Social media platforms in Nigeria were abuzz on Wednesday with conflicting reports over a fresh judgment delivered by the Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal in the long-running leadership tussle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.
The dispute centers on the legitimacy of two rival factions: one led by Chief Benjamin Omale and the other by Dr. Austin Agada.
According to a post by Aho ho Terungwa, the court ruled on Chief Benjamin Omale’s appeal, determining that Agada’s tenure as APC State Chairman had ended in February. The court reportedly described the matter as academic due to supervening events and indicated that a certified true copy of the judgment would be made available soon.
In contrast, Asom D Jerry posted a different account of the same proceedings, stating that the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by the Benjamin Omale-led Executive Committee. According to his version, the court upheld the High Court judgment that recognized the Hon. Dr. Austin Agada-led APC Executive Committee as the authentic State Working Committee of the party in Benue State. He declared “Agada is back” and promised further details.
The conflicting narratives quickly sparked confusion among party members and observers, with many questioning which report to believe. Screenshots circulating on Facebook and X showed side-by-side posts highlighting the apparent contradiction, with users expressing frustration over the mixed messages from individuals close to the rival camps.
The Benue APC has been embroiled in factional battles for several years, involving parallel congresses, multiple court cases, and interventions by the national leadership of the party. The latest Court of Appeal decision appears to be another chapter in this protracted crisis, which has significant implications for the party’s unity and preparations ahead of future elections in the state.
As of the time of this report, neither the official APC national secretariat nor the court registry has issued a formal public statement releasing the full details of the judgment. Party stakeholders are anxiously awaiting the Certified True Copy to clarify the actual position of the law on the leadership of the Benue State chapter.
