A political pressure group under the aegis of the Concerned Youths for Progressive Government and Development in Benue South has publicly rejected the reported emergence of Hon. Francis Otah Agbo as a contender for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Benue South, declaring its support for Hon. Chief Nelson Alapa, PhD.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the group’s coordinator, Comrade Ikwebe Oche Cornelius, said members of the organization drawn from Ado Local Government Area believe the APC should reward loyalty and long-standing commitment to the party by supporting Nelson Alapa’s aspiration.
According to the group, Alapa has remained a committed stakeholder within the APC and has contributed significantly to the growth of the party in Benue State and the North-Central region over the years.
The youth group argued that granting the party’s senatorial ticket to a recent entrant would send the wrong signal to party members who have remained loyal through challenging political periods.
The organization further criticized Hon. Francis Agbo’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, alleging that his movement into the ruling party lacked broad consultation and grassroots mobilization.
The group claimed that Agbo’s entry into the APC was motivated primarily by personal political ambition rather than a commitment to strengthening the party’s structure across Benue South.
Another major concern raised during the briefing was what the group described as Agbo’s limited political followership. The organization alleged that he failed to attract a significant number of supporters from his former political base into the APC, questioning his capacity to galvanize support ahead of future elections.
The youth group also expressed concerns over what it termed a lack of an established grassroots structure within Ado Local Government Area. Members argued that a senatorial candidate seeking to represent Benue South should possess a strong support network within his home constituency and across the district.
Addressing journalists, Comrade Cornelius maintained that the APC’s electoral prospects in the senatorial district would be strengthened by presenting a candidate with demonstrated loyalty, grassroots acceptance, and a consistent history within the party.
The organization therefore called on APC leaders at both the state and national levels to ensure that the process of selecting the party’s candidate reflects the wishes of party members and stakeholders across Benue South.
Reaffirming its position, the group formally endorsed Hon. Chief Nelson Alapa, PhD, describing him as a loyal party member with the experience, commitment, and leadership qualities required to represent the district effectively.
The group concluded by pledging to continue advocating for what it described as fairness, justice, and recognition for long-serving APC members as preparations for future political contests in Benue South gather momentum.
