The leadership crisis within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified, marked by a series of accusations between Dr. Benjamin Omale, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, and Austin Agada, the former state chairman. The discord centers on Agada's recent appearance at a national party meeting in Abuja, which Omale contends was unauthorized. He accused Agada of "gatecrashing" the event to create a false impression of legitimacy. Omale emphasized that Agada is no longer recognized as the party's chairman and criticized his continued self-representation in that role.

In response, Agada refuted Omale's claims, asserting that he remains the duly elected chairman and was officially invited to the Abuja meeting. He dismissed Omale's allegations as false and an attempt to undermine his leadership. Agada's faction also questioned Omale's membership status within the party, alleging that his name does not appear in the party's register in his local ward.

This leadership tussle has its roots in a power struggle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The national leadership of the APC had previously dissolved the Agada-led state working committee and appointed a caretaker committee headed by Omale. Agada challenged this decision in the Benue State High Court, which ruled in his favor, reinstating him as chairman. Despite the court's decision, the Omale-led caretaker committee continues to manage the party's affairs in the state.

The ongoing dispute underscores the deepening divisions within the Benue APC, as both factions vie for control and legitimacy.