Politics
APC NWC Dissolves Benue SWC, Sets Up Caretaker C’ttee Despite Court Order
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) in Benue State.
The development came on a day a Benue State High Court ordered the NWC not to tamper with the Austin Agada-led State Working Committee (SWC).
APC, in a statement posted on its official X ( formerly Twitter) handle, named Hon. Benjamin Omale as Chairman and Prof. Bem Angwe as Secretary.
Members are Hon. Richard Mzungweve, Hon. James Ornguga, Hon. Barr. Terhemen Ngbea, Hon. Helen Agaigbe and Barr. Ali Francis Adah.
“The Caretaker Committee which was inaugurated by the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, at the party’s national secretariat on Wednesday, will serve for six months”, the statement added.
However, a Benue State High Court has ordered the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) not to remove the state APC Chairman, Augustine Agada, and the current executives of the party.
A copy of the exparte order granted by Justice Theresa Igoche in motion No MH /1585m/2024 was made available to newsmen at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Wednesday.
The court particularly stopped the Dr Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from sacking the Austin Agada-led State Working Committee (SWC) until the expiration of their four-year tenure.
The Benue State chapter of the APC has been at loggerheads with Governor Hyacinth Alia over the leadership of the party in the state.
While the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is in support of the Agada-led SWC, Governor Alia, on the other hand, has thrown its weight behind the Benjamin Omakolo-led faction.
Sensing that the growing tension may not end in his favour, Mr Agada approached the court and secured a restraining order against any attempt to sack his executives.
The judge, while granting the exparte application by Mr Agada and eight others, restrained the APC from removing, replacing, or terminating their tenure until the expiration of the four-year term in office pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“I have looked at the processes filed along with the application, particularly Exhibit MT “1” attached to the affidavit in support, and I am satisfied that the application has merit,” the judge declared while granting the prayers of Mr Agada.
“In the circumstances, I hereby grant the application as prayed”, the judge said.
The court thereby ordered that the order be served on the APC forthwith, along with the motion on notice fixed for hearing on August 28.
Addressing journalists after serving the restraining order on the NWC at the party secretariat on Wednesday, Mr Agada called on the leadership of the APC to respect the court order and not cause confusion in the state.
He said, “We were elected for four years and we are not pre-empting them. But, of course, in every iota of rumour, there is an element of truth. For some time now, there have been some movements by the governor and his agents to dissolve the State Working Committee, which I think is not fair by all standards.
“Recall that the crisis as to my purported removal started as far back as February. But the NWC immediately set aside the move, saying I, Austine Agada, remain the bonafide chairman of APC as of January 31, 2024.
“Thereafter they got a court injunction to restrain me even when the NWC squashed it, using the internal mechanism of the party. The court, in its wisdom, led by the Chief Justice of Benue State, set aside that suspension. It is still valid in court. They were angry and approached the Appeal Court. The case is still in the appellate court. So I was surprised when the State Working Committee heard that Benue State deliberated as to the dissolution.
“This is the first time I am talking to the press about this. Is this how to reward the people who sacrificed a lot to bring in the governor of Benue today? You can ask Alia himself, he has never given us a Kobo since he came in as governor. “
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday in Abuja, swore in the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN).
At the ceremony held at the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.
“Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.
“This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism,” the President said.
President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.
“We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.
“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,” he added.
President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on November 8, 2025, in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.
“It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.
“To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process – from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non–violent and credible.
“No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback.
“I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the Senate’s confirmation of the INEC Chairman’s nomination on October 16.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.
The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.
The new INEC Chairman will assume office immediately.
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to take urgent and decisive measures to curb the growing trend of arbitrary rent increases across the country.
The House, which described incessant rent increment as exploitative and detrimental to citizens’ welfare, took the resolution following the adoption of a motion on notice at Thursday’s plenary, sponsored by the member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State, Bassey Akiba.
Recall that in May 2024, the House passed a similar resolution sponsored by Emmanuel Udo (PDP, Akwa Ibom), calling for rent control and landlords’ regulation within the Federal Capital Territory.
Udo’s motion advocated monthly rent payments and directed the House Committee on the FCT to propose measures to address excessive, reckless increments in rent by landlords.
Across the country, there are reports of a hike in rents, particularly in areas witnessing new government infrastructural projects such as roads and markets.
In the FCT, rents in some neighbourhoods have jumped from ?800,000 to ?2.5 million annually, for a two-bedroom flat; a development that has plunged many Nigerians into economic distress.
Akiba, while drumming support for the bill, argued that “The rise in the cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for families and businesses to meet rental obligations,” warning that “Unregulated rent increments threaten stability in the housing sector.”
While acknowledging landlords’ rights, he noted that tenants’ welfare must be equally protected to ensure fairness and economic balance.
Referencing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the welfare and security of citizens constitute the primary responsibility of government.
He also cited the United Nations Habitat Agenda, which emphasises access to adequate and affordable housing as a basic human right.
Lawmakers present at the plenary voted in support of the motion when it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session.
Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to “Intensify efforts toward providing affordable housing schemes to ease pressure on the rental market and expand access to low-cost homes.”
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to “Collaborate with state governments in implementing effective rent control policies, ensuring that public infrastructure development does not trigger unjustified rent escalations.”
The House also recommended that any rent review should not exceed 20 per cent of the existing rate, regardless of improvements in facilities.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committee on Housing and Habitat to ensure compliance and submit a report within four weeks for further legislative action.
The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration by the President at the State House yesterday, Amupitan declared that his mission was clear — to deliver free, fair, and credible elections while deepening democratic values across the nation.
During his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that achieving INEC’s mandate would hinge on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the institution.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
Addressing INEC staff and directors, the don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
Turning his attention to the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, the INEC chairman described it as a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.
“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
The don also made staff welfare a central part of his agenda, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce plays a vital role in ensuring credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.
“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the INEC chairman assured.
The chairman, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues who celebrated his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” the don said.
He concluded his remarks on a reflective note, describing his appointment as part of a divine plan.
“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine.
“If God says go, who are you to say I’m not going? I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is born. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest.
“God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.