Rainbow Coalition: Benue APC leaders kick, demand sanctions, back Alia, others - Vanguard News

ABUJA: Some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC have petitioned the party’s National Working Committee NWC, demanding sanctions against a former Benue State Chairman, Mr Austin Agada, over his alleged role in the Nyesom Wike-backed Rainbow Coalition and his open support for candidates of other parties in the state.

The petition, signed by the National Organising Secretary of the APC Solidarity Group, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, was submitted through the National Chairman’s office.

The group said the party’s candidates in Benue, including the governorship candidate, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, must not be undermined by a senior member.

An acknowledgement copy of the petition, dated October 2, 2026, is titled “Petition against anti-party activities, public opposition to the APC governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue South Senatorial district, Zone C of Benue state: A conduct prejudicial to the interest of the APC at large.”

The group asked the NWC to constitute an investigative committee and invite Agada to appear before it. It also wants a disciplinary committee set up to sanction him if found guilty, and the punishment publicised “to serve as deterrent to others.”

The group said Agada, acting as leader of a prominent faction of the APC loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Sen. George Akume, in Benue State, cross-party endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party PDP senator, Abba Moro, for the 2027 senatorial seat. It said he printed banners carrying the images of the APC presidential candidate, President Bola Tinubu, and Moro.

The petition also faulted an interview Agada granted on TVC’s Politics Tonight programme. It stated: “On the 28th September 2026, Agada also granted an interview on TVC Politics Tonight, in which he stated very clear that he has no reason to campaign for the APC gubernatorial candidate in Benue as such, he would not campaign for the re-election of the APC candidate for Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 governorship election.”

The group said the position runs against that of APC governors. “Agada’s position is contrary to the position of the Governors elected on the platform of the APC which was communicated through the Progressive Governors’ Forum and also endorsed by the 36 State chapters of the party and the FCT through the State Chairmen of the party,” the petition stated.

It added: “The interview as confirmed from the recordings of the programme, we believe his position raises serious questions of party loyalty and compliance with the obligations expected of a senior member of the APC as stated in the party’s constitution.”

The leaders also accused Agada of involvement in the Rainbow Coalition, which it said was contrary to the party’s interests. It said the APC has over twelve million members and, ahead of all other political parties, is fully prepared to win the 2027 general elections.

On the coalition, the petition said: “We are concerned about Agada’s reported activities within a group known as the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027 (the Rainbow Coalition in Benue), which is in bed with the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Labour Party (LP), the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), particularly where such activities are being conducted in a manner that opposes or undermines the APC’s officially recognised political structure and its Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue State.”

The group drew a line between support for the President and the conduct complained of. “We firmly acknowledged that supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential re-election is consistent with APC’s national interest; however, support for the President should not be used as a basis for campaigning against other candidates of the APC where the party has established candidates and recognised campaign structure.

“The central issue before the party is therefore not whether Austin Agada supports President Tinubu, but whether his activities amount to conduct that undermines the APC, its candidates, its structures or its electoral interests in Benue State or it violates the relevant section of the APC Constitution”, the said.

The stakeholders urged the NWC to examine Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether Agada’s activities amount to anti-party conduct punishable under it. It said the petition was “borne out of loyalty and commitment to party supremacy, discipline, unity and the collective interest of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

They also pressed for immediate action. “We therefore submit that, the allegations against Austin Agada as established with clear evidence as attached, appropriate sanctions provided under the Constitution should be applied immediately to serve as a deterrent to others who are planning to engage in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We consider this matter particularly serious because Austin Agada is not an ordinary member of the APC without prerequisite knowledge of the party’s constitution, structures and obligations. As a former Chairman of the APC in Benue State, he understands the importance of party supremacy, discipline, loyalty and respect for constituted party organs.

“His previous leadership position makes his public opposition to the party’s Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates a matter requiring the attention of the national leadership.”

The petition said the APC in Benue State cannot afford a situation in which senior members openly campaign for other political parties against it. “The party’s national leadership has repeatedly emphasised the importance of unity ahead of 2027 general elections, which is a welcome development. Recent public discussions concerning divisions within the Benue APC have similarly highlighted concerns about the effect of internal disputes on the party’s cohesion,” it stated.

It urged the NWC to “act within the framework of the Party Constitution to prevent indiscipline from becoming a norm as the power to discipline members is vested on it.”

The group noted that its members across the country, particularly from Benue State, have consistently complained about Agada’s open endorsement of candidates from other political parties where the APC has validly nominated candidates.

“The APC is bigger than any individual, group or political interest. Its strength depends upon discipline, loyalty, internal democracy, party supremacy and respect for the decisions of its recognized organs.

“We therefore respectfully request the National Working Committee to cause this petition to be investigated and, where the allegations are proven, ensure that the appropriate disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with the Constitution. This, in our considered view, will reinforce the principle that no member, irrespective of his previous position or present appointment, is above the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, APC”, the leaders declared.

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