Former Senate President, Ameh Ebute, has thrown his support behind Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia, amid the ongoing crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Ebute accused two senators from Zones A and B in Benue and a member of the House of Representatives from Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of forming a National Assembly Caucus. He claims they have created the impression that Governor Alia is rejecting peace efforts initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement, Ebute alleged that these lawmakers owe their election to the influence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who led the APC in Benue during their candidacies. He expressed disappointment that instead of focusing on their legislative responsibilities, they are diverting attention from governance.
“I do not expect them to form a so-called National Assembly Caucus of just three members and distract the Benue State Chief Executive,” said Ebute. “In states where a political party holds the governorship, the governor leads the party within that state.”
Ebute, also a former Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University, reiterated that the crisis is not about Governor Alia resisting peace but following established party protocols. He emphasized that, under the presidential system, the president is the party’s national leader, while governors are the party’s leaders in their states.
He concluded by urging the APC’s national leadership, headed by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to engage party elders for counsel in resolving the dispute.
