The crisis within the All Progress Congress, APC, in Benue State took a daunting turn on Friday, March 1, when anti-riot police operatives sealed off the State party secretariat in Makurdi, the state capital and restricted the Austin Agada-led Executives from holding its scheduled political meeting slated for March 1 and 3, 2024.

The Benue State Police Command in a written communication signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Samuel Gimba on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, addressed to Mr. Agada, urged that the meetings be cancelled. 

The Command relates to a previous letter it received from Governor Hyacinth Alia prohibiting all forms of political meetings and gatherings in Benue state.

Alia had, in the written a communication dated February 27, 2024, and signed by his Chief of Staff, Paul Biam, prohibited all forms of political meetings and gatherings in the state owing to the explosive security challenge in the state.

The letter reads in part, “It is surely not news to you how the security conditions in the state have reversed due to the unprecedented influx of armed herders. You are by this information invited to enforce this order.”

While acting on the plea by Governor Alia, the Police in a correspondence to Mr. Agada, advised him to suspend the meetings.