Some prominent chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country, under a registered platform known as APC Solidarity Group, have formally petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party through the office of the National Chairman, asking for appropriate sanctions against the former Benue State Chairman, Austin Agada over alleged anti – party activities.
The petition, signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad, accused Agada of cross party endorsement of Senator Abba Moro of the PDP and others.
A acknowledgement copy of the petition dated 2nd October, 2026, is tittled “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.
Specifically, the group is asking the NWC to constitute an investigative committee, invite Austin Agada to appear before it, constitute a disciplinary committee to discipline him if found guilty and publicise his disciplinary measures to serve as deterrent to others.
The group said Austin Agada—acting as leader of a prominent faction of the APC loyal to the Secretary to the government of the Federation, SGF, Sen. George Akume in Benue State—made a highly publicized move by cross-party endorsing PDP’s Senator Abba Moro for the 2027 senatorial seat, where he boldly printed banners of APC Presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Abba Moro of the PDP.
The petition stated that “On the 28th September 2026, Agada also granted an interview on TVC PoliticsTonight, which he stated very clear that he has no reason to campaign for the APC gubernatorial candidate in Benue as such, he would not campaign for the re-election of the APC candidate for Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 governorship election.
“Agada’s position is contrary to the position of the Governors elected in the platform of the APC which was communicated through the Progressives Governor’ Forum and also endorsed by the 36 State chapters of the party and the FCT through the State Chairmen of the party.
“The interview as confirmed from the recordings of the programme, we believe his position raises serious question of party loyalty and compliance with the obligations expected of a senior member of the APC as stated in the party’s constitution.”
The APC group also accussed Agada of involving in Rainbow Coalition, contrary to the interest of the party. APC has over twelve million members and its ahead of all other political parties, fully prepared to win the 2027 general elections.
“We are further concerned about Agada’s reported activities within a group known as the Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, (the Rainbow Coalition in Benue) which is in bed with the peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The Social Democratic Party, SDP, the Labour Party, LP, the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC particularly where such activities are being conducted in a manner that opposes or undermines the APC’s officially recognized political structure and its Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue State.
“We firmly acknowledged that supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential re-election is consistent with APC’s national interest, however, support for the President should not be used as a basis for campaigning against other candidate of the APC where the party has established candidates and recognized campaign structure.
“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 it violate the relevant section of the APC Constitution.”
While urging the National Working Committee to interrogate the relevant provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution and determine weather the activities of Austin Agada as stated above amount to anti- party activities and are punishable under the relevant section of the party Constitution, the group declared that the petition is borne out of loyalty and commitment to party supremacy, discipline, unity and the collective interest of the APC ahead of the 2027 general 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.
“We consider this matter particularly serious because Austin Agada is not an ordinary member of the APC without prerequisite knowledge of the party’s constitution, structures and obligations.
“As a former Chairman of the APC in Benue State, he understands the importance of party supremacy, discipline, loyalty and respect for constituted party organs.
“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 petition stated that APC in Benue State cannot afford a situation in which senior members openly campaign for other political parties against the APC
“The party’s national leadership has repeatedly emphasized the importance of unity ahead of 2027 general elections which is a welcome development. Recent public discussions concerning divisions within the Benue APC have similarly highlighted concerns about the effect of internal disputes on the party’s cohesion.
“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 group noted that it’s members across the country particularly from Benue State have complained consistently about the activities of the former APC Chairman, Benue State chapter, Austin Agada over his open endorsement of candidates of other political parties where APC has validly nominated candidates.
“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 recognized organs.
“We therefore respectfully request the National Working Committee to cause this petition to be investigated and, where the allegations are proven, ensure that the appropriate disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with the Constitution.
“This, in our considered view, will reinforce the principle that no member, irrespective of his previous position or present appointment, is above the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, APC.”