APC chieftains ask national body to investigate ex-Benue chairman

A group of All Progressives Congress chieftains has asked the party’s National Working Committee to investigate former Benue State chairman Austin Agada over alleged anti-party conduct ahead of the 2027 elections. In a petition dated October 2, 2026, and signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, the group accused Agada of endorsing candidates of other parties in areas where the APC has nominated its own candidates. The petition alleged that Agada publicly supported Peoples Democratic Party Senator Abba Moro for the 2027 senatorial election.

It also claimed that he displayed banners carrying the names and images of President Bola Tinubu and Moro, and that he said he would not campaign for the APC’s Benue governorship candidate, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

The group said Agada made the statement during a September 28 interview on TVC PoliticsTonight. It argued that his position conflicted with the stance of APC governors and state party chapters, which it said had backed the party’s candidates. The petition also linked Agada to the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, known in Benue as the Rainbow Coalition.

The group said the alliance involved the PDP, Social Democratic Party, Labour Party and Nigerian Democratic Congress, and alleged that activities associated with it could undermine APC structures and candidates in the state. The petitioners asked the NWC to establish an investigative panel, invite Agada to defend himself and refer the matter to the party’s disciplinary committee if he is found culpable. They also requested that the result and any sanctions be made public.

The group said the central issue was not whether Agada supported Tinubu’s presidential re-election, but whether his activities violated party rules or weakened the APC’s candidates and electoral interests in Benue. It urged the NWC to examine Article 21 of the APC constitution.