{
  "id": 12040548,
  "title": "Rainbow Coalition: Benue APC Petitions NWC, Demands Ex-Chairman’s Suspension",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/rainbow-coalition-benue-apc-petitions-nwc-demands-ex-chairmans",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:40:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/05/rainbow-coalition-benue-apc-petitions-nwc-demands-ex-chairmans-suspension/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prominent leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have formally petitioned the party's National Working Committee (NWC), requesting the immediate suspension of former Benue State party Chairman, Austin Agada. The demand stems from allegations that Agada has been fraternizing with the \"Rainbow Coalition,\" a support group for Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike. The coalition aims to unify support across party lines to ensure President Bola Tinubu's re-election in the 2027 elections. However, the coalition's actions have created discord among some ruling party governors due to their support for candidates opposing the APC in certain states.\n\nSigned by the group's National Organising Secretary, Sa’idu Muhammad, the petition accused Agada of endorsing Senator Abba Moro from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others across party lines. The document, dated September 28, 2026, outlined Agada's controversial actions, including printing banners of Tinubu and Moro for the 2027 senatorial seat in Benue State. The party leaders, under the APC Solidarity Group, emphasized that Agada's decision to endorse Moro, while acting as a loyalist to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, was highly publicized and contradicted the party's commitment to its gubernatorial candidate, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the upcoming election.\n\nOn September 28, 2026, Agada was quoted in a TVC Politics Today interview, stating that he had no inclination to campaign for APC's gubernatorial candidate, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the 2027 governorship election. This stance, according to the petitioners, raises serious questions about Agada's party loyalty and adherence to the responsibilities expected of a senior member within the APC, as outlined in the party's constitution. The group called for the NWC to establish an investigative committee to interview Agada and, if necessary, impose disciplinary measures against him. They emphasized that Agada's actions are at odds with the positions communicated by APC governors and endorsed by the 36 State chapters of the party and the FCT through the State Chairmen.",
  "summary": "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",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Benue APC Chairman Austin Agada petitioned NWC for suspension.",
    "Agada accused of fraternizing with Rainbow Coalition supporting Nyesom Wike.",
    "Allegations of endorsing PDP Senator Abba Moro and printing mixed banners."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The petition against Austin Agada signals a rift within the APC, as some leaders move to enforce party loyalty and uniformity ahead of key elections, potentially curtailing cross-party endorsements.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}