Rainbow Coalition: APC Chieftains Petition NWC, Seek Suspension of Ex-Benue Chair Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

Some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of the APC Solidarity Group have petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, calling for disciplinary action against former Benue State Chairman, Austin Agada, over alleged anti-party activities.

The group, in a petition dated October 2, 2026 and addressed to the NWC through the office of the National Chairman, accused Agada of publicly supporting candidates of opposition parties in Benue State, including Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The petition, signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, is titled: “Petition Against Anti-Party Activities, Public Opposition to the APC Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly Candidates in Benue South Senatorial District, Zone C of Benue State: A Conduct Prejudicial to the Interest of the APC at Large.”

The group is asking the NWC to constitute an investigative committee to examine the allegations, invite Agada to appear before the committee and, if found culpable, constitute a disciplinary committee to sanction him.

It also urged the party leadership to make any disciplinary measures imposed on the former chairman public as a deterrent to other members who may engage in similar activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the petitioners, Agada, who they described as the leader of a prominent faction of the APC in Benue State loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, recently made a highly publicised move to endorse PDP’s Senator Abba Moro for the 2027 senatorial election.

The group alleged that banners bearing the images of APC presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Senator Moro of the PDP were printed as part of the campaign.

The petitioners further alleged that Agada, during an appearance on TVC’s Politics Tonight on September 28, 2026, stated that he had no reason to campaign for the APC governorship candidate in Benue State and would not campaign for Governor Hyacinth Alia’s re-election in 2027.

“Agada’s position is contrary to the position of the Governors elected on the platform of the APC which was communicated through the Progressive Governors’ Forum and also endorsed by the 36 State chapters of the party and the FCT through the State Chairmen of the party,” the group stated.

It added that Agada’s alleged position raised questions about his loyalty to the party and compliance with the obligations expected of a senior APC member under the party’s constitution.

The group also accused the former chairman of participating in what it described as a “Rainbow Coalition” in Benue State through the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027.

According to the petitioners, the coalition allegedly brings together members and interests associated with the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP) and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), among others.

The group stressed that while supporting President Tinubu’s 2027 presidential re-election was consistent with the APC’s national interest, such support, in its view, should not be used as a basis to campaign against other APC candidates where the party had validly nominated candidates.

“The central issue before the party is therefore not whether Austin Agada supports President Tinubu, but whether his activities amount to conduct that undermines the APC, its candidates, its structures or its electoral interests in Benue State or violate the relevant section of the APC Constitution,” the petition stated.

The petitioners urged the NWC to interrogate the relevant provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether the allegations against Agada constitute anti-party activities punishable under the party’s rules.

They said the petition was motivated by what they described as loyalty to the APC and a commitment to party supremacy, discipline, unity and the collective interest of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We therefore submit that the allegations against Austin Agada, as established with clear evidence as attached, appropriate sanctions provided under the Constitution should be applied immediately to serve as deterrent to others who are planning to engage in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the group said.

The petitioners argued that the matter deserved particular attention because Agada was a former state chairman of the party and therefore understood the importance of party supremacy, discipline, loyalty and respect for constituted party organs.

They expressed concern that the APC in Benue State could not afford a situation in which senior members openly campaign for candidates of other political parties against candidates officially nominated by the APC.

The group also referenced recent concerns over divisions within the Benue APC, arguing that unresolved internal disputes could affect the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We therefore believe that the National Working Committee should act within the framework of the Party Constitution to prevent indiscipline from becoming a norm as the power to discipline members is vested on it,” the petitioners said.

They further claimed that APC members across the country, particularly those from Benue State, had repeatedly complained about Agada’s alleged endorsement of opposition candidates in constituencies where the APC had nominated its own candidates.

The group maintained that the party was bigger than any individual, faction or political interest.

“The APC is bigger than any individual, group or political interest. Its strength depends upon discipline, loyalty, internal democracy, party supremacy and respect for the decisions of its recognised organs,” it stated.

The petitioners consequently asked the NWC to investigate the allegations and, where they are established, apply appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the APC Constitution.

They said such action would reinforce the principle that no member of the party, regardless of previous position or current appointment, was above the constitution and established structures of the All Progressives Congress.