Crisis mars APC Congress in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Crisis has continued to engulf the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue state following the conduct of local government congress in the party.

This is just as the State congress scheduled for yesterday (Monday) was put off.

It was gathered that the congress was marred by allegations of diversion of materials by some top party stalwarts.

There were claims that electoral materials for the congress in Ushongo local government area were diverted by persons said to be loyal to the Senate Minority Leader who took materials to Ushongo hills and manipulated them.

In Otukpo, there were also allegations of sharp disagreement by two (2) camps loyal to Akume. While former member of the House of Representative member, Nelson Alapa and Abba Yaro are on one side, erstwhile deputy governor Ralph Igbago and Dickson Akor who allegedly wrote a petition alleging that electoral materials were diverted to unknown places, were at the opposing side.

Two parallel congresses were held for Buruku local government. One was held in Makurdi while another was conducted by INEC in the local government where the House of Representative member, Hon. Orker Jev holds sway. The former was said to be duly recognized.

Commenting on the postponement of the State Congress in a text message, APC State Publicity Secreyary, Philip Anza, explained that the congress which has been rescheduled for Wednesday 30th April, 2014 is to allow for wider consultations by stakeholders on pending issues arising from the recently conducted local government congresses.