Benue ADC Holds State Stakeholders Meeting, Inaugurates Elders Council

George Okoh in Makurdi

In a bid to further strengthen inclusiveness and transparency, the Benue State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its state stakeholders’ meeting yesterday to brief members on ongoing congress programmes, activities at the national secretariat, and to inaugurate the State Elders Council, which will serve as an advisory body for the party.

In his opening remarks, the party leader, Senator Emmanuel Yisa Orker-Jev, commended the state leadership team for their efforts in positioning the party for success. He encouraged them to remain steadfast and continue their work with commitment.

Orker-Jev stated that ADC is now the leading minority party in Nigeria, not only in Benue State, and described it as a strong contender in the forthcoming elections. He dismissed the presence of a unified All Progressives Co gress (APC) in Benue, claiming that what exists are factions. 

He questioned the rationale behind individuals defecting from one APC faction to another and being celebrated as though they had joined from a different political party. 

He further said that the PDP in the state operates as a directorate of one of the APC factions, adding that ADC remains the only “virus-free” political party in Benue.

He also revealed that over 10 qualified individuals are seeking the ADC governorship ticket, alongside many aspirants for senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly positions. He added that the party remains open to new members and will not restrict anyone from joining.

Earlier, the Protem Chairman, Chief Terngu Tsegba, provided updates on the congress programme. He announced that positions would be contested at the polling unit, ward, local government, and state levels. He also informed members that nomination forms are available for all positions and advised interested individuals to visit the state party secretariat to obtain them.

Similarly, Rt. Hon. Chile Igbawua gave an update from the national secretariat. He disclosed that the National Working Committee (NWC) has received reports on policy formulation and the reviewed party constitution. 

According to him, the new constitution and policy framework position ADC as a party driven by people-oriented policies. 

He emphasised that elected officials, including governors, will operate strictly within the party’s policy guidelines and will be subject to party oversight. 

He stressed that party leadership resides within the party structure, not with elected governors.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the State Elders Council, drawn from all 23 local government areas of the state by the leadership team vice chairman Prof. David Salifu. Goodwill messages were also delivered by governorship aspirants, senatorial hopefuls, House of Representatives candidates, and State Assembly aspirants.