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 social gathering executives within the space.
Talking with journalists in Otukpa, Hon Abah recalled the challenges confronted by the APC in Ogbadibo throughout the suspension of former state chairman Austin Agada. He mentioned he was amongst those that helped stabilise the social gathering after the suspension, which adopted a petition by the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, alleging anti-party actions throughout the 2023 normal elections.
In line with him, Governor Hyacinth Alia upheld the suspension till the Nationwide Working Committee dissolved the state government and put in a caretaker committee. Regardless of strain from loyalists of the previous chairman, Abah mentioned the ward and native authorities executives remained united and have 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 companies and stakeholders.”
He accused her of “inserting names that have 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 line with Hon Abah, these actions replicate a troubling return to the manipulation and injustice the social gathering had solely not too long ago overcome. He pressured 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 is just not but a registered member of the APC in Ogbadibo. He mentioned she has by no means introduced herself at her ward for correct registration as required by the social gathering 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 social gathering.
He described her actions as motivated by private vendetta relatively than a real curiosity in social gathering unity. He added that he has at all times handled her with respect, stating 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 onerous 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 concentrate on her major 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 social gathering 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 usually encourage private bias, energy tussles and vendettas. Posting them exterior their areas, he mentioned, would promote equity and cut back the opportunity of battle, as exemplified by the present state of affairs.
In his concluding remarks, Hon Abah known as for the quick substitute of Hon Linda Agada as Head of Pointsmen in Ogbadibo, warning that her continued keep within the position will deepen division throughout the social gathering. 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 social gathering.
When DAILY POST contacted Honourable Linda Agada for her response, she dismissed the allegations, describing the APC in Ogbadibo as some of the united within the state.
“It is vitally 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 last stakeholders’ assembly, which additionally featured a stroll for Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia by the great individuals of the Ogbadibo APC household,” she mentioned.
She defined that the assembly was geared toward reconciling variations amongst social gathering 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 social gathering are intact and dealing intently with me, Chief Steven Lawani, Rt Hon Joseph Ojobo, the Honourable Commissioner for Water Assets 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 mentioned 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 can be changed according to social gathering 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 mentioned.
Hon Agada emphasised her loyalty to Governor Alia and the APC, insisting that there is no such thing as a disaster in Ogbadibo. She suggested members to concentrate on the unity and progress of the social gathering forward of the 2027 elections as an alternative of what she described as pointless distractions.
“I keep that nobody can be allowed to intrude with different wards aside from their quick wards,” she concluded.
