitioners said their action was borne out of loyalty to the party and commitment to party supremacy, discipline, unity and the collective interest of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They said the matter required the attention of the national leadership because Agada, as a former APC chairman in Benue State, was expected to understand the party’s constitution, structures and obligations.
The group said the APC could not afford a situation where senior members openly campaigned for candidates of other political parties in areas where the APC had validly nominated candidates.
It therefore urged the NWC to investigate the allegations and, where they were proven, apply the appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The group maintained that no member, regardless of previous position or present appointment, should be above the constitution of the APC.
