A group of prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, under the aegis of the APC Solidarity Group, has petitioned the party's National Working Committee (NWC) to take disciplinary action against former Benue State Chairman, Austin Agada. The petition, dated October 2, 2026, alleges that Agada engaged in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group accused Agada of publicly supporting candidates of opposition parties in areas where the APC has fielded its own candidates.
According to the petitioners, Agada allegedly endorsed Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 senatorial election. Banners bearing the photographs of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Moro were produced as part of the purported endorsement. The group also cited an interview allegedly granted by Agada on TVC's Politics Tonight programme on September 28, 2026, in which he reportedly said he would not campaign for the APC governorship candidate in Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
The petitioners described Agada's alleged position as a matter requiring the attention of the party's national leadership, raising questions about compliance with the obligations expected of a senior APC member. They argued that his conduct was at variance with the position of APC governors as communicated through the Progressives Governors' Forum and supported by the party's state chapters. The group also accused Agada of participating in activities associated with the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, described as the "Rainbow Coalition" in Benue.
The Rainbow Coalition brings together members of the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and other political interests. However, the petitioners distinguished between supporting President Tinubu's re-election bid and campaigning against other APC candidates. They acknowledged that supporting President Tinubu's 2027 presidential re-election is consistent with APC's national interest, but argued that this should not be used as a basis to campaign against other APC candidates.
The petitioners urged the NWC to examine the relevant provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine whether Agada's alleged activities constituted punishable anti-party conduct. They requested that the NWC constitute an investigative committee to examine the allegations and invite Agada to defend himself. If the allegations are established, the group asked that a disciplinary committee be constituted, with the outcome and sanctions made public as a deterrent to other members.
The petitioners argued that the matter deserved particular attention because Agada was a former chairman of the APC in Benue State and was expected to be familiar with the party's constitution, structures, and obligations. His previous leadership position makes his public opposition to the party's governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly candidates a matter requiring the attention of the national leadership.
The group warned that the APC in Benue State could not afford a situation where senior members allegedly campaigned for candidates of rival political parties against those officially nominated by the APC. They linked their concerns to the need for greater cohesion within the party ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that internal disputes and alleged indiscipline could affect the party's organisational structure.
Key points
- APC leaders petition NWC to sanction former Benue Chairman Austin Agada for alleged anti-party activities.
- Agada allegedly endorsed PDP candidate Senator Abba Moro for the 2027 senatorial election.
- The petitioners urged the NWC to investigate the allegations and apply sanctions in accordance with the party's constitution.
