Former House of Representatives member and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Francis Ottah Agbo, has dismissed claims of a leadership crisis in Benue State, emphasizing that Governor Hyacinth Alia remains the sole legitimate governor of the state.
Speaking during an interview with TCV Politics on Sunday, Ottah addressed the ongoing political tension in the state, particularly rumors suggesting the existence of two governors in Benue.
"Governor Hyacinth Alia is the sitting governor of Benue State. There are no two governors," he stated categorically.
The APC chieftain expressed disappointment over what he described as deliberate attempts by a small group of individuals to delegitimize Governor Alia's leadership for personal political gain.
"These hangers-on, supporters who thrive on manufactured crises are exploiting the situation. They're spreading rumours, perhaps to endear themselves to powerful individuals," Ottah explained.
Drawing on historical precedence, he highlighted how past governors, including George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, and Samuel Ortom, all exercised full control during their tenures.
"Now, Governor Alia is the man in charge, he's not just in government, he is in power," he affirmed.
Party Leadership Structure
Ottah dismissed insinuations that Governor Alia is not the leader of the APC in Benue, stressing that by party tradition and structure, the sitting governor automatically becomes the party's leader in the state.
He revealed that he personally confronted some young agitators spreading falsehoods and propaganda aimed at undermining the governor's authority.
The former lawmaker lamented that progress in the state had been interrupted by attacks from armed militias in Akawe, urging that the governor be allowed to work without political distractions.
National Assembly Intervention
Responding to calls for the National Assembly to intervene in Benue's political matters, Ottah was unambiguous in his position.
Citing respected legal opinions, including those of senior advocate Femi Falana, he declared that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional authority to summon or intervene in the affairs of a sitting governor or state assembly.
"The National Assembly has no jurisdiction over a state governor or the state assembly. They are co-equal in structure," Ottah explained. "Only in extreme circumstances like war or total legislative collapse can there be intervention, and even then, it is temporary."
He dismissed a recent protest organized by a group calling itself "Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law" as a sham, accusing its organizers of recruiting unqualified law students for political purposes.
