2027: APC mulls suspension of Ex- Benue chairman, Agada over alleged anti-party activities - The Guardian Nigeria News
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is considering the suspension of its former chairman in Benue State, Comrade Austin Agada, over alleged anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development followed a petition by the APC Solidarity Group to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), accusing Agada of publicly opposing APC candidates and supporting candidates of opposition parties in Benue State.
The group alleged that Agada endorsed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Abba Moro during the party’s campaign flag-off and re-election declaration in Benue South Senatorial District, despite the APC having its own candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
It further alleged that Agada displayed banners bearing the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC and Moro of the PDP during the event.
The petitioners also cited an alleged statement by Agada during a TVC Politics Tonight interview on September 28, 2026, in which he reportedly said he had no reason to campaign for the APC governorship candidate in Benue State and would not support the re-election bid of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The group described the alleged position as contrary to the principles of party loyalty and discipline, arguing that members who disagree with party decisions should seek redress through recognised party organs rather than publicly oppose its candidates.
The petitioners also raised concerns over Agada’s alleged involvement with a political platform known as the “Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027,” otherwise referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition.”
According to the group, the coalition involves members of other political parties, including the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and has allegedly operated in a manner that undermines the APC’s recognised structures and candidates in Benue.
The group, however, acknowledged that support for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election was consistent with the APC’s national interest, but maintained that such support should not extend to campaigning against other candidates nominated by the party.
It urged the NWC to determine whether Agada’s alleged activities amounted to anti-party conduct punishable under Article 21 of the APC Constitution. The petitioners said the matter was particularly serious because Agada was a former state chairman of the APC and, therefore, was expected to be familiar with the party’s constitution, structures and obligations.
They warned that open opposition to APC candidates by senior party members could undermine the party’s unity and electoral prospects in Benue ahead of the 2027 elections. The group consequently demanded the constitution of an investigative committee to examine the allegations and invite Agada to appear before it.
It also called for a disciplinary committee to be constituted if the allegations were established and urged the NWC to publicise any sanctions imposed as a deterrent to other members contemplating similar actions.
The petition, signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Saidu Muhammad, said members, particularly those from Benue State, had repeatedly expressed concern over Agada’s alleged endorsement of candidates of other parties where the APC had validly nominated its own candidates.
The group maintained that the APC was bigger than any individual or group, stressing that its strength depended on discipline, loyalty, internal democracy, party supremacy and respect for decisions of recognised party organs.
It said video clips and other publications had been attached to the petition as evidence and urged the NWC to investigate the allegations and apply appropriate disciplinary measures if they were proven.
