Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Prominent leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have formally petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party demanding immediate suspension of the former Benue State party Chairman, Austin Agada, for allegedly fraternising with “Rainbow Coalition”.
The “Rainbow Coalition” is the support group of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, aimed at galvanising support across party lines for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
However, the coalition has put some governors of the ruling party in an uneasy situation because of the decision to support candidates against the APC in some states.
The petition signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Sa’idu Muhammad, accused Agada of cross party endorsement of Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others.
The petition dated 28th September, 2026, sighted by THISDAY was titled: “Petition against anti-party activities, public opposition to the APC governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates in Benue South Senatorial district, Zone C of Benue state: A conduct prejudicial to the interest of the APC at large.”
The party leaders under the auspices of APC Solidarity Group said Agada, acting as leader of a prominent faction of the APC loyal to the Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made a highly publicised move by cross-party endorsing Moro for the 2027 senatorial seat, where he boldly printed banners of Tinubu and Moro of the PDP.
The group recalled that on the 28th September, 2026, Agada granted an interview on TVC Politics Today, where he stated that he has no reason to campaign for the APC gubernatorial candidate in Benue, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 governorship election.
To this end, the group called on the NWC to constitute an investigative committee, invite Agada to appear before it, constitute a disciplinary committee to discipline him if found guilty and publicise his disciplinary measures to serve as deterrent to others.
“Agada’s position is contrary to the position of the governors elected on the platform of the APC which was communicated through the Progressives Governor’ Forum and also endorsed by the 36 State chapters of the party and the FCT through the State Chairmen of the party.
“The interview as confirmed from the recordings of the programme, we believe his position raises serious questions of party loyalty and compliance with the obligations expected of a senior member of the APC as stated in the party’s constitution,” they stated.