Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benue, Nigeria
A recent attempt at reconciliation between Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, led by Vice President Kassim Shettima, faced a setback as Senators Barnabas Gemade and Joseph Akaagerger were walked out of the meeting.
Truth Live News reports that Vice President Shettima, accompanied by the Benue state APC National Assembly Caucus, called for a reconciliatory meeting at the Makurdi Airport. However, Senator Titus Zam opposed the inclusion of Gemade and Akaagerger, claiming they weren’t directly involved in the crisis. Governor Alia insisted on their presence, leading to the suspension of the meeting with plans for a fresh one in Abuja.
In a parallel development, some APC chieftains in Vandeikya local government, loyal to Governor Alia, were indefinitely suspended from the party. The suspension resulted from accusations of anti-party activities, parallel party structures, and impersonation. Notably, Hon. Dennis Akura and Julius Aondohemba Jev were found guilty of forming pressure groups against the directives of the Benue State working committee of the APC.
The Vandeikya APC fact-finding and disciplinary committee detailed the guilt of the suspended members, including their engagement in dishonest practices. The suspension was sent to the APC Zonal Chairman for Zone A, Hon. Vincent Uji, and is expected to move to the state working committee in adherence to party guidelines.
This development follows a previous petition by Simeon Yongo, the chairman of the Vandeikya APC, against Governor Alia for appointing local government caretaker committees. Allegedly, Ter Kunav received a sum of N3m to excommunicate Yongo in response to the petition.