By Muhammad Mamman
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, to chair a high-powered reconciliation committee aimed at resolving the deepening crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.
The President’s directive comes amid a prolonged feud between Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, over the control and leadership structure of the party in the state. The power struggle has resulted in the emergence of two parallel APC chairmen, each loyal to one of the political heavyweights.
According to the Presidency, the reconciliation panel will address the root causes of the factionalisation and escalating disunity within the Benue APC. The committee is expected to engage key stakeholders, party elders, elected officials, and grassroots representatives with the goal of restoring cohesion.
Its mandate also includes proposing long-term structural and procedural reforms, as well as strategic recommendations to ensure sustainable peace and political stability. A comprehensive report is to be submitted to President Tinubu upon completion of the assignment.
The President previously appointed Speaker Abbas to head a similar reconciliation effort in the Bauchi State chapter of the APC in August. That committee has since concluded its work and formally submitted its report to the President.
With tensions in Benue remaining high, the newly inaugurated committee is expected to begin consultations immediately.
