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The Benue State Government has strongly rejected what it described as a false and misleading publication in Leadership Newspaper alleging the existence of a parallel state Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, March 7, 2026, and signed by Chief Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communications, the government described the article by journalist Aza Msue as not only inaccurate but a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and sow discord within the party.
The statement emphasized that there was only ONE legitimate APC state Congress held at IBB Square, Makurdi, where Dr. Benjamin Omale emerged as Chairman. It stressed that the Congress was conducted in the presence of representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sam Egwu, and the National Working Committee (NWC) Election Congress Committee led by Dr. Auwal Isheye. A delegation from the NWC, headed by National Chairman Prof. Nantawae Yilwatda, also monitored the proceedings.
The government clarified the critical distinction between a formal Congress and a mere meeting or gathering: a valid party Congress requires the presence of INEC representatives and NWC officials to qualify under electoral guidelines and party rules. Any event lacking such oversight cannot be recognized as a legitimate Congress.
It described claims of a parallel Congress as a fabrication, a gross insult to the NWC under Prof. Nantawae Yilwatda, and an act of rebellion against the party’s recognized leadership. The statement noted that the NWC has already acknowledged the Omale-led State Working Committee as the authentic leadership of the APC in Benue State.
The government challenged the author and Leadership Newspaper to produce verifiable evidence—specifically, proof of INEC and NWC presence at any supposed parallel Congress. Failing this, it demanded an immediate retraction and apology for the “deliberate misleading campaign.”
The statement warned that the people of Benue would not tolerate attempts to confuse or mislead them through falsehoods about their state and party affairs. It reaffirmed confidence in the recognized leadership structure and called for unity within the APC in Benue ahead of future political engagements.
The publication has sparked reactions within political circles, with some viewing it as part of ongoing internal wrangling within the APC in the state. No response from Leadership Newspaper or the author had been received at the time of this report.
