It is generally said that politics is the management of conflicting interests of gladiators in the political arena who are in it (politics) for one interest or the other. Situations playing themselves out in Benue State present a very delicate scenario which will test the political sagacity and the administrative skills of Governor Hyacinth Alia in the few days to come.

This is because there are indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state may be heading for an implosion following a deep crisis within the ranks of the party over zoning of party positions. Specifically, members are at daggers drawn over the vexed issue of the distribution of positions in the party.

Those in the know have maintained that the simmering acrimony has sown a seed of discord between members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party led by the State Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, on one hand, who is contending with agitations by other stakeholders for greater share in party and government offices.

The crisis came public knowledge less than 48 hours after the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, an- nounced the appointment of the member representing Mbagwa State Constituency (Ushongo II), Saater Tiseer, as the Majority Leader of the 10th Assembly.

Other positions as announced on by Speaker included Mr. Cyril Ekong of Oju, II Constituency, who emerged as the new Deputy Majority Leader, while the Majority Chief Whip, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, is from Guma 1 Constituency, with Mr. Peter Ipusu of Katsina Ala, West Constituency, as the Deputy Chief Whip.

In the same token, Dajoh also announced Mr. Audu Michael of Adoka/Ugboju Constituency as the Minority Leader while Barrister William Ortyom of Guma II Constituency, is new the Minority Whip of the Assembly.

The gale of House appointments ignited a crisis that has divided the party into two factions, with one faction claiming loyalty to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, while another faction is led by Agada, who is enjoying the support of Governor Alia.

Sources said the activities of this group are being coordinated by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Paul Biam. Analysts said the imbroglio is not unconnected to the battle for supremacy.

It was also learnt that the crisis is part of the reason for the seeming delay in the submission of the list of commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation as well as the appointment of caretaker committee chairmen into the 23 local government areas to replace those recently suspended from office by the present administration.

Findings had it that stakeholders from the local government areas belonging to the Akume faction have been holding meetings to come up with names of persons to for- ward to the party leadership for consideration to perfect and actualise their interests in the controversial zoning arithmetic.

Apparently perturbed by the turn of events, the party recently frowned at what it termed, “the acts of insubordination and usurpation of party duties.’’ The position of the party, which is in firm control of the governor, is contained in a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Morgan Ihomun. In it, the APC leadership in the state described such meetings as, “illegal and unauthorised and decisions taken at such meetings would have no binding effect on the party.”

Ihomun on behalf of the party added further that, “The party strongly frowns at this act of insubordination and usurpation of party duties and hereby states clearly that such meetings are illegal, and unauthorised and decisions taken at such fora would have no binding effect on the party.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is aware that some unscrupulous stakeholders have scheduled meetings in their local governments for zoning of positions without recourse to the leadership of the party.

“Whereas the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress empowers only party chairmen at all levels to convene such meetings, these perfidious persons have rather called the meetings without involving the leadership of the party.

The party strongly frowns at this act of insubordination and usurpation of party duties and here- by states clearly that such meetings are illegal, and unauthorised and decisions taken at such fora would have no binding effect on the party.

“The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has not communicated to the party the need for zoning of positions, therefore, those hastily convening these meetings are on their own. All faithful party members are advised to dissociate themselves from such unlawful assemblies and patiently wait for official directives on the matter”.

The party stated clearly that it shall, “henceforth, apply punitive measures on those disobeying the order of the State Working Committee that has already banned all unauthorized meetings and events in the state”. It advised party officials and all critical stakeholders to stay away from meetings that do not represent the interest of the state and the party.

Though, no word has been heard from the camp of Akume, with regards to its position on the statement, it is expected that the faction will fire its own salvo soon. What, how- ever, is clear is that the crisis would in no small way determine how politically sagacious the governor is by keeping the party together judging by the way he would manage the competing interests within the party and state.

(Saturday Telegraph)