The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman for Ehaje Council Ward 1 in Ogbadibo Native Authorities Space, Honourable Godwin Abah, has expressed concern over what he described as alleged tampering with the affirmed listing of get together executives within the space.
Talking with journalists in Otukpa, Hon Abah recalled the challenges confronted by the APC in Ogbadibo in the course of the suspension of former state chairman Austin Agada. He stated he was amongst those that helped stabilise the get together after the suspension, which adopted a petition by the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, alleging anti-party actions in the course of the 2023 normal elections.
In accordance with him, Governor Hyacinth Alia upheld the suspension till the Nationwide Working Committee dissolved the state govt and put in a caretaker committee. Regardless of strain from loyalists of the previous chairman, Abah stated the ward and native authorities executives remained united and had been later endorsed at an expanded stakeholders’ assembly chaired by Honourable Linda Agada, underneath the supervision of the DSS, Police, Civil Defence and INEC officers.
Hon Abah, nonetheless, expressed shock that shortly after the assembly, Hon Linda Agada allegedly returned to Makurdi and “started altering the identical listing that had been overtly affirmed within the presence of safety businesses and stakeholders.”
He accused her of “inserting names that had been by no means mentioned, eradicating duly endorsed officers, and even making an attempt to interchange him as Ehaje Ward 1 Chairman on claims of disrespect and disloyalty.”
He added that she additionally insinuated that the Ogbadibo APC Chairman, Hon Edwin Apochi, wouldn’t stay in workplace.
In accordance with Hon Abah, these actions mirror a troubling return to the manipulation and injustice the get together had solely lately overcome. He confused that his loyalty, and that of his colleagues, has at all times been to the APC and to Governor Alia, to not people pursuing private quarrels.
Hon Abah additional insisted that Hon Linda Agada just isn’t but a registered member of the APC in Ogbadibo. He stated she has by no means introduced herself at her ward for correct registration as required by the get together structure, arguing that it’s each morally and legally improper for her to find out who leads any ward or native authorities organ of the get together.
He described her actions as motivated by private vendetta moderately than a real curiosity in get together unity. He added that he has at all times handled her with respect, declaring that he’s sufficiently old to be her father and has by no means acted in a way that ought to provoke the allegations she now raises.
Hon Abah condemned the alteration of the affirmed stakeholders listing as dishonest, divisive and dangerous to the peace the APC has been working arduous to revive underneath Governor Alia’s management. He warned that such conduct erodes belief and dampens the arrogance of loyal members throughout Ogbadibo.
He urged Governor Alia to reassess Hon Linda Agada’s position as Head of Pointsmen in Ogbadibo so she will be able to deal with her main obligations as Particular Adviser on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Microfinance. He maintained that she doesn’t possess the temperament or the unifying capability wanted to coordinate get together affairs on the native stage.
Hon Abah additional suggested that time males shouldn’t be deployed to their very own native governments, arguing that such preparations typically encourage private bias, energy tussles and vendettas. Posting them exterior their areas, he stated, would promote equity and cut back the opportunity of battle, as exemplified by the present scenario.
In his concluding remarks, Hon Abah known as for the quick alternative of Hon Linda Agada as Head of Pointsmen in Ogbadibo, warning that her continued keep within the position will deepen division throughout the get together. He reaffirmed the loyalty of the Ogbadibo APC to Governor Alia and restated the willpower of all ward and native authorities executives to uphold unity, justice and the core values of the get together.
When DAILY POST contacted Honourable Linda Agada for her response, she dismissed the allegations, describing the APC in Ogbadibo as probably the most united within the state.
“It is rather clear that the complete APC leaders in Ogbadibo Native Authorities Space handed a vote of confidence on my management of the purpose males over the past stakeholders’ assembly, which additionally featured a stroll for Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia by the nice individuals of the Ogbadibo APC household,” she stated.
She defined that the assembly was geared toward reconciling variations amongst get together leaders and strengthening unity forward of the 2027 elections to make sure victory for Governor Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In Ogbadibo, the leaders of the get together are intact and dealing intently with me, Chief Steven Lawani, Rt Hon Joseph Ojobo, the Honourable Commissioner for Water Sources and Setting Hon Ugwu Odo, the Native Authorities Council Chairman Comrade Sunday Ajunwa, the Council Secretary Hon Eloyi Ogbe, Chief Johnson Inalegwu Agada and others too quite a few to say,” she added.
Hon Agada stated Ogbadibo APC stays essentially the most united household in Zone C, and that its stakeholders’ assembly has turn out to be a mannequin for different native governments.
She additional clarified that every ward will deal with its inner reconciliation independently, noting that some executives’ tenures or zoning preparations have expired, whereas others who handed away will likely be changed in step with get together construction.
“The current one who purportedly granted this interview was a zonal supervisory councillor between 2023 and 2025. Ordinarily, he ceased to be a ward chairman instantly he accepted that appointment,” she stated.
Hon Agada emphasised her loyalty to Governor Alia and the APC, insisting that there isn’t any disaster in Ogbadibo. She suggested members to deal with the unity and progress of the get together forward of the 2027 elections as a substitute of what she described as pointless distractions.
“I preserve that nobody will likely be allowed to intrude with different wards other than their quick wards,” she concluded.
