The escalating political rift within Benue?s All Progressives Congress (APC) has found a new battleground?religious gatherings?as what should have been a serene thanksgiving service in Naka town last weekend quickly descended into chaos, with political thugs attempting to disrupt the event.

The development, which now marks the latest episode of the ongoing APC crisis in the state, highlights the disturbing trend of internal party conflicts spilling into public spaces, particularly worship centers.

The APC?s national leadership attempted to quell the tensions in August by forming a caretaker committee intended to bridge the divide between Alia and Akume?s camps. However, the committee?s formation has failed to yield lasting peace, as Akume?s faction refuses to recognise it, even taking legal action to reclaim control over the party?s state executive team.

This power struggle has moved beyond closed-door meetings to the public sphere, now manifesting in a disturbing trend of disruptions at religious functions, an environment traditionally seen as neutral ground.

The November 10th incident at the NKST church in Naka revealed how far the crisis has escalated. Thugs allegedly mobilised by the Gwer West Local Government Chairman, Victor Ormin, an ally of Governor Alia, attempted to disrupt the Thanksgiving service in honour of Senator Zam. While church members successfully resisted the intrusion, the very fact that such a disturbance could occur in a sacred setting speaks volumes about the erosion of civility in Benue?s political culture, observers noted.

The attack is part of plans to suppress opposition ? Zam

In an interview with Weekend Trust, he expressed his dismay at the growing trend of political interference in public gatherings, especially those that are meant to be apolitical.

Zam, who recounted the series of approvals he had received from the church and security authorities, said it was unfortunate that certain individuals tried to turn what should be a peaceful event into a political battleground.?

Zam did not mince words when addressing the motives behind the disruption.

?The Chairman of Gwer West, Victor Ormin, was directly involved. He was sent to disrupt the event. And, it?s no secret that he is acting on the instructions of the governor,? Zam claimed.

The senator said this interference in his event was not a singular occurrence but part of a broader trend of harassment aimed at his supporters.

Zam expressed particular concern over the use of religious spaces as venues for political confrontation, noting that such incidents not only disrupt public peace but also violate the spirit of religious freedom.

Despite the disruptions, Zam insisted that he would not be intimidated. ?I will continue to speak out and stand firm on what I believe in,? he said.

My actions were meant to prevent security breakdown ? LG Chair

While efforts to get a reaction from the governor were unsuccessful as his spokesman did not respond to calls and text messages, the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA), Ormin, clarified that his actions before and after the thanksgiving event were solely aimed at preventing a security breakdown, denying any political motives.

He explained that he assumed office just over a month ago and inherited significant security challenges in the area. Within this period, over 35 people had been killed, mostly along major roads, he said.

Ormin noted that in response to recent youth protests, he imposed a ban last Thursday on social gatherings, including thanksgiving services, to avoid gatherings that could escalate tensions. He said he communicated the ban to the police commissioner, the governor, and other relevant security agencies.

Ormin expressed surprise that a legislator of such stature would disregard the security measures. He claimed that the senator proceeded with the event, arriving at the church with a large security escort, including 10 trucks of soldiers and five trucks of policemen.

?Upon hearing that agitated youths were confronting the senator at the church, I went there to calm the situation,? Ormin said. ?Since he was already inside, I declared that after the service, he and his entourage should leave town peacefully. As a Christian, I wanted to ensure the situation didn?t escalate and to protect Gwer West. I stood firm to make sure the thanksgiving proceeded without incident, even stopping some youths from throwing stones at the church.?

When asked whether his actions were directed by the governor, Ormin stated: ?The governor was not aware of my actions except when I copied him in the letter. Anyone trying to politicise this is implying that I don?t know my rights and responsibilities as the elected chairman of the LGA.?

When asked if the incident had political undertones, given the recent disruptions of thanksgiving services in other parts of the state, Ormin dismissed such claims.

He added that despite the senator?s heavy security escort, he avoided the direct 38km Makurdi-Naka road and instead took the much longer Alaide-Taraku-Naka route. ?If the town were safe, he would have chosen the shorter path,? Ormin concluded.

Previous incidents and analysts? views

The crisis has also been marked by increased reports of such disturbances at other events across the state. Just months earlier, similar attempts to disrupt Thanksgiving services were reported in different local government areas, including Konshisha, Vandeikya, and Guma.

Each instance seems to follow a similar pattern: political loyalists clashing over factional control within the APC, with local government officials using their power to stifle rival activities.

Analysts noted that as the political rivalry between Alia and Akume spills into places of worship, it raises critical questions about the respect for citizens? rights to religious freedom and peaceful assembly.

Several political commentators have condemned the use of churches as arenas for political power struggles, urging the political class to refrain from bringing partisanship into sacred spaces.

Dr. Bem Ugoh, a social justice advocate, warned that such behaviour not only undermines the sanctity of worship but also erodes public trust in the political system. (Daily Trust)

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