Alia, Akume’s APC Factions Clash over Meeting

George Okoh in Makurdi

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed over the holding of the party expanded Congress meeting.

The meeting called by the State Chairman of the party who is said to be loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was truncated by Governor Hycinth Alia.

Armed policemen and some youths loyal to both faction of the party had blocked the passage to the venue, the party Secretariat, where the meeting was scheduled to hold.

Alia did not give approval for the meeting, insisting that he remained the leader of the party in the state and no one else.

There has been a simmering leadership tussle between Alia and Akume.

It was why the governor called off the meeting, warning that there would be consequences if any person or group attempted to disrupt the peace of the state by converging for any unauthorised meeting.

Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,  Sir Tersoo Kula, said the last time he checked, he was still the APC leader in the state. 

“No APC meeting can be summoned without my knowledge. Not just that, as the Chief Security Officer in the state, I should know when a legitimate gathering is supposed to hold  meeting.

“Nigeria is not a lawless state and so is Benue State. Those who think they can undermine the authority of the state must know this and know peace,” Alia said.