Benue APC chieftain condemns attack on party chairman

Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Barr Ochai Onazi, has condemned the brutal attack on the council’s acting party chairman, Comrade Josiah Owobi.

Comrade Owobi was attacked on Wednesday during his meeting with ward executives and other stakeholders of the party in Akpoge/Ogbilolo council ward of Agila District.

Reacting to the development, the former lawmaker stated that the attack was unwarranted and uncalled for.

He maintained that it is absolutely absurd for the chairman of the ruling party to convene a meeting devoid of any bad intention, only for another group within the party to cause an attack, injure people, and destroy properties.

Barr Onazi, in a statement on Friday, said the attack on the chairman was unacceptable.

He noted that the decision by the acting chairman to embark on a familiarisation tour of the ten council wards in the local government was gratifying and wondered why his visit to Akpoge/Ogbilolo ward, where he was supposed to conclude his tour, could be disrupted by hired hoodlums from the area.

According to him, if any individual or group within the party has any problem with the leadership of the party in the local government, they should follow due process by bringing the matter to the party’s attention for amicable resolution rather than taking the law into their own hands.

“We will not allow ugly and unholy behavior from some disgruntled elements to tarnish the image and reputation of our party under the leadership of Comrade Austin Agada in the State.

“We must desist from politics of acrimony and any form of violence or intimidation within our party.

“We must uphold the principles of our party and work in harmony to ensure peace and tranquility in Ado,” he said.

The APC leader cautioned that there should be no place for violence and anti-democratic manifestations in Ado, particularly in Akpoge/Ogbilolo ward in Agila district. He emphasized that the APC, under the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Austin Agada, is committed to peace and unity among members.

He warned that such uncivilized acts should not repeat themselves and called on members of the party in Akpoge/Ogbilolo council ward to remain united, see themselves as one, and shun acts capable of dividing them.